[2024 Ramadan Day 14] The Seasoned Warriors of God That Wil Conquer the Nations, Tajikistan

Tajikistan is similar to the other nations in Central Asia in terms of culture, society and its location, but it is a link between them and the Persian people groups that have a completely different language and ethnic background.

The six-year civil war, which erupted immediately after its independence from the former Soviet Union, resulted in numerous casualties. But when all hope seemed lost, the movement of the gospel and the works of the Holy Spirit began with news of revival spreading everywhere. However, 98% of the population were still Muslim and evangelical Christians were only 0.03% (or 3,000 people). In a country where 70% of the population is young, preaching the gospel to those under the age of 17 is illegal. So ministering to the next generation has been difficult for the Tajik church. Moreover, Christians who believed only for economical reasons moved to different nations and the number of Christians continued to decreased.

On the other hand, secularism and Islam started to merge and many people listened to Islamic doctrine and arguments against Christianity through the internet. Islamic was being strengthened as the mosque that could fit 150,000 people was reopened after being closed due to COVID-19. Women are still wearing hijabs and men are still heading to mosques to for their daily prayers on Friday, even thought many Russians have flowed into the nation due to the Russia-Ukraine war and the clothes of the young generation having become westernized. The holiday called Navruz not only strengthens their nation ties but their deepen their sense of this Islamic community.

Despite all this, God is renewing Tajikistan once again. After 7-8 years, God has finally sent university students from Korea to the nation of Tajikistan. Through the Korean YGs, the gospel will be preached and through their worship, the young generation will arise. Moreover, new passion for campus ministry was poured upon the Christian Tajik YGs as they started new campus ministries. and the YG short-term mission teams that stopped going out due to COVID-19 are now being commissioned again.

In the past, these short-term mission teams would only go to nearby nations in Central Asia, but this time, with the disciples of the ministers, a 5-member team wen to Middle East Asia and North India. The local church that sent this team not only prayed for them but also supported them financially. Brother J, who went to North India, confessed that the biggest mistake was making the trip only 10 days instead of 20 days. Brother Z, who went to Middle East Asia, also said that even though there were many difficulties, this mission trip is moving for the history of the Tajik church and that many more missionaries will arise. This was their declaration of faith. Hallelujah! The Lord will bring revival upon the church and revival upon the mission work in this land through their proclamations of faith!

[Today’s prayer]

1. Please pray that that those who believe will proclaim their faith all the more boldly during this time of Ramadan and that those who don’t believe will confess that “Jesus is Christ” through dreams and visions.

2. Please pray that those who cannot offer their faith due to various circumstances, hardships and persecutions, those who are like the treasure of darkness and the hoards in secret places, will call upon the name of the Lord and see the revival of the Tajik church.

3. Please pray that that just like through the Haystack Prayer Movement, the young generation and the next generation will arise with the “Tajik YG mission movement” and that through this movement, the young generation will be the seasoned warriors who will conquer the nations.