Church Faces Huge Tax Burden

Members of the Pentecostal Church of Jesus Christ in Kyrgyzstan are facing a tax bill which threatens to close the church. According to Vasili Kuzin, senior pastor of the church, this is the reason behind the taxes.

The head office for the church, based in the capital of Bishkek, was assessed with taxes, penalties and fines totaling 4,822,839 soms ($154,000.00 CDN). The church appealed to the Finance Ministry, but on August 15, the inspectorate's decision was upheld.

The church contends that the taxes are against the constitution and the tax laws, which state that "Non-profit social organisations involved in charitable activity are free from taxation." Forum 18 has contacted the deputy chair of the Kyrgyzstan Committee for Religious Affairs, Natalya Shadrova, who says that they will look into the situation.

The Pentecostal Church of Jesus Christ claims to be one of the fastest growing churches in Kyrgyzstan, with 9,500 members and 30 affiliate congregations around the country. Several of the local congregations have been denied government registration and have been forced to close. Pray that this situation will be resolved quickly. Pray also for a continued outreach to the ethnic Kyrgyz, who are historically Muslim.

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    VOMC has come alongside project partners to offer an English camp as an opportunity for evangelism and outreach among youth and young adults. Camp participants are invited to embrace the Good News of the Gospel through the platform of the English Camps.

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  • Country Information

    Population
    6,122,781 (2023 est.)

    Ethnicity (%)
    Kyrgyz (73.8), Uzbek (14.8), Russian (5.1), Dungan (1.1), Other (5.2)

    Religion (%)
    Muslim (90), Christian (7), other (3)

    Leader
    President Sadyr Japarov (2021)

    Government type
    Parliamentary Republic

    Legal system
    Civil law system, which includes features of French civil law and Russian Federation laws

    Source: CIA World Factbook

  • Pray for Kyrgyzstan

    Ask the Lord to empower these church leaders and their congregation members so they can lovingly and boldly proclaim the Gospel in Kyrgyzstan (Ephesians 6:18-20). Also intercede on behalf of the country's political leaders, who not only need wisdom to justly govern the nation but also eternal salvation through a personal and meaningful encounter with the Risen Christ. May it represent the beginning of spiritual revival throughout this land.

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Kyrgyzstan News

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  • New Bill Further Restricts Nonprofit Groups
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  • Fines for ''Missionary Activities''
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    Parliament building - Photo: Wikipedia / Adam Harangozó
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    Photo: Wikipedia / Adam Harangozó (cc)

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