Kyrgyzstan

Partner with Local Missionaries in Kyrgyzstan

Located in the 10/40 Window

A landlocked, mountainous country, Kyrgyzstan is located in Central Asia, west of China and south of Kazakhstan; it also borders Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. The region now known as Kyrgyzstan was part of the Silk Road, a trade route connecting Eastern and Western civilizations. In 1991, after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Kyrgyzstan achieved independence.

The name Kyrgyzstan means “land of the forty tribes,” referring to 40 clans supposedly united by a legendary hero named Manas who led them to victory against the Uyghurs. Kyrgyzstan’s flag is a red field with a yellow sun having 40 rays to represent this legend. A red ring crossed by two sets of three lines in the center of the sun represent the crown of a traditional Kyrgyz yurt, a felt tent utilized by past and present nomadic herders.

Kyrgyzstan’s economy is dominated by minerals extraction, agriculture, and reliance on remittances from citizens working abroad; remittances from Kyrgyz workers account for more than one-fourth of Kyrgyzstan’s GDP. Cotton, wool, and meat are the main agricultural products. Other exports include mercury, uranium, natural gas, and gold. One of Kyrgyzstan’s mines has produced over 300 tons of gold.

Most of Kyrgyzstan’s population lives in rural areas. The densest population settlement is in the tree-lined capital city of Bishkek. The native Kyrgyz comprise nearly three-fourths of the population, followed by the Uzbeks and Russians, and are nearly 100 percent Muslim. As they have for centuries, many Kyrgyz still live as nomadic herders of sheep, goats, yaks, horses, and camels.

While the Soviets tried to purge Islam from Kyrgyz culture in their push to institute atheism, the Kyrgyz doubled down; since 1990, they have built over 3,000 new mosques. Kyrgyz Muslim beliefs are intermingled with shamanism, and many look to mediums for help. A Kyrgyz who becomes a Christian is viewed as a traitor to their identity and family.

The leader of an indigenous ministry in Kyrgyzstan oversees three congregations in three locations throughout the country. He and his coworkers preached the gospel in every village in one province and led eight people to Christ. In addition to evangelism, ministry workers have provided desperately needed food to poor Kyrgyz who lost their jobs during COVID-19 lockdowns and saw skyrocketing food prices during border closures.

Medical aid is also a huge need, with a local hospital approaching the ministry to request help. Support for this work will help the ministry to provide the hospital with needed supplies and build relationships with the community. The ministry also requests assistance to start a youth sports program to make inroads into Muslim villages and help for its rehabilitation center for drug and alcohol addicts where 12 residents are presently recovering. Part of the support will be used to complete construction on an automobile repair shop to provide gainful employment to residents who complete the rehabilitation program. The ministry leader has personal relationships with several former addicts who are now pastors and missionaries.

Sources: Joshua Project, CIA World Factbook, Wikipedia

6.5 million

Population

0.33%

Evangelical Population:

People Groups:

Unreached People Groups:

How to Pray for Kyrgyzstan

Pray that God would demolish the stronghold of Islam throughout this country, opening the eyes of many to salvation in Jesus Christ.
Pray for wisdom and courage for indigenous missionaries who are bravely sharing the gospel in a culture that is very closed and resistant.
Pray for help and provision for indigenous missionaries as they have little local support for their holistic gospel outreach.

More stories from Kyrgyzstan

Encourage the Lost Toward God’s Redemptive Love in Kyrgyzstan

A 14-year-old girl came to a local ministry’s sports club every week but never participated in the activities, nor would she talk with anyone there. One day, however, she opened up at last to a missionary and admitted she was involved in the occult. Once she began hearing about Jesus, she knew she had chosen the wrong path. Over time, the girl has opened up even more. She smiles and talks with others. She has even begun to pray. “She tries to follow the path that our Lord offers us,” the ministry leader said. Donations support such gospel outreach.

Shepherd Children Toward the Cross in Kyrgyzstan

Two girls, ages 7 and 10, attended a day camp held by a local ministry and, because they were from out of town, they stayed at the home of one of the camp mentors. As a result, the girls spent time each evening discussing the gospel with the mentor. "They asked many questions about Jesus, and they also learned for the first time that you can pray and talk to God," the ministry leader said. "The girls are both from unbelieving families, but they learned a lot about Jesus at camp. Thank God!" Your donations of $30 support such outreach to children.

Help Plant Gospel Seeds in Kyrgyzstan

In the central Asian country that is 0.30 percent evangelical Christian, children have experienced the love of Christ. Local missionaries started working in a new village where kids received gift boxes and heard the gospel for the first time – as did their parents. Children in the 94-percent Muslim country enjoy a weekly time of games, meals, prayer and Bible readings. At a recent children’s camp in another town, one boy with a closed attitude showed he was looking for God, and he became more open, joyful and hopeful. He has stayed in touch with workers. Donations are sought to break up such rocky soil for the gospel. Pray that gospel seeds will grow up into kingdom branches.

Lift Up Persecuted Believers in Kyrgyzstan

The leader of a native ministry visited a married couple in a remote village who had been ostracized by their family and neighbors for their Christian beliefs. When the couple sought to join their cow to a local herd, the herdsmen forbade it. When they need water for their garden, they are prohibited from getting it. “When I hear some of our people share what they were persecuted for, I just cry and weep,” said the ministry leader. Still, the couple maintains their faith in Christ, trusting that He will give them the strength to withstand these hardships. Funds help support native ministries as they disciple persecuted believers. Pray for the steadfastness of the persecuted church.

Minister To Young Adults in Kyrgyzstan

A teenage boy attended a weekly outreach event for teens organized by a local ministry because it seemed like a fun way to pass the time. Each Saturday, the ministry rented a soccer field for the teens to play soccer together. Then, they came together at church to sing, fellowship, and talk about God. The boy was one of 20 teens who regularly attended, and soon, God began to move in his heart. Three years later, he was baptized. Now, he is part of a leadership group that works with teens and young people. Your gift of $30 or $60 helps fund outreach events such as these. Pray for teens to turn their hearts toward Christ.

Share The Joy Of Jesus in Kyrgyzstan

A young man reluctantly agreed to accompany his friends on a ski trip organized by a native ministry, but ministry workers learned later that the man had been taught so many false things about Christians that he was afraid to spend time with believers. By the end of the trip, however, he realized what he had been taught was false, and he began to ask questions of the workers. When they returned from the trip, he began to attend church. Donations of $25 or $50 support outreach opportunities such as this. Pray that unbelievers’ hearts will be open to Christ’s salvation.