After the Soviet Union dissolved, democratic reform in newly independent Georgia seemed promising. However, corruption, inter-ethnic conflict, and external political conflict hindered progress and perpetuated unrest. In 2008, Russia attacked and invaded Georgia in support of breakaway movements in Abkhazia and South Ossetia, two disputed provinces. Hundreds of lives were lost and roughly 200,000 were displaced. To this day, Russia maintains a regional military presence, political pressure, and support of the breakaway territories.

Economically, Georgia has a healthy relationship with the European Union (EU), even applying for membership in 2022. However, worldwide COVID-19 restrictions stifled tourism, transportation, and construction. Georgia’s parliament also considered a bill in March 2023 that classified organizations receiving foreign funding as “foreign agents”—mimicking oppressive laws from Russia and other oppressive countries. Naturally, it was met with protest and failed, but it remains a looming question and could affect Georgia’s EU bid.

While Georgia’s constitution protects religious liberty, it is unequally applied. Though Georgia is roughly 80 percent Christian, the vast majority belong to the Georgian Orthodox Church—more of an influential political and cultural institution than a spiritual one. Only 1.35 percent of Christians are evangelical. The remaining population consists of less than 10 percent each of Muslims and non-religious, and less than one percent of other religions. The Georgian Orthodox Church enjoys significant public benefits while non-Orthodox communities face discrimination by way of illegal censorship, building permit rejections, historical property disputes, suppression of celebrations, and obstacles or outright bans against training clergy. Other harassment against non-Orthodox communities often goes unpunished.

With that said, our SWW has huge potential to break through with the gospel. In 2023, you supported our SWW ministry training for 95 enrolled leaders, 29 of whom graduated from the full two-year program. Despite the challenges in their nation’s religious freedom landscape, these young leaders are bringing the hope of Christ to their countrymen.