Turkmenistan, a nation with a 94% Muslim population, is a profoundly restricted country in which Christian worship is limited to churches that are part of government-sanctioned denominations. Additionally, the Turkmen government exerts a high level of control on the entire population, especially Christians. Despite the governmental and societal restrictions, the gospel is proclaimed regularly in Turkmenistan through media and personal testimonies.
Churches meet openly, but they are closely monitored. Christians’ homes may be raided at any time by authorities searching for Christian literature. Some families worship together in secret. If the government learns of a Turkmen becoming a Christian, the new believer faces immediate harassment and pressure. It is also difficult for believers to travel outside the country for Christian training or encouragement. A Turkmen-language Bible has been published, but the government has declared it illegal, and it is difficult to obtain.
Sources report that one house church leader who has been sharing the gospel has come under increased pressure from authorities. Officials have been showing up at his home and church with photos of family members, their cars and their license plates in an effort to scare him into ending his ministry.
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