After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, persecution against Christians in Uzbekistan was intense for several decades. But today, that’s less of a focus for the government. Instead, those who decide to follow Jesus encounter trouble from their families, friends, and neighbors.  

Temir, 37, used to think negatively about Christianity and religion in general. He didn’t understand it. Somehow his wife had a Bible, though she wasn’t a believer, and Temir began to read it. Gradually, he began to understand what he was reading, and he went to a pastor for more training. He was eventually to be baptized.  

When his family found out, they told him to renounce his faith, but he refused. Then, when Temir got sick, his parents assumed it was a punishment for becoming a Christian. They wanted to call an Islamic cleric to perform an Islamic purification ritual over him, but Temir would not let them.  

After Temir got better, his parents told him they respected his religion and Christ, because they could see what kind of a person Temir had become. His life had changed after he became a Christian. His parents admitted they would like to follow Christ, but they were too afraid of what others would think if they made that decision. Temir and his local church continue to pray his parents would overcome their fear.  

Please join Temir in praying that his parents will soon be able to publicly stand for Christ.