Uzbekistan (MNN) ― The oppression facing evangelical churches in
Uzbekistan continues to grow, and according to one mission leader, it
doesn't appear to be easing any. Reports indicate the pressure is
mounting. However, this may be the fuel needed to see church growth
explode, says Sergey Rakhuba, Vice President of Russian Ministries.
According to Forum 18 News, Uzbekistan handed down 15-day sentences for
three Protestant Christians from a registered church earlier this week.
Forum 18 also learned three others, arrested after a raid on the
Tashkent church, were each fined 80 times the minimum monthly wage. Two
other Protestants were fined five times the minimum monthly wage. Six
computers seized during the raid were ordered to be given to the state,
and orders were given to destroy seized Christian literature.
Rakhuba describes the raid: "Police, National Security Service (NSS)
secret police, tax inspectors, fire brigade, and
sanitary-epidemiological service raided a Russian Protestant Church in
Tashkent that has been there for years and years."
Open Doors USA ranks Uzbekistan 10th on their World Watch List of
countries where persecution of Christians is most prevalent.
Rakhuba doesn't believe it will get any better. "They're creating more
and more pressure to push out all religious influence, especially
evangelical Christians and all missionaries that had a chance to work
there for the last decade and a half. They were all kicked out."
Many western organizations were forced to close their ministries.
However, Russian Ministries continues working there because nationals do
all the work.
Rakhuba describes the charges. "They are charged with the 'unlawful act'
of having a service in a registered building, in a registered church,
and having Christian literature. Apparently, a Bible isn't allowed any
more. It's a prohibited book all of a sudden."
Russian Ministries is providing training in this area of the world
because the need is so great. Rakhuba says church growth is happening
because of the persecution, just like it did during his time in the
Soviet Union. "Small home churches are starting everywhere. These young
people want to continue to spread the Gospel. Despite pressure, they
continue carrying the torch and faithfully expanding God's kingdom."
Funding is needed to help train the next generation church leaders who
are growing in number. Rukhuba says, "It takes about $360 for one person
to get through our training program there, led by experienced pastors
under very serious risk of spending a few years in prison for that
activity."
Funding is also needed to replace literature -- Bibles, books and other
resources -- to help these new leaders grow in their faith and have the
tools they need to lead more people to Christ.
This story was provided by our friends at
Mission Network News.