During a recent visit to Central Asia the General Director of Slavic Gospel Association [UK], the Revd Derek Maxwell, had opportunity to enjoy fellowship with church leaders and believers living and wit-nessing in difficult, dangerous situations.
The collapse of the Soviet system in 1989 brought relief for believers from years of religious oppression, but this was quickly replaced by opposition from zealous religious sources along with governments pursuing a secular agenda.
Hope Centres
The country of Tajikistan, for example, has a population which is 98% Muslim, with around 3,000 believers in a population of 9million. Church congregations are advised to meet discreetly and sometimes secretly, yet there is a desire to reach out to fellow countrymen with the gospel, and they are active in evangelism where and when possible. Many vital opportunities arise through humanitarian aid offered in ‘Hope Centres’, where the hungry are fed, those with material and medical needs are helped, shelter is provided for vulnerable people, and the truth of the gospel is shared. These centres can also provide a meeting-place for the believers to worship.
