Isolated teens in Central Asia experience transformation at summer camps

For young Christians in Central Asia, attending summer camps can be risky. Many face opposition and persecution from their close family. But for those who do attend, they experience community and transformation – and a deeper faith that will help sustain them.

Christian festivals are often a staple for many young Christians in the UK and Ireland – a concentrated time of community, worship and teaching, learning more about Jesus and encountering God with their friends. 

The same is true for teenage believers around the world, including Central Asia, where many Christians live in Muslim-majority nations which follow a strict form of Islam. These camps are an amazing way for young, isolated Christians to gather, learn more about God and support one another. Sadly, those who attend these camps can often face pressure and persecution. Even asking for permission to go can cause problems for young Christians from Muslim families. 

Renat*, a local Open Doors partner from Central Asia, shares some of the difficulties young believers have faced this summer. 

Teens face opposition from families

“We really look forward to the camp, but there are difficulties,” he says. “There are a lot of them this year. One girl was forced by her stepfather to wear a hijab and not go out without it. She refused and has not gone anywhere for a week. She is 19 years old and is told that she needs to get married, and that she is too old for such a ‘nonsense’ camp.  

“Another young believer (17) was simply beaten when he asked his (Muslim) parents to write a power of attorney to attend the camp. His older brother and his friends (all Muslims) explained to him that he should go to work, and not rest when they themselves are doing nothing. 

“A new young Christian convert, Ahmad* (18), who decided to dedicate his life to Christ a few weeks ago, is under a lot of pressure from his uncle. We managed to come to an agreement with the family, so that he can attend the camp, but the uncle is a radical Islamist.” 

After the summer camp ended, Renat wrote again to share an update. “I heard that you prayed for our summer camp – thank you so much,” he says. “Your prayers meant a lot to us. By God’s grace, the camp was a success. Although we faced many challenges, everything was resolved with His help.” 

Ahmad persecuted by uncle 

Renat continues: “Ahmad was under house arrest by his uncle, but his mother secretly released him without informing the rest of the family, on the condition that he would return by Saturday at 3pm. We picked him up and quickly left by car. Thankfully, we arrived back on time, which helped build more trust between his mother and us.” 

While the summer camp was a welcome respite for Ahmad, his family, particularly his uncle, makes life extremely difficult for him. 

“Please continue to pray for Ahmad,” Renat adds. “His uncle is determined to make him a ‘true Muslim’. He forcibly took Ahmad’s Bible, tore it up, and threw it away. When Ahmad protested, saying, ‘What are you doing with the holy book?’, his uncle replied, ‘The Quran is the holy book.’ Ahmad responded, ‘But you haven’t even read it. It speaks of the Bible and calls it sacred too.’ In anger, his uncle grabbed Ahmad by the hair, tore out a clump, and said, ‘This is what Christians did to you.’ His uncle also forbade him from communicating with us.” 

Teens transformed by Christ at camp 

“During the camp, we had many deep conversations with Ahmad,” says Renat. “The main theme was relationships – with oneself, parents, friends, society and God. Ahmad prayed that God would help him forgive his uncle and reveal Himself not as a religion, but as a living person.” 

Despite the difficulties Ahmad and other young people face at home, they experienced God’s healing and transforming power which will sustain them in the coming weeks and months. 

“The camp had a profound impact on everyone who attended,” Renat continues. “As many said, ‘We are no longer the same as we were before.’ This transformation is both beautiful and concerning, as it may lead to persecution – harassment, humiliation, insults and even beatings – from relatives, friends and others in their community.” 

Renat asks you to join him in prayer: “We continue to pray that God will give these young Christians wisdom, strength and unwavering faith. That even while remaining in an Islamic culture, they will hold on to their belief in the living God. Would you join us in praying for them? Thank you again for your prayerful support.” 

*Names changed for security reasons