How Does FEBC Share Christ in Kazakhstan?

When you live in Kazakhstan, it can be extremely difficult to understand what it means to be a Christian. Misinformation and propaganda about common Christian practices run wild in social and religious gatherings.  

Sharing the Gospel with the Kazakh People 

To be a Christian in Kazakhstan is often dangerous, and it’s illegal to proselytize—specifically to tell people to follow Jesus. However, it is perfectly legal to talk about who Jesus is, what the actual beliefs of Christianity are, and invite people who are Christians to share their personal stories online and through social media. By following these guidelines, FEBC Kazakhstan can carefully engage with their secular audience in creative ways.  

Our team can mention God in their programs but are diligent not to explicitly use Jesus’ name. If they do, their broadcasts could be censored and even taken down. 

Instead, FEBC’s team is creating programs to feature other people’s testimonies and experiences with God. Then, when listeners comment through the videos on social media and ask questions about Christianity, young broadcasters like Ulan are standing by to take time to respond privately to each person. They hope to then share the Gospel and point people toward faith in Jesus Christ. 

Recently, FEBC Kazakhstan launched a new podcast and one of their first guests was Max who has a dramatic story… 

Max’s Story 

Max is a 24-year-old living in Almaty, the biggest city in Kazakhstan. His parents are some of the few Christians in the country of Kazakhstan—his dad is even a pastor. Despite this, Max had no relationship with God. Over the years he had developed a huge gambling problem, which had plunged him into extreme debt. His creditors were constantly bombarding him to pay what he owed. 

One time Max was $15,000 in debt. He continued gambling though and won $20,000—more than enough to cover his high balance. 

With excitement, Max called all his friends who he had borrowed money from over to a restaurant. He planned to have dinner with them and then pay them back. 

On the way to the restaurant, he saw his bookie. After a brief conversation and a tempting offer, he thought, “Well, maybe I’ll bet $5,000. I’ll still be able to pay everybody off.” 

He decided to place a quick bet… and lost. He placed another $5,000 bet and lost again. After just 10 minutes, Max lost absolutely everything. His recent winnings were gone, and he had to cancel the dinner with his friends.  

The constant stress of his daily life, mixed with his gambling addiction began to build up until Max couldn’t take it anymore. 

 Days later, with trembling hands, Max tied a noose around a tree with the intent to hang himself. As the noose tightened, he braced for what he thought was the end. 

 “I thought I was dead but then I opened my eyes and the branch had broken.” Max survived. 

Addiction and Suicide in Kazakhstan 

Max’s story of gambling addiction and attempted suicide is all too common in Kazakhstan. 

Many young people in Kazakhstan fall victim to gambling, investing in the wrong places, and end up in debt, trapped and without a roadmap to recovery. 

Kazakhstan has one of the highest suicide rates in the world, for reasons just like this. 

Max’s Breaking Point 

Even after his failed suicide attempt he continued to gamble, and wondered to himself, “God, why did you save me? You should have left me to die.” 

He kept borrowing money from friends and family until they all reached a breaking point. They cut Max off, and he began to panic. Finally, he reached out to a Christian counselor. They talked for hours into the night. Max explained all about his gambling addiction, the suicide attempt, and the desperation he felt. 

The counselor helped Max realize something that changed his life: “I thought my life wasn’t fixable. When the branch broke and I didn’t die, I realized I was wrong,” Max said. 

In the days that followed, Max began his journey to recovery. He stood up in his dad’s church and admitted everything in front of the whole congregation. He also accepted Christ as his personal Savior during this moment. He started praying and asking God what he should do. “Whatever you tell me to do, I will do it.”  

Max felt God leading him to start a printing business, printing corporate logos onto different materials like cups and shirts. Within nine months Max had earned enough from his new business to pay off all his debts. 

Max’s story of his faith journey is just one example of how FEBC Kazakhstan is creating programs to effectively connect with listeners who are searching for the truth.  

Please join us in praying for this team as they minister in such a difficult country.