Kyrgyzstan
Sandwiched in between Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and China, Kyrgyzstan was the first central Asian nation to break from the former USSR; today its government is the closest to a western-style democracy in the region.
Kyrgyzstan is also the poorest nation in the area, with an economy largely based on agriculture - wool, tobacco and cotton. More than half the land area lies on a high plain, roughly 6,000 feet above sea level. Its five million inhabitants speak Kyrgyz (the official language) and Russian. About 60% claim to be Muslim, but the majority of these seem to adhere to a "folk Islam" which includes many animistic beliefs.
The nearly 12% of the population who
are Christians are primarily of European heritage. During World War II, German Christians
living in Russia were forced to relocate to the sparely settled plains of central Asia. They established the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Kyrgyzstan.
Following the break-up of the Soviet Union, a sizeable number of these people returned to Germany. Today, 17 congregations remain, with
about 1,000 members.
These believers know that the future of the church depends upon reaching the Kirghiz and Russian people with the message of the gospel. Hampered by a lack of training during 75 years of Communist rule, church leaders contacted Liebenzell Mission in in Germany and requested missionaries.
During the past year, Liebenzell has dispatched a number of short-term workers to conducted Bible and theological training for pastors and church leaders. In July missionaries Andreas and Christina Kraft arrived to conduct a ministry of evangelism and church development.
The German-speaking church knows that its future lies with the Russian and Kyrgyz population. They desire to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ.
Prayer Requests:
• Leadership training and discipleship among believers
• Boldness for believers to witness
• Reaching rural populations with the gospel
Recent News
• Liebenzell strengthens commitment to Kyrgyz ministry (15 Feb., 08)