Central Asia: Rugged Faith in Hostile Climates
“You remembered us.”
These powerful words were spoken by a believer from Central Asia in acknowledgement that we not only returned to visit but also told of ongoing prayers for Central Asia within our churches.
The words acknowledge something else; they have, at times, felt forgotten.
Being a Christian in Central Asia is challenging. With a population estimated around 83.7 million, only about .3% are evangelical Christians. Believers face increasing persecution from authorities and ever-present social pressure from their communities. Most Central Asian countries are constitutionally secular, and Christians often encounter discrimination or even violence. Moreover, conversion to Christianity from Islam is illegal and can result in being rejected by one’s own family or expulsion from one’s community.
Central Asia is not just a hard place to be a Christian; it is also a hard place to be a church leader. The soil of Central Asia is hardened. In many places, people’s minds are closed. Growth is slow. The work is discouraging.
In 2025, a new law in one Central Asian country outlined how a church must officially register and limited church activities to the church building itself. If such regulations weren’t challenging enough, the government incentivizes whistleblowing, leading to a lack of trust and suspicion within communities. Going against these new regulations could lead to a fine or closure of the church.
How does the church respond to such persecution and limitations?
Some might expect the church to maintain the status quo to survive, but for believers in Central Asia, that isn’t an option. The message they proclaim is too important.
And so, they keep being the church. They get creative. They lean on each other. And they take advantage of every opportunity they are given.
The Outreach Foundation Associate Director, Kimmy Briggs (right), spent time with friends recently while on a trip to meet with and share words of prayer with Christians from Central Asia.
In one country, where the government is generally more tolerant of the church, and the community more open to the Gospel, church leaders face a different struggle: a lack of training. According to one pastor, only two or three pastors in the country have formal training. That might not seem like a big deal now, but if this country were to follow the path of other Central Asian countries, it is only a matter of time before church leaders will need documented training to teach, preach, and lead. To plan for that potential future, one church began hosting an educational program through the Tavriski Christian Institute in Ukraine. Now more than 20 students are enrolled in the five-year program learning to lead the church as it exists now, while earning a diploma that could become required to work in the church of the future.
Throughout Central Asia, the Evangelical Alliance of Central Asia is working to unite churches and pastors with the knowledge that they can accomplish more by working together. In 2025, the Alliance hosted a conference for pastors, with around 250 in attendance. For pastors and leaders facing burnout or wondering if their efforts are worth it, the conference was a chance to connect with God and one another. Many left renewed and encouraged, ready to return to their own communities and press on.
The Evangelical Alliance of Central Asia plans to host another conference in 2026 in a different location in hopes of reaching more pastors.
The Impact
Rather than surviving, the church in Central Asia longs to thrive. Despite the difficult circumstances, the church continues with a hope-filled vision for the future. Opportunities abound there, including training, equipping, and encouraging pastors and leaders, creatively reaching communities through holistic mission, and helping bring healing to individuals and families. In its various forms, the goal is clear: building the church in Central Asia. Your prayers and financial gifts fuel this vision of a thriving and resilient church.
THE OPPORTUNITY
Help us remember the church in Central Asia.
Pray for Central Asia and our partners on the ground:
for the strength and resilience of the church in Central Asia despite the difficult circumstances
for unity of the church, for connections, and a shared vision for spreading the Gospel
for the training and equipping of this generation of leaders and raising up of future leaders
for ongoing dialogue between church and state, and wisdom for leaders
Give generously.
Our gifts:
make it possible for pastors to receive training and learn how to be effective witnesses to native populations
fuel holistic mission efforts in Kyrgyzstan that reach more than 10,000 people outside the church
make it possible for children to attend summer camps where they first hear the gospel of Jesus Christ
strengthen ministries that bring healing amidst the rampant trafficking of women and children
All gifts of any size are welcome. You may make a gift by sending a check to the address below with “Central Asia” on the memo line, or by visiting our GIVE page: www.theoutreachfoundation.org and selecting “Central Asia Initiative” from the fund menu.
