Mongolia may be often forgotten by the outside world, but its believers are crying out for the Holy Spirit to sweep their country like a powerful wind.
A Deep Darkness
During the World Challenge team’s time in Mongolia, we started discussing how deep-rooted cultural beliefs impact behavior with our new Mongolian friends.
A member spoke up. “Here it’s believed that men shouldn’t show any emotional ‘weakness.’ Boys are taught to repress their emotions, which often leads to unhealthy relationships later in life.”
The discussion group’s insight was frighteningly accurate. In 2018, two international research organizations released studies showing that 22 percent of Mongolian men are dependent on alcohol, rates three times higher than in Europe.
The Light of Hope
Mongolian believers are fervently praying for Satan’s stronghold over their nation to be broken. The Bible offers these men a God who wept at a friend’s death (John 11:33-35) and celebrates his children (Zephaniah 3:17). “And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32, NLT).
Change is starting outside Mongolia’s capital, Ulaanbaatar, with a local pastor and his compassion for those abandoned and hurting. He and his wife care for more than 20 orphans and lead the country’s only Christ-centered addiction recovery program.
“I want to help build healthy families and churches,” he explained. “But first they must come from healthy roots in God.”
What You Can Do
Pray for these believers in Mongolia who will be agents of transformation in their own neighborhoods as they grow in knowledge and courage. In the midst of heavy darkness, the Holy Spirit in them is a shining light.