About Our Partners
Central Asia
Our newest hard area in which to shine God’s light will take us into several countries that form Central Asia. These are the “-istans” and were once part of the USSR. Sadly, Russia has begun exerting tremendous pressure in these countries, making life challenging for national Christians living there. Their hope for partnership with us comes at an important time. In God’s perfect timing, the war in Ukraine led to this amazing development. Central Asia is the mission field for Ukrainian Christians and despite the war with Russia, their mission has continued.
To visit Central Asia seems like a visit to South Korea, because 4th generation Koreans now live there. This area was a primary sending location for South Korean missionaries, many of whom were Presbyterians. While each country has its own national language, the lingua franca of the region is Russian. Central Asia is marked by gorgeous mountains and is a major tourist destination for travelers from Asia and Europe. Yet many of its problems arise from the significant drug trade along the Silk Road region between Afghanistan and Russia.
Central Asia is inhabited by many different people groups, which we refer to as “nationals,” each with its own unique language, culture, and food. Given the significant history and proximity to Russia, there are many Russian expats as well. The USSR brought roads and schools to this region so allegiance to Russia runs high.
The religious context is complex, but here is a high-level perspective: The several countries comprising Central Asia are Muslim majority. Russian Orthodox and Catholic faiths are the dominate non-majority religious traditions. Other Christian traditions exist, but these are not available to the national population. It is illegal for nationals to be part of a non-Muslim tradition. The consequences of doing so are severe, including long term imprisonment, labor camps, and various financial consequences.
The pressure lessened in 2016, but recently there has been an escalation of pressure. For example, in Uzbekistan every church now has multiple facial recognition cameras installed by the government! In Kyrgyzstan, new laws as of January 2025 require churches to allow only those with special certification to have any function in a church. Failure to comply results in pastors being arrested and sharp penalties. Spies are everywhere (even in restaurants and coffee shops), and informants are paid money to notify the government of suspicious activity. It is a difficult situation!
So, how will The Outreach Foundation help in a way that is safe and doesn’t compromise the courageous believers who live there and are multiplying the church despite the challenges?
Our work in the Persian diaspora will expand to include the Persian-speaking national communities in Tajikistan and Azerbaijan.
Our primary partners for this regional work are Ukrainian Evangelical Theological Seminary (UETS) in Kyiv, Ukraine, and Tavriski Christian Institute, located there. They are guiding our steps through trusted relationships in Central Asia.
We have "guides” from 13 denominations who form a unique alliance in Central Asia. This is a trusted group of pastors who have invited us to meet.
We will encourage the work of a Christian NGO that is closely related to UETS and has connections with more than 200 projects that provide water, small business loans, and other holistic forms of God’s work.
Intrigued? We hope so! We will start providing partner updates on a regular basis. These will provide stories and opportunities for fueling the work God is doing there.
