The Daily Tell

When we think of religious persecution, we often think of events that took place centuries ago – the crusades, or the Spanish Inquisition, to name a few examples. Unfortunately, however, religious persecution is still part of everyday life for religious minorities around the world. A charity called Global Women is working to put a stop to religious intolerance, especially in Kazahkstan.

Anara Nessipbekova, a Global Women ministry partner from Kazakhstan, has spent the last month in America helping to translate Christian materials into the Kazahk language. The nation of Kazakhstan, which sits in central Asia and is surrounded by a community of predominantly Muslim nations, is home to approximately 16 million people, only 15,000 of whom are Christian. These Christians can be subject to heartbreaking religious persecution.

According to Anara, being a Christian in central Asia can mean the loss of family, friends and employment. She knows from experience: When her brother became a Christian, his wife divorced him and will no longer allow him to have any contact with his four children.

Global Women works to provide Christians in Kazahkstan and other central Asian countries with the emotional and financial support to persevere in their faith even in the face of enormous adversity. The organization, based throughout the Southern U.S., is a nonprofit charity that aims to help followers of Jesus Christ be safe in their faith.