Of the 996,000 Karakalpak people worldwide, only 0.32% know Jesus.
“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace,
who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!'”
– Isaiah 52:7 –
In this verse, Isaiah referred to prophets in ancient Israel who would traverse most likely the Harei Yehuda mountains and declare the Word of the Lord. In this month’s Reach the Last spotlight, we turn our thoughts to doubly landlocked Uzbekistan in mountainous Central Asia, and we will discover how the gospel is reaching the Karakalpak people.
While the Karakalpaks, or Qaraqalpaqs, live in several nations, they mainly come from Uzbekistan. Within the state, they mostly reside in the autonomous republic of Karakalpakstan. There are roughly 996,000 Karakalpaks globally, including in Turkey, Iran and Kazakhstan, with 809,000 of these living in the autonomous republic. The main languages spoken are Karakalpak, Russian and Uzbek.
Spiritually blocked
Organized religion was suppressed in earlier days when Uzbekistan was a Soviet state. Today it is officially a secular nation that legislatively guarantees religious freedom, though most Uzbeks follow Sunni Islam. But the history, current cultural reality and the state’s strict oversight of religious activities place Christian efforts to share the gospel at a severe disadvantage.
Christians face opposition and suppression when practicing their faith publicly, including the infiltration of churches and confiscation of Bibles. This makes reaching an already small group of believers even harder. The Joshua Project estimates that only 0.32% of Karakalpaks are Christians. Even more harrowingly, for many years there was only one state-registered church in Karakalpakstan, leaving believers with no choice but to live for Jesus underground.
TWR’s ministry
Despite the unceasing pressure, TWR’s Central Asian team works with ministry partners to produce life-enriching broadcasts to reach Karakalpaks through MOST – an online media portal. Amid political setbacks, the team ministers prayerfully, patiently and faithfully through the following means: medium-wave (AM) radio transmissions; an audio-centric website; Telegram; and MP3 players, USB sticks, and SD cards.
TWR provides critical programming that provides vital spiritual food for people in the region. Each program is carefully prepared in the Karakalpak language.
The Radio Bible Project
People of God need spiritual nourishment, and unbelievers need to hear about salvation. The Radio Bible Project, which airs 15 minutes three days a week, presents God’s Word simply and straightforwardly so that his mighty Word continues to be proclaimed to “all creation” (Mark 16:15).
Women of Hope
In Central Asian countries, inequality often exists between men and women. The prevailing culture teaches that women should be silent, serve the men, not quarrel with their husbands and take care of the family. A significant number of divorces have led to a multitude of lonely, hurting women. Women of Hope, available once a week for 15 minutes, provides women encouragement and the opportunity to experience normal, kind relationships, including with Jesus Christ.
The Way of Righteousness
A 15-minute weekly radio broadcast designed for a Muslim audience, The Way of Righteousness chronologically presents the central message of God’s prophets throughout the Bible. The episodes are interconnected yet also standalone – challenging the listener to consider God’s righteous way of salvation.
The Christian Home
Family is fundamental for society and church life. Many people get married and start a family, but regrettably they get divorced after a short time. This results in broken hearts, divided families and wounded children. The Christian Home, available for 15 minutes each week, expands on the importance of family and how the Bible encourages Christian homes to be filled with God and his goodness.
Springs of Living Water
In this 15-minute weekly program, episodes cover topics such as the character of Christ, the encouraging words of Jesus, how the Holy Spirit empowers us to overcome difficulties, and God’s presence in our lives. The team uses material from Springs of Living Water in home meetings, encouraging believers across the region.
Mountains moved
The TWR Central Asian team reports encouraging testimonies from those who hear the programs. Aiding the Karakalpak ministry is a family who have moved from Karakalpakstan to Kazakhstan, home to a suitable production studio. They graciously help prepare the vital Karakalpak programs.
Consider this encouraging response from a Karakalpak church leader:
“In life, we encounter difficulties and problems. The Word of God and audio programs help us come back to life; it’s as if we’ve had a conversation with the Lord. The Word of God acts like a balm for the heart, and words cannot fully capture its profound impact on us. I often recommend radio receivers to many people. I have given them out to several individuals who, after listening, have expressed their gratitude.”
There are also signs of spiritual breakthrough from a Women of Hope listener:
“I still can’t find the courage to tell my husband about our Lord Jesus. But my brothers and sisters know that I am a believer. At home, I have a Holy Bible and a book [titled] The Power of Praying Woman and another book [titled] Lies Women Believe: And the Truth That Sets Them Free. They are kept in a place that everyone can see. I don’t hide them from anybody. One day my husband asked me what kind of books they are. I suggested to him that if he reads [them], he would know about everything from creation to the end of the world. He didn’t mind.”
“He who forms the mountains” (Amos 4:13)
Let us pray that one day the Karakalpak peoples will recognize the greatness of our God and that his name will be exalted. While the region may remain landlocked, let us pray that the Karakalpaks will recognize the Word of the Lord upon the mountains, as TWR and other ministries continue faithfully sharing the gospel – the truth that sets us free.
“In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains;
it will be exalted above the hills, and all nations will stream to it.”
– Isaiah 2:2 –
