[2023 Ramadan Day 6] Uzbekistan, the final revival of the Silk Road!

Uzbekistan means “a country with its own king” or “an independent country not ruled by other peoples.” It belongs to the Turkic Belt, which has the lowest evangelization rate in the world, and is located in the center of Central Asia. With a population of over 33 million, it has the largest population in Central Asia and is home to about 120 ethnic groups. In addition, this nation was once the center of the Silk Road, where not only trade but also religion and culture were actively exchanged.

In the past, the Uzbek people believed in folk Islam for a long time, a combination of folk beliefs and shamanism. Most of them do not know much about the Quran (the Islamic scripture) and do not pray, but nevertheless consider themselves Muslims. However, the second president who is currently in power after independence from Russia opened up the liberalization of religion, and as a result, an increasing number of young intellects are finding their identity through religion. During the quarantine period due to Covid, religious leaders encouraged Ramadan to focus on Islam, and many people’s hearts were gathered, leading to a movement-like Ramadan fast.

The Uzbek people have very strong bonds with family and relatives. Having inherited and developed traditional culture from generation to generation, they recognize and follow Islam as the religion of their family and people. For this reason, belief in a religion other than Islam is equivalent to being expelled from the family community and uprooted from one’s identity.

Within such a social atmosphere, most Uzbek Christians made their decisions of faith alone, so it is very difficult to keep their faith during Ramadan when all family members and relatives fast. During the month of Ramadan, we hear of people who have given up on following Jesus.

It has been over 30 years since Uzbekistan became independent, and the mission history of Uzbekistan has also been over 30 years. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, the Korean church intensively served Uzbekistan, which was going through a severe depression, and there was remarkable revival for about 10 years. However, as religious laws were strengthened, missionaries were deported and Christians were scattered due to strict monitoring and persecution of the churches, making it difficult for them to keep their faith. Nevertheless, there are faithful Christians and churches that God has preserved.

The evangelization rate in Uzbekistan is about 0.02%, which seems very small. Also, due to the long history of national community identity, tradition, and deep-rooted Islamic religion, the Uzbek people like a paralytic whose hands and feet are bound, unable to approach Jesus on their own without someone’s help.

“And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” (Mark 2:4-5)

However, when we become like the four friends who lead the Uzbek people to the Lord by faith, they will become the four friends who will lead the nations to life! Sister L was Muslim by birth, but after hearing the gospel through a friend, she accepted Jesus. Though she faced difficulty from her family and workplace for believing in Jesus, she confessed, “The love of God the Father is enough for me,” and, “Even Jesus had nowhere to lay his head. I too have nowhere to lay my head, but I am grateful to be following Jesus.” Sister L is now serving with her friends in Middle East Asia as a student missionary.

But when we give our faith and lead the Uzbek people to the Lord like our friends, the Uzbeks will become our friends who save the nations! Those who have come to know the truth clearly, like Nurhon, will never forsake their faith until the very end. Through faith that overcomes hardships, the spiritual darkness of the Uzbek land will be destroyed, and a new generation of revival will arise!

God is using the Uzbek people as the heart of the nations through missions training. Following last winter, there are young Christians from Uzbekistan who are preparing as ministers by giving their time and resources in their youth. Through the Uzbek YG who are crazy about Jesus, just like those who broke through the roof and gave their life to save their friends, this nation will rise up to complete the final revival!

Through Sister L and her friends, 10 Middle East Asia young people are coming out to church.

Hallelujah! The Uzbek people are the heart of the nations that will embrace, comfort and save other suffering nations. Together with all the nations of Central Asia, the Uzbek people will lead all nations to life!

[Today’s Prayer]

1. God, you have given life to the Uzbek people. Would you have mercy on the Uzbek souls who have been entangled in traditions and religions for a long time and cannot see the truth. During Ramadan this year, would you embolden the Uzbek Christians to clearly confess Jesus as the Christ in the face of Islamic traditions and pressure! May their families and the nation of Uzbekistan return to the Lord through their confessions of faith!

2. The evangelization rate in Uzbekistan is 0.02%, which seems small and insignificant, but Uzbek Christians and churches are now making a new confession and commitment. Would you grant missions revival so they will be able to reach the remaining nations with the gospel. As the missionary sending movement rises, there will also be evangelization and revival of Uzbekistan, to fulfill its role as the heart of all nations! May the 2% Young Generation committed to Jesus rise up and complete the final revival together with the rest of Central Asia!