CENTRAL ASIA: WHERE GOING TO A SUMMER CAMP IS DANGEROUS

DID YOU GET TO A FESTIVAL OR CAMP SO FAR THIS SUMMER? WE’VE HAD A GREAT TIME SHARING ABOUT GOD’S HEART FOR HIS GLOBAL CHURCH AT SATELLITES, DREAMING THE IMPOSSIBLE, MAGNITUDE, NEW WINE, NEW DAY AND OTHERS TOO. BUT CAMPS AREN’T JUST HAPPENING IN THE UK… THOUGH IN SOME PLACES, HOLDING THESE EVENTS CAN BE PRETTY DANGEROUS.

A few weeks ago, a registered church in Central Asia held a summer camp, but the secret police closed it because the events included talks where the gospel was being explained. The reason: in some Central Asian countries, it’s illegal to evangelise to under 18s. The pastor was imprisoned for a week, during which time he endured several rounds of interrogation. He and his church have since each been fined the equivalent of around £450.

“That was a powerful moment”

But there is good news elsewhere, because a summer camp for men who come from a Muslim-majority region that can be hostile to Christianity did go ahead safely – and to huge success. 

Most of those who attended the event are believers, with others going to discover more about Christianity. The programme featured games, activities and extended meals, and talks on a variety of topics, including forgiveness – and it’s here that one young person was particularly impacted.

Yousef* grew up hating his father, who beat him and his sister when they were younger. He had recently been told that his father didn’t want to see him anymore. On arriving at the event, Yousef had been making plans for revenge, but after hearing about forgiveness, he decided to let go of his bitterness and forgive him. “That was a powerful moment,” shares a local partner.

A travelling miracle 

It’s not the only encouraging news. We regularly ask you to pray for summer camps in Central Asia, given the dangers, and when local partners involved in the camps heard about this, they wanted to let you know the difference your prayers make. 

“Dear brothers and sisters, thank you very much for your prayers,” said a partner. “We greatly appreciate your support and help with prayers and means and care. We feel your love and care and thank you and praise the Lord and God the Father for your obedience.”

“We really feel your prayers for the camps which we are organising,” said another partner. “Just yesterday, we had problem with tickets to travel, and today God already provided tickets for His children! It was really a miracle for all of us!”

*Name changed for security reasons