Kazakhstan (MNN) — Agape Evangelical Center is Kazakhstan is having an incredible impact. The center has grown from just a handful of believers in 1991 to one of the largest indigenous ministries in Central Asia.
This growth is happening while the government is forcing churches to register. Some house churches who have failed to register have been confiscated by the government.
However, Agape is doing everything it can to preach Christ where people live. They're providing local mercy outreaches to the poor, prisoners, elderly and orphans. A Bible college is providing training for church planters and missionaries. They've helped plant 60 satellite churches in other parts of the region, including China. And through an effective Drug Rehabilitation Center, they're providing help to nearly 100 people who are being set free from the bondage of drugs.
The Bridge International supports the work of Yuri Shumayev, who oversees the 1,000 plus member church.
The Bridge is helping to financially support some of the Agape workers, the Bible College, missionaries and drug rehab center. They're also providing assistance to a pastor who's reaching out to Muslims and native Kazakhs and Russians in Almaty. And, they're helping a young Karate professional-turned-pastor who's doing an effective work among the Kazakh people in Karaganda.
If you'd like to assist Bridge International's work, click here.
I was on a trip to Almaty with a group of college students in 1991 led by Dr. John Louwerse. We also traveled to Kapchagay and Zhezqazghan. We were a group from LIFE Bible College in Los Angeles, CA working with The Bridge and did public meetings in the cities.
It was an amazing experience and was wondering how the churches are doing in those cities today.
Pastor Matt Rotter
The Dalles, OR