Uzbek Church Under Pressure

In April 2015, a Baptist church in Karshi City, Uzbekistan was visited by a group of secret police officers, who filmed members of the church. Later the same day, officers confiscated all of the literature from the church, including Bibles and hymn books.

At the same church, on 2nd August, two representatives of the secret police appeared during the Sunday service and, at the end of service, asked members of the church to write down an explanation for why they were visiting a Christian service.

The church members refused to write an explanation, so the secret police representatives wrote a report and promised that to pass the case to the state court.

On 25th September, the trial of five brothers and sister in Christ was held.

The court stated that they were convicted of, “Implementation of illegal religious activity, evasion of heads of religious organisations from the registration of the charter, the organisation and conduct of the clergy and members of religious organisations” and, “Illegal production, storage, import or distribution of religious materials”.

Church members are going to appeal the court decision, and are asking the church throughout the world to support them in prayer for the reversal the decision of the court, the return of confiscated literature, and no hindrance to Christians gathering together to worship.

• Pray for Christians in Uzbekistan, who face daily pressure, persecution and threats from both the government and their communities.
• Pray for the members of this church, that their appeal will be heard, charges dropped and literature returned to them.
• Pray that Uzbek Christians will gather together to worship without fear.
• Pray for the Uzbek church, to be a positive witness to the mostly Muslim population and for many across this country to encounter the living Christ.

Isaiah 41 vs 13: “For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, ‘Do not fear, I will help you.’”

Source: http://opendoorsusa.org