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History of the
Church of the Nazarene in Kazakhstan
Brief History of the CIS
Kazakhstan is one of 12 countries referred to as the Commonwealth of Independent States - countries that were once under the rule of the former Soviet Union. These nations represent a wide variety of landscape, climate, inhabited by at least 60 ethnic people groups, as well as a diversity of religions, from atheism to Islam and even to various tribal religions. The Church of the Nazarene has been able to start work in several of the former Soviet republics, including Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and Armenia since 1991 when the Soviet Union collapsed.
Brief History of the Kazakhstan
The Kazakhs are a Turkic-based, nomadic people group with a sweeping history that evokes memorable images of ancient civilizations, enduring trade routes, and a struggle to maintain an independent destiny remains steeped in mystery. The word "Kazakh" means a free and independent nomad in the ancient Turkic language. By the mid-sixteenth century, this word was clearly used to describe a distinct people living on the steppes of Central Asia. A significant part of Kazakhstan's engagement with the world is found on the paths formed by the Silk Road from the third century B.C. to the 19th century A.D. Kazakhstan was eventually brought under Soviet rule after the Bolshevik Revolution, even though its national elites had been guaranteed autonomous status by the Bolsheviks in return for shifting their alliance away from the Whites. The collectivization of agriculture under Stalin brought hardship to Kazakhstan, causing millions to die of starvation as well as other parts of the Soviet Union. Spectacular gains were seen in education, which resulted in near-universal literacy. During the Soviet period, intermarriage between Hordes was encouraged in order to reduce clan-based distinctions, but many of these distinctions have since become significant in interpersonal and business relationships. President Nursultan Nazarbayev was elected first President of Kazakhstan in December of 1991 and was most recently re-elected in January 2006 for a seven-year term of office. With the veil of Soviet secrecy withdrawn, Kazakhstan worked diligently to obtain direct foreign investment in a variety of industries, but with particular emphasis on the oil and gas sector. Aside from oil and gas, Kazakhstan is also rich in agriculture, precious metals, aerospace, and skilled labor. As its oil and gas sector grows, enthusiastic investors from other sectors are expected to join their colleagues in the energy sector, particularly in the development of infrastructure. (Source: The World Factbook)
History of the Church of the Nazarene in Kazakhstan
In May of 1996, Missionary Michael Park arrived in Kazakhstan as a pioneer missionary. God blessed his ministry, and he was able to start the First Astana Church of the Nazarene. With the prayers and hard work of believers from all around the world, God multiplied what was begun in this first church plant. Missionary Park was able to partner with local believers to grow and expand the ministry he had started to reach more people, in old places and in new. Soon, short-term missionaries and volunteer teams of all kinds came from America, Europe, and Korea and put their varied gifts to use where God was at work. In small steps and in great leaps, the Nazarene Church in Central Asia expanded and grew. And now, thirteen years after that first church plant, eleven more Nazarene churches have been established throughout Central Asia, and the ministry that began in the city of Astana now stretches across the Central Asian region.Just as He was faithful to work in this region from the very beginning, God continues to work amazing ways in Central Asia through the efforts of the world-wide Church of the Nazarene! Today, the Church of the Nazarene in Central Asia encompasses a number of different ministries. Of course, each of the local churches proclaims Jesus Christ as Savior through preaching and evangelism, seeking both to reach the lost and to make disciples of those who have chosen Him. Other special programs and ministries have arisen across the region to further the mission of proclaiming Jesus as Lord in the Central Asia. Several of the churches have active Kids ' Club programs, which seek to share Jesus Christ and His Word with children through Christ-centered programs teaching music, English, or painting. The Church of the Nazarene in Kazakhstan also actively reaches out to people through compassionate ministry. This includes free English education programs, Korean education programs, and medical clinic ministries, and will soon also involve computer classes and small business classes. A newly-constructed education center in Borovoe is the hub of the Christian education programs in Central Asia. Guest professors from all over the world conduct intensive classes for local believers in theology, Bible, and praxis. There is also a plan in motion for starting a new pastors ' training program at the same site. With the continued prayers and efforts of the church family from around the world, the Nazarene Church in Central Asia continues to grow and expand its vision for ministry each year.
Churches in Kazakhstan >>
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