Kazakhstan

 

Kazakhstan is the world's largest landlocked country, and is located in Central Asia. Officially, it is a democratic republic with a constitution, but the administration is under criticism for restricting religious freedom.

Ethnic Kazakhs - historically a mix of Turkic and Mongol nomadic tribes who migrated to the region by the 13th century - were rarely united as a single nation. The area was conquered by Russia in the 18th century, and Kazakhstan became a Soviet Republic in 1936. Soviet policies reduced the number of ethnic Kazakhs in the 1930s and enabled non-ethnic Kazakhs to outnumber natives. During the 1950s and 1960s, Soviet citizens were encouraged to help cultivate Kazakhstan's northern pastures. This influx of immigrants (mostly Russians, but also some other deported nationalities) further skewed the ethnic mixture.

Non-Muslim ethnic minorities began leaving Kazakhstan in large numbers from the mid-1990s through the mid-2000s and a national program has repatriated about a million ethnic Kazakhs back to Kazakhstan. These trends have allowed Kazakhs to become the majority again. This dramatic demographic shift has also changed the previous religious diversity and made the country more than 70% Muslim.

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Population

18,448,000+

Captial City: Nur-Sultan (Astana)

 

SGA in Kazakhstan

 

SGA helps Kazakhstan's evangelical churches through sponsorship of missionary pastors, and biblically sound training through the Almaty Bible Institute. Children's ministries such as Orphans Reborn, summer camps, and Immanuel's Child are also supported, along with much-needed Compassion Ministry.

Religions in Kazakhstan

Muslim 70.4%

Christian 24.7%

Other 4.9%

Islam is the largest religion in Kazakhstan, followed by Orthodox Christianity. After decades of religious suppression by the Soviet Union, the coming of independence witnessed a surge in expression of ethnic identity, partly through religion.

Religious freedom is already restricted by legislation - dating from September 2011 - and the Kazakhstan government is constantly working at increasing its control over the entire society, which means more surveillance, raids on meetings and arrests. The government uses the threat of militant Islam to restrict areas of freedom.

Where Else We Work

Russian Federation

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Far East Russia

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Ukraine

Ukraine, in Eastern Europe, is made up mostly of Eastern Orthodox and Catholic adherants. The nation has a long history of territorial disputes, which continue to this day - especially in the regions of Crimea, Luhansk and Donetsk...

Republic of Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan is a 'double-landlocked' country (fully surrounded by landlocked countries) in Central Asia. The population was largely converted to Islam during the Early Muslim Conquests in the 7th century...

Republic of Tajikistan

A mountainous country, Tajikistan is home to many Persian-speaking people of Iranian origin. After centuries of being subjugated, it finally became independent at the disintegration of the Soviet Union in 1991...

What We Do

Church Planting

SGA exists to bring Biblical truth to the people of the former Soviet Union. Since the fall of communism, many churches have been planted but there are still many places without a Christian witness...

Pastoral Support

Full-time Christian ministry in the former USSR is difficult when local churches can't afford to support their own pastors. SGA helps by coordinating sponsorships and raising support...

Bible Students & Colleges

Preparing faithful pastors, missionaries, youth leaders and children's workers for lifetimes of ministry is vital to sustain evangelical churches. SGA assists by sponsoring seminaries and students...

Bibles & Literature Distribution

During Soviet times, SGA printed and smuggled Bibles across the Iron Curtain. Today, Bibles and Christian books are still needed, especially in Central Asia. SGA continues to raise funds for literature distribution...

Orphanage Ministries

There are hundreds of thousands of children in orphanages across the former Soviet Union. Who will teach these children about their creator who loves them? SGA's 'Orphans Reborn' program was designed to meet this need...

Summer Camp Sponsorships

In summer, a huge evangelistic effort is made to reach thousands of children through Christian summer camps. SGA raises funds to pay for disadvantaged children to attend, so they can learn about God's love...

Humanitarian Aid

In the poorest regions, there is special need for humanitarian aid. Through missionaries, pastors and church volunteers, needy people are receiving spiritual and practical help. SGA raises funds to make this outreach possible...

Prisons Ministries

Prisoners, especially those in despair, need to hear there is hope through the shed-blood of Christ. SGA raises support for ministry teams to conduct Bible studies and outreaches within prison walls...

Drug & Alcohol Rehabilitation

Drug and alcohol addiction are affecting thousands of men and women across the former USSR. SGA is helping local churches by raising funds for the operation of Christian rehab centres...