The countries of Central Asia have secular governments although the dominant religion of the region is Islam. However, since the fall of communism there has been a marked rise in militant Islam.
Many believers are scattered through this huge region in small fellowships, sometimes as part of underground house churches. There are also believers who are the only Christians in their communities and so have little opportunity for fellowship.
In such circumstances helping believers to come to a better understanding of the Bible is essential. With our partners the “Distance Bible School” was established [known as Independent Bible Correspondence School].
Born into a Muslim family, 17-year-old Safar came to faith in Jesus Christ. This young man tells us how this belief has changed him and what studying the Bible means to him.
When I was a child, my father died of a drug overdose. Sometime later my mother became another man's second wife. My stepfather was a mullah and taught me to pray the Namaz (Muslim prayer). Later he was also arrested and imprisoned for drug trafficking. My mother, my younger half sister and I had no one left to take care of our family. Our grandmother told us about Jesus, but we had little interest in it. One day, while watching TV, we tuned into a Christian station. We saw a preacher, an Iranian, who contrasted the Christian faith to the Islamic religion. I learned that Jesus went to the cross and took on the sins of mankind. Again and again, we watched these Christian broadcasts until my mother converted. Soon after that I also welcomed Jesus into my heart. In 2021 I was baptized and made a promise to serve God. If it was His will, I wanted to be a preacher because Jesus has given the commission (Matthew 28: 19-20). I am actively involved in the life of our church community. I love God’s Word and want to learn more. So, I enrolled in the “Distance Bible School”. I have already completed two courses.
Last year, 1,840 students took courses at the Distance Bible school with over 40% belonging to Muslim peoples and ethnic groups of Central Asia.
We look back with gratitude on three decades of Distance Bible School operating. A journey that we see primarily as a testimony of God’s faithfulness, and as a path that we were allowed to travel together with you. Thank you!
Let’s continue to serve together – to facilitate the study of God’s Word; to equip believers for ministry in the church; to instruct unbelievers in the truth of the Gospel. Let us serve together to enable people to study God’s Word, even in countries where faith is restricted.