Turkmenistan is one of our most difficult ministry fields, ranking 26th on the 2023 Open Doors World Watch List of the 50 worst countries for Christian persecution. The U.S. government classifies Turkmenistan as a “Country of Particular Concern,” and Human Rights Watch condemns it as one of the most repressive and isolated countries in the world. Our colleagues there regularly face harassment and threats of arrest and imprisonment.

After gaining independence from the Soviet Union, Turkmenistan has essentially remained an authoritarian cult of personality. The first president was “president for life” until his death in 2006, and the next president—a former official under the first president—suspiciously won his second and third elections with almost the entire vote. After ending his presidency in 2022, his son won the ensuing election. Despite possessing ten percent of the world’s natural gas reserves and tremendous oil resources, widespread corruption and Islam keep Turkmenistan’s people in both physical and spiritual poverty. These factors have caused massive emigration; however, the government has also actively prevented nationals from leaving.

Religiously, Turkmenistan is 94 percent Muslim, roughly four percent Christian—mostly Russian Orthodox—and roughly two percent non-religious. Approximately one tenth of one percent of the population are evangelical Christian. Religious registration is highly prohibitive, and all religious literature is censored. Therefore, most evangelical church activity takes place underground.

Despite these harsh conditions, you helped Mission Eurasia introduce the School Without Walls (SWW) program in Turkmenistan nearly a decade ago. Fast forward to 2023 and you are still continually supporting our SWW training: this year for 20 leaders, 17 of whom graduated from the full two-year program. Please pray for the safety and growth of these leaders and their families who are reaching their neighbors and relatives with the gospel and helping edify and grow the local church.