Georgia
Jun 2nd

“Take delight in the Lord, O Georgia; and he will give you the desires of your heart!”

Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.(Psalms 37:4, NIV)

》 Country Profile

Continent | Central Asia
Population | 4.93 million
Area | 69,700㎢ (2/3 the size of Korea) A Black Sea coastal country located in the Caucasus region between southern Russia and Turkey.
Capital City | Tbilisi (1.08 million people)
People Groups | Total 40 groups, Caucasians (Georgians 72.2%, Mingrelians 7.8%), Armenians 4.2%, Turks (Azeris 5.9%), Iranian Medes (Ossetians 0.3%)
People Groups Unreached | 16 (6.9% of the population)
Official Language(s) | Georgian
Total Languages | 37
Bible Translations | Completed 21, New Testament 3, Partial 3
Religion |Christian 80.4% (Protestant 1.1%, Orthodox 77.6%), Non-religious 9.7%, Muslims 9.2% Evangelicals 1.4% (69,000 people)
 

》 About Georgia

Georgia was once known as Colchis and became a Greek colony in the 6th century BC. In 66 BC, it was conquered by the Roman Empire, and for over 700 years, the Caucasus region, including Georgia, became a battleground between Rome and Persia. In the 3rd century AD, it became the Kingdom of Kartli, and Christianity was recognized as the state religion in the 330s. After the late 15th century, Georgia came under the rule of the Ottoman Empire (Turkey), with parts of the country occupied by the Persian Empire, while other parts were controlled by Russia and the Turkish Empire. In 1870, Russia completely seized control of Georgia (known in Russian as “Gruziya”) from Turkey and ruled over it. In 1918, Georgia declared itself a republic and formed alliances with European countries, receiving recognition from 22 nations. However, in 1920, it was occupied by the Soviet Union and forcibly annexed in 1922. In 1989, Georgia staged protests demanding independence and opposing Soviet rule, eventually declaring independence in 1991. In 1995, Eduard Shevardnadze became president, but in 2003, his authoritarian regime was overthrown in the “Rose Revolution.” Georgia later faced a major crisis during its war with Russia over the South Ossetia and Abkhazia regions. After Russia’s invasion in 2008 and Georgia’s defeat in the five-day war, the country effectively came under Russian influence.

Georgia is a parliamentary democratic republic, with Salome Zurabishvili serving as president since 2018 for a five-year term. Joining the European Union (EU) and NATO remains a key objective of Georgia’s foreign policy. The economy consists of agricultural products such as grapes and citrus fruits, mining of manganese, copper, and gold, as well as small-scale manufacturing industries, including alcohol, metal, machinery, and chemical products. Since 2012, institutional reforms have been implemented, and economic policies have focused on developing Black Sea ports, expanding road networks, reconstructing hydroelectric power plants, and improving the higher education environment. To achieve these goals, the country has successfully attracted significant foreign direct investment. With the signing of an association agreement with the EU in 2014, free trade and visa-free travel became possible. In 2017, Tbilisi, capital of Georgia, signed a free trade agreement with China. Unemployment remains high, with youth unemployment reaching 40%.

Georgia’s GDP per capita is approximately $14,100.

》 Scripture Focus

》 Prayer Points

1. Christians are Orthodox Christians, 77% of the population, but for most, their faith is merely a ceremonial religion shaped by nationalism and cultural tradition, and they rarely attend church. Evangelicals from Baptist and Pentecostal churches make up just over 1% of the population, but unfortunately, this number is slowly decreasing. Protestants are regarded as heretics, and converts often face persecution from their families and acquaintances.

However, the Georgian Church is the second oldest Christian nation in the world and has endured the suffering of martyrdom under communism. Let us be thankful that evangelical leaders are uniting in this faith, fellowshipping together, upholding biblical values, and working towards greater religious freedom in Georgia. Let us pray that the Georgian Church will not grumble against those who do evil in politics and religion but will trust in God, believe in the gospel according to the Bible, and do good.

2.Due to its strategic location along trade routes, Georgia is well-positioned to spread the gospel to ethnic minorities. Some Azerbaijanis, Kists, and Abkhazians are Muslims, while the Mingrelians and Svans are nominally Orthodox but have no true religious beliefs. Moreover, there is no one actively evangelizing the Jewish community.

Let us be grateful that over 100 Korean missionaries are serving in Georgia. Let us pray that God will send more workers for the harvest to renew the church with the gospel of the cross. Let us also pray that the Georgian Church, which has been trained and nurtured through these missionaries, will obey the word, “Commit your way to the Lord,” and engage in evangelism and missions.

3.The poverty population is close to 20%, and the youth unemployment is 40%. Churches also struggle to maintain their buildings and rely on foreign financial support, making relief efforts and assistance difficult. Additionally, young people are increasingly uninterested in church and often leave by their teenage years.

Since the five-day war with Russia in 2008, the South Ossetia region has remained under Russian control, and the ongoing threat of conflict due to separatist tensions persists. Furthermore, Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine has further destabilized Georgia’s situation.

Let us pray that this land will turn away from the pursuit of worldly desires and power, and instead seek the Lord and return to him. Let us also pray that the poor and hopeless will delight in the Lord, who grants the desires of their hearts, and receive the grace to stand before Him in righteousness.

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