Believers in Kazakhstan fear loss of religious freedom as government officials talk about religion.

Kazakhstan (MNN) — Future religious freedom in Kazakhstan is a concern for evangelicals in the country. Christians around the world are being urged to pray as religious leaders conclude a World Religions Conference today in that mostly Muslim nation.

Bible Mission International’s Malcolm Smith says they’re dialoguing on religious issues in the country. Smith says it’s believed evangelicals were left out and they’re concerned. “There’s a movement to only allow a specific number of confessions within Kazakhstan. And, what the brothers in Kazakhstan are worried about is that they will not be allowed to continue to operate as they have in the past.”

He says, “They’re trying to mandate a state religion, so to speak.

Smith says Christians faced some problems this past summer. “Several of (our summer) camps were closed down because they weren’t certified.” However, Smith says there was no way to get certified.

Smith has a specific prayer request. “That the president of Kazakhstan, Mr. Nazarbayev, would find favor to the evangelicals and that he would allow them to continue to minister in his country, and to meet the very practical and felt needs of the people within his country.”

Pray too, that evangelisticals won’t be forgotten and that they’ll be allowed to continue without interuption.