Pastor Yerzhan Ushanov of the New Life Protestant Church in Taraz could face up to two years' imprisonment if criminal charges of harming an individual's health, brought by the National Security Committee (KNB) secret police, reach court. The KNB claim a visitor to the church suffered after Pastor Yerzhan prayed for him using hypnosis -- the second time the secret police have brought such charges against a Protestant pastor in Jambyl Region. "This is not the first time the authorities in southern regions of Kazakhstan bring such absurd accusations against pastors for allegedly using hypnosis, while in reality all they do is pray for the sick," New Life Church members complained. Extremism and Terrorism Police then raided the church's Sunday worship after an alleged complaint of food poisoning, and the KNB searched Pastor Yerzhan's home.
Pray the truth of this case will come to light. Pray for healing of the church visitor; may this act as a witness to God's mercy, goodness and authority. Pray the Lord will strengthen the faith of Pastor Yerzhan and his congregation.
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.
Ethnicity (%) Kazakh (Qazaq) (68), Russian (19.3), Uzbek (3.2), Ukrainian (1.5), Uighur (1.5), Tatar (1.1), German (1), Other (4.4)
Religion (%) Muslim (70.2), Christian (26.2), Buddhist (0.1), Other (0.2), Atheist (2.8), Unspecified (0.5)
Leader President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev (2019)
Government type Presidential republic
Legal system the theory and practice of the Russian Federation Civil law system influenced by Roman-Germanic law and b
Source: CIA World Factbook
Pray for Kazakhstan
Pray that authorities will cease their harassment of unregistered church communities. Until then, pray believers will effectively minister the gospel despite opposition.
Pray for endurance for those believers facing these challenges.
Pray for the adage “To be a Kazakh is to be a Muslim” to be broken; pray for freedom from historic spiritual bondages and prejudices.
Kazakhstan Senate Photo: Wikipedia / SenateKZ (cc)
On October 6th, amendments to Kazakhstan's religious laws were approved by the Parliament and then passed on to the Senate. The legislation added new restrictions to religious events conducted outside a building of worship owned by a registered re
Since the beginning of 2021, at least 20 cases have gone to court in Kazakhstan for holding religious meetings without state permission. The fines brought against them varied from three weeks' to four months' average wages. Amendments are also pres
New Life Church property in Almaty Photo: Ivan Kryukov (cc)
On September 17th, a court in the city of Almaty upheld an earlier decision to seize two buildings owned by the New Life Protestant Church. The facilities were being used for worship, as well as a means of support for those suffering from
Church member prays outside Grace Church. Photo: Grace Church via Forum 18
City officials in Kazakhstan's capital of Nur-Sultan have ordered the confiscation of the Grace Presbyterian Church building, as well as the place of worship being constructed on the same site for the Agape Pentecostal Church
Pastor Yerzhan Ushanov of the New Life Protestant Church in Taraz could face up to two years' imprisonment if criminal charges of harming an individual's health, brought by the National Security Committee (KNB) secret police, reach court. The KNB claim a visitor to the church suffered after Pastor Yerzhan prayed for him using hypnosis -- the second time the secret police have brought such charges against a Protestant pastor in Jambyl Region. "This is not the first time the authorities in southern regions of Kazakhstan bring such absurd accusations against pastors for allegedly using hypnosis, while in reality all they do is pray for the sick," New Life Church members complained. Extremism and Terrorism Police then raided the church's Sunday worship after an alleged complaint of food poisoning, and the KNB searched Pastor Yerzhan's home.
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