In the vast, rugged landscapes of Kazakhstan, a profound spiritual transformation is taking place. Amid ancient traditions and a predominantly Islamic culture, a small but growing number of Uyghurs are embracing Christianity, often through extraordinary encounters with Jesus in dreams
This movement, though subtle, is reshaping lives and communities in the remote southeastern regions of the country, near the border with China.
Kazakhstan, the world’s largest landlocked nation, stretches across sweeping grasslands, alpine valleys, and towering mountain ranges. In the village of Shonzhy, a four-hour drive east from Almaty, the Uyghur population has historically adhered to Islamic practices and cultural traditions such as herding horses and sheep across the Kazakh steppe.
Yet, as CBN News reports, a spiritual revolution is quietly unfolding in these remote corners. Rico, a Uyghur evangelist, shared, “We have about 25 Uyghur villages here, quite unreached with the gospel”.
One compelling story is that of Gulnisa, a woman from a Muslim background who battled a chronic illness for five years. Despite seeking help through traditional Islamic prayers and rituals, her condition persisted.
“I was unwell and wouldn’t leave my home for 5 years,” Gulnisa told CBN News. “I would read the Quran and pray Muslim ritual prayers and went to mullahs or those that use tarot cards but couldn’t find any help.” Her life changed dramatically after a vivid dream. “Jesus himself came to me in a dream,” she recounted.
“I had something like a ball and white cord in my hand, and it was unraveling, and the road was white, and Jesus said it’s ours. He smiled at me”.
Initially unaware of who Jesus was, Gulnisa searched online for images and recognized Him as the figure from her dream, described as “dressed in white and bright light was emanating from Him”. This encounter led her to join a small house church in her village, marking a turning point in her spiritual journey.
The house church Gulnisa attends is led by Marat and Nurlikiz Urazov, who relocated from western Kazakhstan to share the gospel with the Uyghur community. Their journey was not without challenges.
“Life here is very difficult, very difficult,” Nurlikiz told CBN News. “When we moved here for the first time, we were in shock for the entire week, we didn’t know what to do. We lived in a barn, didn’t have any money, we were sitting and crying about what we should do. We started to pray, and we heard Jesus’ voice.
‘Don’t cry my son and my daughter, I will give you strength, whatever I tell you, just do it'”. Their perseverance has borne fruit, with about a dozen people now attending their weekly services.
Marat expressed their mission clearly: “My wife and I are praying that God will touch everyone among the Uyghur community here so that they would all hear the Good News and spread God’s Word; that’s the reason we are here”.
This spiritual movement is not without precedent in the region. Across Central Asia, reports of dreams and visions leading Muslims to Christianity have surfaced, echoing similar phenomena in other parts of the Muslim world.
However, the growth of Christianity in Kazakhstan faces challenges due to government restrictions on religious freedom.
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