Let's win AFGHANISTAN for JESUS!

Population
26 million
38% Pashtun
25% Tajik
19% Hazara
6% Uzbek
12% Other

Religion
Sunni Muslim 84%
Shi'a Muslim 15%
Zoroastrian, Jewish,
Christian, Baha'i 1%

CHRISTIANS IN AFGHANISTAN

Numbers: The number of native Christians in Afghanistan is, apparently, somewhere between 1,000 and 10,000. The best estimate appears to be around 3,000, although this number is based on somewhat dated information.

Denominational flavors: No data exist. Under the conditions now existing in Afghanistan, in which churches are not allowed to meet, this information is probably irrelevant. The last officially-tolerated formal church meeting in Afghanistan occurred in Kabul in 1976. Everything that is happening is happening underground.

History: There is no real Christian tradition in this Islamic country. The tiny Afghan Church was planted almost entirely by the informal witness of believing Western diplomats between 1850 and 1976. There have been no formally-appointed Christian missionaries in Afghanistan in modern times. At the height of Assyrian missionary activity 1100 years ago, there were missionaries in all of the cities along the Silk Road, but their flocks in the Afghan cities were always small and did not survive the intervening centuries.

Locations: The native Christians in Afghanistan are, apparently, all located in the main cities, particularly Kabul. Persons who convert to Christianity in the countryside do not survive.

Persecution: Persecution of Christians is intense. During the Taliban regime, persecution was accomplished both formally, by law, and informally, by tribes and families. Since the overthrow of the Taliban, though the legal system no longer imposes criminal sentences on Christians, it also does not interfere when a Christian’s family or tribe murders him for apostasy from Islam. The situation for native Christians in Afghanistan has not been much better under American occupation or the new elected (but firmly Islamic) regime than it was under Taliban rule. Foreign aid workers who are Christian are, however, somewhat more free to operate than they were under the Taliban.

Gospel of Peace to Afghanistan

“Gospel For Asia” To Broadcast In Two Official Afghan Languages

By Michael Ireland

Chief Correspondent, ASSIST News Service

Christian News Service www.worthynews.com

CARROLLTON, TEXAS (ANS) -- On September 11, as people around the world remember those who died in the terrorist attacks on the United States, GFA will begin broadcasting the Gospel into Afghanistan.

According to the GFA website, the programs will be aired daily in the nation's two official languages, Dari and Pashto. Spoken by 4 million Afghans, Dari (Afghan Persian) is the language of commerce and higher education. Pashto is used by around half the nation's population. The programs will initially consist of Scripture reading, eventually including Gospel teaching messages.

"We believe that God has been preparing the hearts of the Afghan people to receive the Word of God," said K.P. Yohannan, president of GFA.

With only 1,000 to 3,000 believers, Afghanistan is one of the least evangelized countries. In addition, war has decimated the land and impoverished the Afghan people in many ways. One in four Afghan women is a widow, and there are four million orphans. "The Lord cares intensely for the people of Afghanistan," continued K.P., "and they so desperately need the hope and peace of Christ."

The GFA site says: "Meanwhile the interim government is forging ahead with the delicate process of reconstruction. Recently Afghans celebrated their nation's independence from Britain for the first time since the Taliban fell. In a symbolic gesture, President Hamid Karzai released a dove into the air to express the desire for lasting peace."

"This is a most significant time to begin broadcasting the Gospel to the Afghan people. We know by experience that radio is one of the most powerful evangelistic tools available. That is why, under the Lord's direction, we are now launching our own network. Please pray that God will open many doors and bring multitudes to Himself in the days ahead." said K.P. Yohannan.