Unreached People Group Project

Uzbeks of Central Asia

By

Duane M. Saunders

Student ID# 22196873

Presented to Dr. David H. Campbell

In Partial fulfillment of the requirements of

Global Studies Survey

GLST 500

Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary

Lynchburg, VA

July 2012

TABLE OF CONTEXT

ABSTRACT…………………………………………………………………………….....2

BACKGROUND………………………………………………………………………….3

PEOPLE…………………………………………………………………………………...4

LANGUAGE……………………………………………………………………………...7

RELIGION………………………………………………………………………………...8

A SURVEY OF MISSIONS WORK……………………………………………………...9

PROPOSED STRATEGY……………………………………………………………….11

PERSPECTIVE ONE……………………………………………………………………11

PERSPECTIVE TWO…………………………………………………………………...12

PERSPECTIVE THREE………………………………………………………………...13

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ABSTRACT

The mandate for missions can be identified and traced throughout the Bible, both

in the Old Testament and New Testament. The Great Commission provides an easily

understood directive by which we as messengers of the gospel should seek to fulfill. If we

are truly to reach all nations, it will take a unique group of individuals who are willing to

step beyond their self-created confines of comfort, and step boldly into areas that have

been untouched by the gospel.

One such area is nestled in Central Asia, in the country of Uzbekistan. With a

total population of about 15 million, the Uzbeks lineage can be traced well past the times

of Genghis Khan during his subjugation of Eastern Europe during the 1300’s.

Historically, the majority of Uzbeks are a semi-nomadic people consisting of shepherds

and farmers. Currently most Uzbeks reside on farms or small towns. With a population

consisting of over eighty-percent Muslim, one would be hard pressed to find a Christian

in the midst. Recent statistics show that aside from the eighty-five percent Muslim

community, fourteen percent is identified as non-religious; leaving just one tenth of a

percent of Uzbeks that have been exposed to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Is it possible to

effectively evangelize an unreached people group identified as Uzbeks who have

received very little to no exposure to the word of God and Christianity?

This paper will seek to provide information useful to any organization that seeks

to better understand foreign missions and how one must adequately prepare for such

demanding undertaking. Before any mission oriented engagement, proper background

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information must be obtained; and a proper survey must be conducted. It is at this

juncture that the proposed organization must develop a solid strategy by which to guide

their initiative. Although not exhaustive, this paper will serve as a framework to conduct

effective ministry and missions in a region that is unfamiliar and to a people who have

yet to be reached with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

BACKGROUND

Located in Central Asia, the current territory of Uzbekistan has experienced quite

a colorful history. From the conquest of Muslim Aribs in the seventh through eigth

centuries; to the Timur conquest of the Mongols in the thirteen-hundreds, and the

Boleshevik Revolution of 1917. In the beginning of the twentieth century, Central Asia

(including Uzbekistan) were under the iron fist and rulership of the Soviet Union.

Uzbekistan which stood as the fourth largest Soviet territory and its people the Uzbeks

declared independence from the Soviet Union on August 31, 1991.1 Slightly larger that

the state of California, Uzbekistan encompasses approximately two hundred and

senventy-nine thousand land miles. Natural land boundaries provide Uzbekistan and it

citizens several boardering nehibor countries; some of which are Afghanistan,

Kazakhstan, Krygyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. The terrain of Uzbekistan

consists of flat-to-rolling sandy desert, broad, flat, intensely irrigted river valleys that rest

along the Amu Darya, and Syr Darya rivers. Uzbekistan’s topology also consists of

1 Boikova, E. V.. Kinship in the Altaic world: proceedings of the 48th Permanent International Altaistic Conference, Moscow 10-15 July, 2005. Wiesbaden: Harrassowitz, 2006.

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semiarid grasslands surrounded by mountains.2 The above information should be taken

into consideration as one seeks to better understand the area in which they are being sent.

PEOPLE

It should be noted that the Uzbeks inhabbit what is statistically identified as

Central Asia’s most populous country. The majority of which are condensed throughout

the southern and eastern regions of the country. The country of Uzbekistan was recently

estimated to be close to twenty-eight million. A large majority of Uzbeks have and are

currently involved in the farming of cotton. “White Gold” as it has been called in past

years serves as their main cash crop.

