Unlike the nomadic roots of its Central Asian neighbors, Uzbekistan’s roots are agrarian—as evidenced by its large population, old architecture, and immense agricultural diversity and output. Eventually conquered by Russia and later becoming a Soviet state, the land was exploited and left with water problems and struggling soil. However, Uzbekistan has maintained its status as a Central Asian powerhouse with an abundance of cotton, gold, produce, and energy set for export each year. By contrast, the country remains marked by corruption, authoritarianism, religious persecution, child labor, and human trafficking issues. It is a heartbreakingly dark place in need of spiritual renewal.

The Soviet Union also left a lasting mark on governance. Despite being independent and predominantly Muslim, Uzbekistan has remained under secular autocratic rule. The government actively controls and suppresses all religion by denying registration for religious communities, implementing restrictions and bans on religious literature, and jailing dissidents on a regular basis—enforced, unsurprisingly, under the usual vague definition of “religious extremism.” Life for converts from Islam to Christianity is especially difficult as they are often ostracized and persecuted by their Muslim families and communities, in addition to governmental oppression. Accordingly, Uzbekistan ranks 21st on the Open Doors World Watch List of the 50 worst countries in the world for persecuting Christians. Muslims make up more than 83 percent of the total population in Uzbekistan, while Christians comprise a maximum of 2 percent. Less than one tenth of Christians are evangelical.

Despite these challenges and needing to operate underground, our Mission Eurasia team and ministry partners continue to report promising progress as more people hear the Good News and seek Christian community and Bible training. In 2023, you supported our School Without Walls ministry training for 97 enrolled leaders, 94 of whom graduated from the full two-year program. Please pray for this movement of God to deepen and widen its reach.