Kazakhstan

The passage of a new religion law in October 2011 puts intense pressure on Christians. Religious activities outside state and state-controlled institutions are not allowed. Raids and arrests are occurring. Members of Protestant churches are particularly targeted by the authorities. They are considered foreign influence with the goal of destroying the political system.

When Kazakhs with a Muslim background turn to Jesus Christ, they usually experience strong pressure from their environment - family, friends and neighborhood - up to and including physical violence.

AVC is involved in church planting projects in Kazakhstan. This is done in strategic partnership with national church movements.

We support church planters and evangelists in a city in central Kazakhstan that was once a major industrial center, but then fell into oblivion. AVC is also involved in a church plant in the Kostanay/Rudny region in the north of the country.

The most recent of our projects is aimed at building a community among Uyghurs and other minorities in the villages of the Almaty region in the border area with the People's Republic of China. The work is accompanied by social-humanitarian projects.