Kyrgyzstan
May 28th

“On the day of your power, the young men of Kyrgyzstan come to you like the dew of the morning!”

Your troops will be willing on your day of battle. Arrayed in holy splendor, your young men will come to you like dew from the morning’s womb. (Psalm 110:3,NIV)

》 Country Profile

Continent | Central Asia
Population | 6.07 million
Area | 199,951㎢, Located on the western border of China in the interior of Central Asia.
Capital City | Bishkek (1.08 million)
People Groups | Total 39 groups, Kyrgyz 72.8%, Uzbeks 14.6%, Russians 5.2%, Dungans 1.1%, Uyghurs 0.9%, Koreans 17,000
People Groups Unreached | 28
Offical Language(s) | Kyrgyz, Russian
Total Languages | 34
Bible Translations | Completed 23, New Testament 5, Partial 4
Religion | Christianity 3.7% (Protestant 0.5%, Orthodox 3%), Islam 90%, others 3% Evangelicals 0.3% Approximately 20,000 people

》 About Kyrgyzstan

In the 13th century, Kyrgyzstan was conquered by the Mongol Yuan Empire under Genghis Khan. By the mid-18th century, it became a vassal state under both the Qing Dynasty and the Kokand Khanate. From 1864 onward, the Russian Empire took control of the region. Following the Russian Revolution in 1917, Kyrgyzstan was incorporated into Turkestan before declaring independence in 1991. In 1989, disputes over land and water rights along the border with Tajikistan led to violent clashes, resulting in fatalities. Tajikistan continues to demand border adjustments. In 1990, the Osh region of Kyrgyzstan, located within the Ferghana Valley, witnessed riots between ethnic Kyrgyz and Uzbeks over disputes regarding housing allocations. Widespread corruption, governmental inefficiency, oppression, and economic hardship have led to nationwide protests in 2005, 2010, and 2020, culminating in the resignation of presidents. Kyrgyzstan is considered the only democratic government in Central Asia. In 2021, Sadyr Japarov was elected president. The economy heavily relies on agriculture, with additional potential in mining, hydropower, and tourism. Gold constitutes 38% of exports, followed by clothing (7%) and vegetables (5%). Key products include meat, wool, leather, cotton, silk, and tobacco. However, economic progress is stymied by corruption, lack of administrative transparency, limited industrial diversification, and challenges in securing foreign aid and investment.

High unemployment and widespread poverty have driven hundreds of thousands of Kyrgyz people to work as migrants in Russia and Kazakhstan, with remittances accounting for over one-fourth of the GDP. Rural-to-urban migration has increased the population in slums, worsening social issues such as alcoholism, drug trafficking, gambling, and prostitution, further deepening societal challenges. Kyrgyzstan’s GDP per capita is approximately $4,700.

》 Scripture Focus

》 Prayer Points

1. Kyrgyzstan claims to allow religious freedom, but its deep-rooted Islamic traditions and lifestyle present significant challenges to missionary work. After gaining independence, many foreign missionaries arrived, leading to notable growth in Protestant denominations, including charismatic churches, in addition to the existing Orthodox Church. Christians make up 3.7% of the population, with the majority being Orthodox and approximately 20,000 evangelicals.

The government takes a strict stance against any religion that could cause social or political instability, including Protestantism. A religious law requires obtaining written consent from at least 200 local citizens to establish a church. Despite these restrictions, Kyrgyz churches have more potential for growth compared to neighboring countries. Let us pray for the Lord to break the powers and authorities hindering the gospel in Kyrgyzstan so that its people may experience great salvation and drink from the streams of the gospel.

2. Foreign missionaries from Asia, the Americas, and Europe have been actively involved in self-supporting missions and church planting. Korean missionaries have primarily established churches among ethnic Koreans (Koryo-saram), focusing on theological training and discipleship, and have now extended their outreach to Kyrgyz people. Though few, faithful Kyrgyz Christian leaders are emerging, and there is growing interest in missions among local ethnic groups and throughout Central Asia. Let us praise God for mission associations forming within churches and for the sending of workers to neighboring countries.

Pray for Kyrgyz churches and missionaries to unite in unceasing prayer, asking the Lord to destroy the schemes of Satan that hinder the spread of the gospel. May the churches rise as eternal priests in the order of Melchizedek, bringing the message of salvation to this nation and the world.

3.Kyrgyzstan’s hope lies in its youth. The capital, Bishkek, is home to over 190 universities, and young people make up a significant portion of the population. However, secularism and immorality dominate educational settings, and high unemployment rates are causing young people to lose hope. Many of them emigrate to Russia either for education or to earn money. Pray that Kyrgyz youth will hear the message of the cross, believe, and dedicate themselves joyfully to the Lord. Additionally, converts to Christianity from Islamic cultural backgrounds sometimes revert to Islam out of fear—such as the lack of burial sites for Christians or concerns about grave desecration. Pray that these individuals will recognize the lies and deceptions of Islam and traditional society and stand firm in their faith, longing for eternity beyond death.

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