Central Asian Unengaged Peoples

Many people have heard of the Uighurs of Xinjiang, China, but few know of the many other Central Asians who live there. Among them are six unengaged, unreached people groups: the Akto Turkmen and Kyrgyz of the Tien Shan foothills, the Tatars of the Gurbantünggüt Desert, the Uzbeks scattered across Xinjiang’s cities, and the Sarikoli and Wakhi — Pamiri peoples, many of whom dwell in high mountain ranges. Most practice a syncretistic form of Islam and live in regions untouched by the gospel. Access to these people is limited by their remote locations as well as government-imposed restrictions. For many, Xinjiang itself represents the “ends of the earth,” yet for those living in its most remote mountain and desert regions, even those from Xinjiang might say that these peoples dwell at the ends of the earth. But God has not forsaken these places. Because literacy in a trade language is often limited among these people, please pray for Bible translation efforts into the local languages. Pray for Chinese and other local believers to share the gospel with these people groups.