Registered Church Banned from Renting State-Owned Hall

After struggling for over a year to gain government registration, the Greater Grace Protestant Church was able to legally meet and signed a rental contract for a hall in a geological institution in Ashgabad, the capital of Turkmenistan.  However, according to a December 9 report from Forum 18, the church was able to only meet four times before they received notice that the contract had been terminated and they would no longer be able to rent any state-owned facility.  It is believed the decision was made after pressure came from the Ministry of State Security (MSS).  City officials have refused to give any statement in writing but they insist that the church cannot meet any longer in the hall.  Church members intend to appeal the decision to the Justice Ministry.

Pray that the church will find a place to meet together. Pray that the pastor will have the Lord's direction in leading the congregation to continued spiritual growth. Ask God to protect them from discouragement, and that He will give them songs of praise. Pray that the appeal will be a success and that they will be able to rent a building and worship freely.

For more information on the persecution of Christians in Turkmenistan, click here.

(Source: Forum 18)

  • Country Information

    Population
    5,690,818 (2023 est.)

    Ethnicity (%)
    Turkmen (85), Uzbek (5), Russian (4), other (6)

    Religion (%)
    Islam (93), Christian (6.4)

    Leader
    President Serdar Berdimuhamedov (2022)

    Government type
    Presidential republic; authoritarian

    Legal system
    Civil law system with Islamic law influences

    Source: CIA World Factbook

    Pray for Turkmenistan

    Pray that the Lord will give the suffering members of the church in Turkmenistan the strength and determination to stand firm amid opposition and oppression. May they be granted opportunities to meet together for meaningful times of worship, Bible study and fellowship – encouraging and edifying one another in the Christian faith. Despite governmental restrictions, and the threat of fine or imprisonment, may the church in Turkmenistan flourish and bear much good fruit.

  • Pray for Turkmenistan

    Pray that the Lord will give the suffering members of the church in Turkmenistan the strength and determination to stand firm amid opposition and oppression. May they be granted opportunities to meet together for meaningful times of worship, Bible study and fellowship – encouraging and edifying one another in the Christian faith. Despite governmental restrictions, and the threat of fine or imprisonment, may the church in Turkmenistan flourish and bear much good fruit.

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Turkmenistan News

  • Pastor Faces Threats of Arrest
    Pastor Rahymjan Borjakov
    Pastor Rahymjan
    Photo: Rahymjan Borjakov 
     

    According to recent reports, pressure appears to be mounting against Rahymjan Borjakov, a 44-year-old pastor who leads an unregistered church in Turkmenistan. While nothing definite has been announced, sources indicate that the Christian leader's arrest may be imminent amid repeated threats from the authorities.

    Read more...

  • Christmastime Raid
    Christians studying the Bible - Photo: World Watch Monitor www.worldwatchmonitor.org
    Pray that Turkmen believers will have opportunities to share God’s truths.
    Photo: World Watch Monitor

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