Kazakhstan is a Muslim-majority country like none other. When former Soviet Socialist Republics were dissolving in 1990-91, this was the country missionaries went hoping for easy opportunities. The Kazakhs don’t have a culture saturated by Islam, like most others in Central Asia. Their culture is much more like the Mongolians who came during the 1200s.

That does not mean that there is no opposition to the spread of the gospel in Kazakhstan. Twenty years ago, missionaries won, equipped, and discipled Mongolian believers. They established a church that now has 200 members, most of whom have a Muslim background. Twice the fledgling believers were forced out of their building because of pressure from Islamists. There were church raids and the prosecution of church leaders.

Late last year, the government became more favorable to Kazakh Christian Believers. Believers can now finish building a church location, and there will be worship services in 2022.

Sources

• Barnabas Fund, December 2021

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