Amid the many struggles Christians face in Central Asia, a story of courage and unwavering faith shines a light on Jesus’s powerful love.

Despite the challenges and dangers of being a devout Christian in Central Asia, Zarina* led a life dedicated to her family, church and students. A woman of steadfast faith, she was beloved in the community. Suddenly, however, her life changed when she was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer.

In most Middle Eastern countries, Christians are a vanishingly small minority. They face constant pressure to convert back to Islam, and this comes hand in hand with a great deal of persecution.

God’s love always extends to those who are often unseen and undervalued by the world, as he chooses what seems foolish to the world in order to make his kingdom known. 

Before she came to know Jesus, Grandma Fon was believed to be disturbed by a malicious ghost.

She was very sick and went to treatment everywhere she could, but she wasn’t recovering. Each treatment or doctor seemed to have no affect on her sickness. That was why neighbors and friends said it must be an angry spirit.

Jesus told his disciples that the harvest is ready but the workers are few, and World Challenge is working to equip more believers for that harvest. 

People who have never heard the gospel and often don’t even know anyone who is a Christian belong to ‘unreached people groups’ and are often called ‘frontier people.’ Many live in countries where the culture or government is hostile to Christianity.

God is building his church in some of the most closed nations in the world through daring conviction of his children who put their lives in danger to share the gospel. 

Abdul was unfamiliar with the good news of Jesus until a friend shared it with him. He recalled, “This message stuck to my heart, and I thought about it for weeks and continued to meet him.” Every time they met, Abdul had more questions for his friend, and his longing to know more grew.

Throughout his ministry, Christ showed a compassion for women that was highly unusual for his culture, and our partners are echoing that heart two thousand years later.

World Challenge’s partners are finding creative ways to support and bless church leaders in some of the world’s countries that are most closed off to the West and any Christian influence.

*Sita’s husband had to find work, so like many people in their region, he went to Dubai. With its booming tourist economy, this major Middle Eastern city almost always had companies looking to hire. He went with another purpose, though; Sita’s husband was going to help a church in Dubai.

God is working through World Challenge’s partners in Central Asia to help spouses learn how to have healthier relationships with one another.