A pastor was arrested by the Uzbek secret police on January 21, according to a January 25 report from Compass Direct.
During a raid on the Full Gospel Church in Andijan, secret service officers asked Pastor Dmitry Shestakov (37) to step outside with them for five minutes. They then escorted him to the nearest police station. At last report, he was still in police custody.
Pastor Shestakov is accused of "incitement of national, racial and religious enmity" under Article 156 of Uzbekistan's penal code. He could face up to five years in jail if convicted of this charge.
Pastor Shestakov has reportedly been harassed by authorities since May 2006. In June 2006, police raided his home, confiscated videos of his sermons and temporarily detained him. At the time, he was ordered to list all of his church members but refused to do so. Once he was released, he and his family went into hiding to avoid charges of treason (read the story). They returned several months later and remained in contact with the Andijan congregation.
Pray that all charges against Pastor Shestakov will be dropped. Pray that he will rely on the Lord to give him the words to say when he stands before accusing authorities (Matthew 10:19). Pray that the Holy Spirit will bring many of his neighbours, friends and even persecutors to Christ through his faithful witness (Romans 12:14, 21).
For more information on persecution of Christians in Uzbekistan, click here.
Current Ministry Project
VOMC has been working with project partners over the past couple of years to affirm and equip Christian women for continued ministry and to encourage unity among them.
Ethnicity (%) Uzbek (83.8), Tajik (4.8), Kazakh (2.5), Russian (2.3) Karakalpak (2.2), Tatar (1.5), other (4.4)
Religion (%) Islam (88), Eastern Orthodox (9), other (3)
Leader President Shavkat Mirziyoyev (2016)
Government type Presidential republic; highly authoritarian
Legal system Civil law system
Source: CIA World Factbook
Pray for Uzbekistan
Thank you for praying on behalf of our brothers and sisters in Uzbekistan who are undergoing severe mistreatment by those governing over them. Ask the Lord to remind these persevering believers that they are truly His beloved children. As their Heavenly Father, He is the One who governs their souls and eternal destiny. May they have a heightened awareness of His abiding presence, everlasting love, help in times of trouble – and whatever else they specifically need – as conveyed through the infallible promises of His powerful Word.
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A Lutheran church in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Photo: Wikipedia / Bobyrr (cc)
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Join Uzbek believers in prayer as they seek the Lord for wisdom in these cases.
A small number of religious communities in Uzbekistan received their registration in late 2019. However, many others are encountering major obstacles in their attempts to obtain registration, which would allow them to fun
Tashkent, Uzbekistan Photo: Wikipedia / Atilin (c)
A Christian mother in Uzbekistan was killed by her husband on February 9th because she had recently accepted Christ. The attack happened at the Tashkent airport as she was attempting to flee the country.
Population
