Emerging Mongolia (Spring 2002)

Over the past two millennia, various religious faiths have found their way into Mongolia. The Silk Road saw not only trade, but Christianity, Islam and Buddhism, move between east and west.

For most of the twentieth century, Mongolia was controlled by the Soviet Union and had its own Stalinist dictator in place. In the late 1980’s, Gorbachev and 'perestroika' liberalised Mongolia. The Soviets withdrew and as visitors were allowed in again, less than a handful of Christians were found to be in the country.

The Mongolian Communists managed to hold on to power for some years and exercised Soviet style control while maintaining that Buddhism and Islam were the officially protected religions, although Shamanism has probably the largest number of adherents. The guarantee of freedom of religion in the 1992 Constitution proved not to apply to 'foreign' religions, leaving the new Christians facing persecution and hardship.

Today, Mongolia is an emerging democracy and relatively open, despite restrictions, with around 400 Christian missionaries. Many are involved in relieving the suffering caused by the desperate economic plight of the nation. Severe winters and great losses of livestock have impoverished many.

That handful of Christians has grown to 12,000 or more and there is at least a small gathering of Believers in every province. As we praise God for this, also remember the difficulties faced by the young church. It is not easy to register as a church or mission and Christians face discrimination constantly. Pray also that God would bring sound Biblical teaching to the young church.