Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyz Republic
Asia
Geography
Area: 198,500 sq km
Central Asian state in Tien Shan mountain range bordering on China, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Most land area is mountainous.
Population: 5,550,239 Annual Growth: 1.23%
Capital: Bishkek Urbanites: 36.6%
HDI Rank: 120 of 182 (UN Human Development Reports 2009)
Peoples
Peoples: 47 (57% unreached)
All peoples Unreached Peoples Prayer Card
Official language: Krgyz; Russian Languages: 32 All languages
Religion
Largest Religion: Muslim
|
Religion |
|
Pop % |
Ann Gr |
| Christians | 292,498 | 5.27 | -1.2 |
| Evangelicals | 40,152 | 0.7 | 4.3 |
| Muslim | 4,924,727 | 88.73 |
Challenges for Prayer
Expatriate Christians number several hundred from Asia, the Americas and Europe. Most are tentmakers and need to minister with discretion. Missionaries need to work with the goal of developing the local church so that it is strong and has a healthy relationship with the global body of Christ. Good relationships between national and expatriate believers is also a key; several informal networks focus on unity and strategy for all believers working for God’s Kingdom in Kyrgyzstan.
Persecution is partly the consequence of church growth and evangelism in a Muslim land. The government is taking a harder line toward any religious expression which it feels may cause social or political instability, and this includes evangelicals. Registration is commonly denied to churches, and expatriate work permits are limited. Beyond growing government hostility, resurgent Islamism targets evangelicals with intimidation, property destruction and physical violence. Scaremongering by Muslims, claiming astronomical and untrue growth in the churches, helps little. Pray for believers to stand firm and demonstrate the power and love of Christ.