Uzbekistan is still considered an agriculturally based society and holds the

position as the worlds forth largest cotton producer. Some advancements have been made

to better capitalize the natural resources held within the clutches of its soil such as natural

gas and gold. A recent Central Intelligence Agency report provides some unique insight

into the people of Uzbekistan. Over one third of the agricultural labor force is forced

labor, of more than half are children under the age of eighteen.3 Once identified as one of

the worlds largest lakes the Aral Sea, which rests in the northern portion of the country;

once served as a solid natural resource. In the 1960’s the Soviet Union embarked upon a

2 "Uzbekistan." U.S. Department of State. http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2924.htm (accessed June 1, 2012)

3 Central Intelligence Agency. "World Facts." Uzbekistan. https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/uz.html (accessed June 29, 2012)

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large scale irrigation program that diverted water from the rivers that fed this large mass

of water to boost cotton production in the Central Asian desert. This measure overtime

has killed the fishing economy of Uzbekistan. In a matter of decades the once thriving

water mass has all but dried up to just a memory.4 Figure one shows the geographical

limitations and boundaries of Uzbekistan, and their neighboring countries. You may also

note in this pre-2010 map, the Aral Sea to the NorthWestern portion of the country.

4 Ferraro, Gary P., and Susan Andreatta. Cultural anthropology: an applied perspective. Ninth ed. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, 20112012.

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Figure 1 : Uzbekistan

Figure two shows a recent satellite view of Uzbekistan (post 2010). Notice where the

Aral Sea once stood.

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Figure 2: The dried-up Aral Sea to the North Western section of the country.

United State govenmental statistics provide some very useful data regarding

Uzbeks. The table below will prove useful as potential misionaries seek to strategize how

they will conduct their missionary efforts. One might also find the fact that the literacy

rate of those over the age of fifteen is approximately 99%.5 The Uzbek people are not

primitive by any stretch of the imagination. Aside from the cotton that this country

produces, they also produce vegetables, fruits, grain, and livestock. Uzbekistan can be

seen in some areas as semi-industrial as well; in the fabrication of textiles, food

processing, machining, mettallurgy, mining, and hydrocarbon extraction. The Central

Intelligence Agency has also reported that “Uzbekistan is a source country for women

and girls trafficked to Kazakhstan, Russia, the Middle East, and Asia for the purpose of

commercial sexual exploitation; men are trafficked to Kazakhstan and Russia for

purposes of forced labor in the construction, cotton, and tobacco industries; men and

5 Central Intelligence Agency. "World Facts." Uzbekistan. https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/uz.html (accessed June 29, 2012)

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women are also trafficked internally for the purposes of domestic servitude, forced labor

in the agricultural and construction industries, and for commercial sexual exploitation”.6

0-14 years 26.5% (male 3,817,755/female 3,635,142)

15-64 years 68.8% (male 9,620,356/female 9,742,818)

65 years and over 4.7% (male 560,574/female 751,955)

The U.S. recognized the independence of Uzbekistan since December 1991, and

established an Embassy in Tashkent in March 1992. February 2012 marked 20 years of

diplomatic relations between the United States and Uzbekistan. This should provide some

sense of security knowing that there is a US Embassy if needed, it would be wise to

communicate with the US officials in Uzbekistan to ensure proper protocol is followed as

a visitor to a foreign country.

The language Uzbek is the official language of Uzbekistan. However Russian is

also spoken interethnically. The Uzbek language is relatively young, and has been

officially recognized since 1925.7 The Uzbek language is an off-spin of the Turkic

language family, and is seen as a combination of several different languages spoken in

Central and North Western Asia. In conducting missionary operations, it may be wise to

identify Christians in the United States that are Christian who speak Uzbek. Winter and

6 Ibid.7 Fierman, William. Language planning and national development: the Uzbek experience. Berlin: Mouton de Gruyter, 1991.

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Hawthorne submit, “The country of Uzbekistan reports that over fifty groups within it do

not speak Uzbek”, therefore they must be addressed separately.8

Approximately 88% of Uzbeks are Sunni Muslim. Uzbeks believe there is one

God, who they call Allah revealed by the prophet Mohammed as recorded in their holy

book the Koran. One will find interesting that many younger Uzbeks are categorized as

atheists or non-religious.9 It goes without saying that an initiative of this magnitude will

not be easy. The sentiment held toward “western missionaries” is not favorable, and

organizations doing missions work in this country must proceed with a great sense of

caution, despite the presents of a United States Embassy.

