From CBN News
A revival of sorts is taking place behind closed doors along what was the famous Silk Road that linked Europe and China, West and East, through the spiritual heart of Central Asia.
In Bukhara, a city revered in Islam with more than 2,000 years of history and home to the region’s oldest mosque, a small but determined group of Christians has been worshipping, praying, and sharing the Gospel with boldness and courage.
CBN News reports: “Nestled among ancient architecture and bustling bazaars, house churches are emerging, hidden from public view, but alive with whispered worship and bold faith.”
A once thriving hub on the 6,500-kilometre Silk Road, Bukhara became a meeting point not only to trade goods like silk and spices, but also to trade ideas, philosophies, and religions.
ISLAM IS DEEPLY WOVEN INTO UZBEKISTAN’S IDENTITY
“Bukhara is an amazing city,” said Temur Hakimov of Full Gospel Church Uzbekistan.
“Beautiful people. It’s a very historical place, over 2,000 years old, and is very important to our people.”
Today, Uzbekistan is an overwhelmingly Muslim country, with Islam deeply woven into its national identity and culture.
Historically, Bukhara served as a major centre for the spread of Islam across Central Asia through its various religious schools, known as madrassas, and its majestic mosques, drawing students from around the world.
SPIRITUAL HUNGER EMERGING AMONG UZBEKS
Although Christians make up less than 0.3% of the population, CBN News reports there are signs of openness and spiritual hunger emerging among Uzbeks.
“It’s difficult to provide systematic education for Christian leaders,” Sergey Rakhuba of Mission Eurasia told the US Christian broadcaster.
“But in recent years, thanks to the current government, we’ve seen significant progress and potential,” he added.
‘SCHOOLS WITHOUT WALLS’ MINISTRY
His organisation is helping train a new generation of Christian leaders through an innovative and informal program called School Without Walls.
“We don’t have classrooms, registration lists, or certificates,” Mr. Rakhuba told CBN News.
“What we do have is living faith, deep experience, and a growing number of young Christians eager to be trained and equipped.”
YOUNG CENTRAL ASIAN PROFESSIONALS UNITE ON A MISSION FOR GOD
Last year, Mission Eurasia hosted a forum in Uzbekistan, bringing together hundreds of passionate young Christian professionals committed to making a difference in their communities.
“I looked out at the room from the platform and was amazed to see that there were over 500 young Christian professionals gathered there.”
“Probably 90% of them were representatives of the indigenous peoples of Central Asia,” Mr. Rakhuba said.
This year the forum was held in Kazakhstan’ biggest city Almaty at the foot of the majestic Tian Shan Mountains, known as the “Mountains of God.’
USING THEIR CAREERS TO SHARE THE LOVE OF CHRIST
Again, 500 attended including teachers, doctors, lawyers, engineers, filmmakers, and business leaders.
While each brought their own dreams and ambitions, they all shared one bold purpose: to use their careers as a platform to share the love of Christ.
They committed to change cultures and impact their world for Christ, one conversation at a time.
“We came here to meet new people and to build a network with other professionals and learn how to be more effective as believers in our workplaces,” Erzhanov Sypatai, a Christian from Central Asia, told CBN News.
COURAGE OF CHRISTIAN FILM PRODUCER
One of them was film producer Maira Karsabayeva.
“When I tell my staff and colleagues that I’m a Christian, they don’t believe me, because they think that Christians should be weak, but I am very courageous and not afraid,” she said.
“Therefore, this forum for Christian professionals really interested me because we can learn together how to make a difference in this world as believers.”
VISION TO RAISE UP BOLD, FAITHFUL LEADERS
More than a decade ago, Sergey Rakhuba set out on a mission to raise up a generation of bold, faithful leaders who wouldn’t shy away from sharing the Gospel in their workplaces.
“We want them to take with them, first of all, strategic concepts; we want them to take ideas, we want them to take passion and energy,” he explained to CBN News.
“With that inner drive, we want them to boldly and courageously live out their faith in their workplaces so that the Gospel can reach — even the most influential spheres of modern life in the former Soviet Union, especially in Central Asia.”
Mr. Rakhuba’s mission: Help them share Christ’s love without risking their safety or careers.
THE CHANGING FACE OF UZBEKISTAN
Egor Papov with the Bible Society of Uzbekistan says it’s all part of a larger shift.
“We are experiencing amazing changes today in Uzbekistan, and it all started several years ago with a new government,” Mr. Papov told CBN News.
The change began in 2016, when President Shavkat Mirziyoyev took office and ushered in a wave of modernisation and reforms, including increased religious freedom.
Christians credit the president for allowing more churches to receive legal permits than ever before.
GREATER OPENNESS TO HEARING ABOUT JESUS
Dr. Roman Tsoy, a local doctor and pastor, confirms the shift.
“Today, many Uzbeks are open to hearing about Jesus,” he said.
“They want to read the Word of God, they ask us to pray for them, and invite us into their homes.”
HOUSE CHURCHES AND MUSIC HELP MUSLIMS OPEN THEIR HEARTS
In Bukhara, worship pastor Likov Oleg leads three house churches.
He says music has played a powerful role in helping Muslims open their hearts.
“We are witnessing how God is miraculously touching people’s lives,” he said.
“We sit on the floor, share tea, then sing and explain how Jesus touched our lives.”
MUSLIMS LITERALLY DREAM OF JESUS
“Many Muslims then tell us about dreams they’ve had of Jesus.”
One man told Pastor Oleg, “I saw Jesus in a dream. He showed me His hands, I saw the nail-pierced prints, and He said: Come to me.‘”
In the countryside outside the capital Tashkent, 600-kilometres from Bukhara, believers hike miles through rugged mountains to gather in home churches.
One such gathering includes Uzbeks, Kazakhs, Russians, South Koreans, and others.
EVANGELISM REACHING YOUNG PEOPLE
“Lately, through the School Without Walls initiative, we’ve been emphasising more on evangelism and reaching young people,” said Pastor Bemurzaev Baurjan of Source of Life Church.
“And the church is growing.”
From the vibrant streets of Tashkent to the historic alleys of Bukhara, a spiritual shift is unfolding.
It’s quiet, often hidden from the public, and still vulnerable, but for those involved, it is a bold expression of faith in a land steeped in centuries of Islamic tradition.
Pastors told CBN News senior international correspondent George Thomas that the shift is underway, one house church at a time.
The reporter concluded: “For the believers here, it marks the start of a new chapter, one unfolding along the ancient path of the storied Silk Road.”
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