Uzbek pastor jailed and deserted but still faithful
Posted: Monday, January 21, 2008, 14:02 (GMT)
Following his return home from prison, Pastor Serikbayev sent out an invitation to his now disbanded congregation for a church service, but no one came.
"So I opened the Bible and started to worship by myself. I had prepared a sermon and I spoke to the empty walls, no one came. For two days I had sermons for nobody, but it was the most powerful and spiritual time in my life."
After a month, the majority of his congregation returned. By then the church had been stripped of its official registration.
"Our church is a cell church; every cell has three to five people. There are many groups. Once a week I gather together the leaders of these groups and preach to them," he says.
"I also go to the hospital with members of our church to visit the many ill people in our city, some have tuberculosis, and we try to comfort them with food, medicine and hair cuts.
"Because we have no registration we must do all charitable work illegally. If they catch us, it would be big trouble for us."
Pastor Serikbayev and Aitgul now have five children, and in spite of the dangers they face there is no thought of stopping their ministry.
"God put me here as a shepherd to care for his flock. As long as my heart beats I will care for the flock as a shepherd."
"Please pray for Pastor Salavat Serikbayev and his wife Aitgul," says Release International's CEO Andy Dipper. "And instead of just getting angry about persecution, let's get down on our knees. Pray for our brothers and sisters in Uzbekistan. Ask God to guide us in how we should provide for them, and to give us the courage and determination to live lives that are worthy of them and are just as effective for the gospel.
"In Uzbekistan and around the world Christians will face - not just mild ridicule but full-blown persecution for obeying the Great Commission of Christ, for being witnesses to their faith," says Dipper. "For those of us living in freedom, this is the crux. Is our witness worthy of persecution?"
Pastor Serikbayev told his story to Release International's partners, The Voice of the Martyrs, Canada. You can watch his story on the latest edition of World Update on the Persecuted Church, available for download on www.releaseinternational.org, or on DVD for screening in church.
The pioneering news bulletin was a world first for Release International. It is now also being screened on Revelation TV, The Omega Channel, and the web channel Premier.TV. Viewing numbers continue to climb, as through the webcast RI aims to give persecuted Christians - denied a hearing in their own nations - a truly global voice.
Through its network of partners, RI serves the persecuted church in 30 nations.
Have your say on this article
The comments below are readers' personal opinions and are in no way intended to reflect the editorial opinion of Christian Today.
Added: Thursday, January 24, 2008, 15:39 (GMT)
I don't understand the Gerry person. Christians are called to continue witnessing no matter what they face, and we must stand together with them, not say "I have no sympathy". The thing is, they DON'T deserve what happens, and the countries need to stop being so opposed to preaching, but they won't.
MM, Illinois, USA
Added: Tuesday, January 22, 2008, 12:15 (GMT)
Dear Sirs:
Thank you for remindIng us of our family members in Christ who suffer for the sake of His Name!
Our family members in Uzbekistan will suffer all the more as the EU more and more dodges the human rights violations of the current dictator there, a stance by the EU nations designed to enhance their ability to profit economically...
There are others who remain in prison - for shepherding the flock of God. Let us ask God's mercy and grace for them, for their flocks, and for their families - that they would remain to be Christ's witnesses, bringing more to Christ, as occurred with the jailer at Philippi!
Let us pray 1 Timothy 2:1-7 for President Islam Karimov and his regime.
Again, thank you.
Sincerely in Christ,
A Brother
x, US
Added: Tuesday, January 22, 2008, 0:16 (GMT)
I have no sympathy for advocates and practitioners of religious proselytizing - no matter what religion they represent. Where countries clearly state this practice to be unlawful, practitioners proceed at their own risk...and, in my opinion, deserve the outcome, however harsh. Why don't evangicals and other similar believers
Gerry, Missoula MT USA
Added: Monday, January 21, 2008, 19:37 (GMT)
those of us who are true believers in Jesus and are still able to worship Him and gather in freedom, because we live in free countries, are very blessed and protected by our Father in Heaven. He is truly protecting us while our brothers and sisters are persecuted in those countries, giving their very lives, freedoms, and families,their all forJesus. will we stand strong in our faith for Jesus when our time comes as it is surely coming as it is foretold in God,s Holy Word.or will we be found wanting.please read all of the"Left Behind" books writen by tim lahaye and jerry jenkins they are a fictional account of the end times and when Jesus returns.they tell of the Rapture and the Antichrist. they are well worth the reading by Christians. all Power and glory to our Father. Praise His Holy Name.
charlene boone, weatherford,tx. usa