SURVEY OF MISSION WORK

As previously mentioned, a country that posseses over 88% islamic adherents;

one would be hard pressed to find open arms for those who do not follow the teachings of

the prophet Mohammed. Uzbeks are very suspicious of outsiders, and as such have

8 Winter, Ralph D., Steven C. Hawthorne, Darrell R. Dorr, D. Bruce Graham, and Bruce A. Koch.Perspectives on the world Christian movement: a reader. 4th ed. Pasadena, Calif.: William Carey Library, 2009.p536

9 "Uzbek, Uzbekistan Ethnic People Profile." Joshua Project - Unreached Peoples of the World. http://www.joshuaproject.net/people-profile.php?peo3=14039&rog3=UZ (accessed June 17, 2012).

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become very apprehensive in dealing with Americans and Europeans. In a European

publication, one Uzbek official has openly expressed his criticisms toward missionary

groups he believes interfere with the geopolitical process.10 Because missionaries have

sought to bring the Word of God the people of Uzbekistan state television has labeled

such work as a “hidden threat to Uzbek society”, and have even gone as far as comparing

missionary work to that of terrorist activities or participation in illegal drug trade.11 One

of the biggest roadblocks in reaching this ethnic group is found under Uzbek Law; which

states that all religious missionary activity is prohibited, to include those who the state

deems unregistered to include the dissemination of religious literature.12

Those who seek to openly evangelize this portion of the globe risk deportation,

detention, and public persecution. Joshua Project statistics show that one tenth of a

percent of Uzbek have been exposed to Christianity.13 Many Muslims in this region

believe that missionaries target Uzbeks with low political awareness and weak-willed

young people to include minors; all of which seeks to undermine Uzbek people’s Sunni

Muslim faith and values. Former Soviet influence is seen as the country of Uzbekistan

controls all aspects of religious life in the country.

10 " Uzbekistan: Government Launches Campaign Against Missionaries." Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty. http://www.rferl.org/content/article/1144494.html (accessed July 1, 2012).

11 Ibid.

12 Ibid.

13  "Uzbek, Northern of Uzbekistan Ethnic People Profile." Joshua Project - Unreached Peoples of the World. http://www.joshuaproject.net/people-profile.php?peo3=14039&rog3=UZ (accessed June 17, 2012).

10

There have been a great deal of pastors and missionaries that have sought to bring

the Word of God to the Uzbeks. A Christianity Today article related a story of a Christian

pastor who was jailed for eight years, because he conducted Bible studies and having

Christian books in his home. This was not this pastor’s first brush with the law. In 1999

Pastor Serikbayev was jailed for having Bibles and performing baptisms. The pastor is

quoted as stating the following amidst his persecution… "I had a family including two

children at that time, he says. "Still I was happy to suffer for Christ; this was something I

could do for Jesus."14 This region can not been seen as hospitable to groups outside of

Islam. But there is hope. There is a small pocket of Uzbek Christians who seek to spread

the message of Jesus Christ. Under great persecution they have continued to exercise

their faith.

PROPOSED STRATEGY

In light of the previously discovered information, developing a missiological

strategy may not be as easy as once thought.

PERSPECTIVE ONE

14 "Uzbek pastor jailed and deserted but still faithful | Christian News on Christian Today." Christian News on Christian Today. http://www.christiantoday.com/article/uzbek.pastor.jailed.and.deserted.but.still.faithful/16372.htm (accessed June 15, 2012).

11

According to the U.S. Center for World Mission, Uzbekistan falls within a unique

geographical location identified as the “10/40 Window”.15 As detailed in the Joshua

Project, the 10/40 Window is a rectangular area of North Africa, Asia, and the Middle

East. Its precise location is 10˚ north and 40 ˚ north lattitude, and is often referred to as

the “Resistance Belt”.16 This area currently holds a vast majority of the world’s Hindus,

Muslims, and Buddhists; which has been estimated to the sum of over 4.5 billion people,

and the least evangelized people groups in the world.

A missionary group who seeks to operate within this window must understand

that there are heavy spiritual strongholds that exist in this region. Not only has this region

been overshadowed with severe poverty and disease, they have (through governmental

restriction) been disuaded from seeking the transforming power of the Gospel.17 This

region of peoples provide a direct link of what the Apostle Paul wrote in his second letter

15 "What is the 10/40 Window?" Joshua Project - Unreached Peoples of the World

http://www.joshuaproject.net/10-40-window.php

16 Ibid.17 Ibid.

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to the church at Corinth… “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so

that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the

image of God.”18 It is my belief, that if an organization or missionary is truly led of God

to work in this region additional planning is needed to seek out other organization who

have done this in the past. The 10/40 window consists of many who are unreached, but

that does not mean they are unreachable.

