AFWIS Joins Operation World in Prayer for the Kyrgyz Republic - Asia

Published on Operation World (http://www.operationworld.org)

Home > Aug 08: Kyrgyzstan

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Aug 08: Kyrgyzstan

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Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyz Republic

Asia

See Prayer Information

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.
     For an additional 6 Challenges for Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.

More Information

The Operation World book, CD-ROM, and DVD-ROM provide far more information and fuel for prayer for the people of Kyrgyzstan.