40Kyrgyzstan

Christians in Kyrgyzstan continue to face strong opposition from their families and communities, while hostility from the authorities has intensified with the introduction of tighter religious controls.

The repercussions facing those who have courageously left Islam to follow Jesus can be severe. They can include house arrest and physical violence, and the children of converts can encounter bullying at school. Imams are sometimes enlisted to preach against converts, which can lead to their expulsion from the community. In some parts of the country, the influence of the local Muslim community may mean that vulnerable Christians can’t rely on local authorities for protection and justice.

New laws governing religion have stifled the expression of local churches, including unattainable requirements for simply registering a church. Protestant groups – who can be deemed “extremist” – are especially affected. Russian Orthodox churches are largely left alone because of their more insular nature.

Meet Ruslan

“That day, I understood that even though I didn’t know the language, I was inspired by the Holy.
Spirit to pray this way. I knew it was important to pray for that man, and God spoke to Dany’s heart through the prayer.”

Ruslan* (not his real name) is a pastor in a region of Central Asia that has a strong Islamic influence. He travels across the region as a missionary. In this story, a man gave his life to Jesus after Ruslan prayed, which the man understood in his native Russian language.

What does Open Doors do to help?

Open Doors strengthens the Church in Central Asia through numerous initiatives, including literature distribution, prayer support, presence ministry, livelihood support and women’s ministries.