PERSPECTIVE TWO

When looking at the facilitation of missionary work in Uzbekistan and among the

Uzbek people; and exhaustive analysis of the region, people, customs, government, and

major religion must be conducted. It would not be unreasonable to plan this mission for

less than twenty-four months. The government of Uzbekistan has warned against

missionary activities in their country. There are state registered non-Muslim religious

organizations at work in Uzbekistan, but they are highly regulated as to the purposes of

their existence in the country. In all, a missions organization should search to identify

Uzbeks who have taken hold of the Gospel, and seek to develop a bond with them

through providing the basic necessities, even if they cannot personally be in the country.

There is a great deal that can still be done from afar through prayer and physical

resources. Wayne Dye urges readers and students to understand the role of the Holy

Spirit, and how it transforms the lives of others.19 Smalley and Kietzman state that the

missionaries basic responsibility is to provide the material upon which the native believer

18 "2 Corinthians 4:4 NIV - The god of this age has blinded the - Bible Gateway." BibleGateway.com: A searchable online Bible in over 100 versions and 50 languages.. http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Corinthians+4%3A4&version=NIV (accessed June 29, 2012).19 Winter, Ralph D., Steven C. Hawthorne, Darrell R. Dorr, D. Bruce Graham, and Bruce A. Koch.Perspectives on the world Christian movement: a reader. 4th ed. Pasadena, Calif.: William Carey Library, 2009.p495

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and the church can grow; and in doing so the people will in time grow in “grace and

knowledge”, which will proportionately affect their ability to make spirit directed

decisions.20

PERSPECTIVE THREE

Developing a direct strategy for sending a church or laborers to this reagin will

take a great deal of delliberation. Fully concidering the above written details and facts

will no doubt discourage many organization from even considering such an initiative.

Never the less, an exploritory trip to provide a complete understanding of the challenges

that reside in this region and country may be prudent. As alluded to earlier, this is not an

unattainable task, as there is a great work to be done amidst the Uzbek people. Extreme

caution must be taken to ensure the safety and wellbeing of missionaries traveling to

Uzbekistan. Missionary work among unreached groups is laborous and lengthy.21 For

certain this is a bold challenge, however with the proper planning and support it is

possible to increase the numbers of Uzbeks who have been given the opportunity to learn

of Jesus Christ.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

20

Ibid., 505

21 Ibid., 519

14

"2 Corinthians 4:4 NIV - The god of this age has blinded the - Bible Gateway."

BibleGateway.com: A searchable online Bible in over 100 versions and 50 languages..

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Corinthians+4%3A4&version=NIV

Boikova, E. V.. Kinship in the Altaic world: proceedings of the 48th Permanent

International Altaistic Conference, Moscow 10-15 July, 2005. Wiesbaden: Harrassowitz,

2006.

Central Intelligence Agency. "World Facts." Uzbekistan.

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/uz.html

Ferraro, Gary P., and Susan Andreatta. Cultural anthropology: an applied

perspective. Ninth ed. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, 20112012.

Fierman, William. Language planning and national development: the Uzbek

experience. Berlin: Mouton de Gruyter, 1991.

"Uzbek pastor jailed and deserted but still faithful | Christian News on Christian

Today." Christian News on Christian Today.

http://www.christiantoday.com/article/uzbek.pastor.jailed.and.deserted.but.still.faithful/

16372.htm

"Uzbek, Northern of Uzbekistan Ethnic People Profile." Joshua Project -

Unreached Peoples of the World. http://www.joshuaproject.net/people-profile.php?

peo3=14039&rog3=UZ

"Uzbekistan: Government Launches Campaign Against Missionaries." Radio Free

Europe / Radio Liberty. http://www.rferl.org/content/article/1144494.html

15

"Uzbekistan." U.S. Department of State.

http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2924.htm

"What is the 10/40 Window?" Joshua Project - Unreached Peoples of the World

http://www.joshuaproject.net/10-40-window.php

Winter, Ralph D., Steven C. Hawthorne, Darrell R. Dorr, D. Bruce Graham, and

Bruce A. Koch.Perspectives on the world Christian movement: a reader. 4th ed.

Pasadena, Calif.: William Carey Library, 2009

16