Uzbek pastor jailed and deserted but still faithful
Posted: Monday, January 21, 2008, 14:02 (GMT)
A Christian pastor in Uzbekistan has been describing how he was arrested and jailed for eight years just for conducting Bible studies and having Christian books in his home – freedoms most people take for granted.
The police have come for him three times, his congregation has deserted him, his youngest daughter almost starved to death, yet still Pastor Salavat Serikbayev remains faithful to the Lord, reports Christian persecution watchdog Release International.
Pastor Serikbayev leads an unregistered Pentecostal church in the autonomous region of Karakalpakstan. He tells his story on video in the latest edition of World Update on the Persecuted Church, the award-winning webcast from Release International.
Under Karakalpakstan’s repressive religious policy only Muslim communities and a single Russian Orthodox parish are allowed to operate. All other religious activity is illegal.
Pastor Serikbayev, a former Muslim, was jailed in 1999 for conducting Bible studies, performing baptisms and having dozens of Bibles and Christian books in his home. But jail and several other brushes with the law have not stopped him from serving Jesus.
"I had a family including two children at that time," he says. "Still I was happy to suffer for Christ; this was something I could do for Jesus."
Undeterred he continued to lead a church. Then in February 2006, he was arrested again for his religious activities in Karakalpakstan. He was sentenced to two years of correctional labour, reduced to one year, and was made to cultivate plants in the desert.
He was in trouble again the following year when the police raided his church. Says Pastor Serikbayev: "I was at a monthly pastor’s meeting at this apartment. After half an hour, 15 of 16 policemen raided the meeting and said, why are you here? Many had no passports, so everyone was arrested and taken to the police station.
"I was charged with illegally teaching in an illegal meeting," he told Release International’s partners, The Voice of the Martyrs, Canada.
Pastor Serikbayev' wife Aitgul was confined to her home by authorities after her husband’s arrest.
Out of fear, Christians refused to help the family and relatives rejected them because of their faith in Jesus. Their oldest daughter Rachel, just two at the time, almost starved to death.
"I was not mad at God," says Aitgul. "I found in the Bible that man does not live only by bread, but the Word of God. Of course it was a hard time, but it was also a time of blessing."
Have your say on this article
The comments below are readers' personal opinions and are in no way intended to reflect the editorial opinion of Christian Today.
Added: Thursday, January 24, 2008, 15:39 (GMT)
I don't understand the Gerry person. Christians are called to continue witnessing no matter what they face, and we must stand together with them, not say "I have no sympathy". The thing is, they DON'T deserve what happens, and the countries need to stop being so opposed to preaching, but they won't.
MM, Illinois, USA
Added: Tuesday, January 22, 2008, 12:15 (GMT)
Dear Sirs:
Thank you for remindIng us of our family members in Christ who suffer for the sake of His Name!
Our family members in Uzbekistan will suffer all the more as the EU more and more dodges the human rights violations of the current dictator there, a stance by the EU nations designed to enhance their ability to profit economically...
There are others who remain in prison - for shepherding the flock of God. Let us ask God's mercy and grace for them, for their flocks, and for their families - that they would remain to be Christ's witnesses, bringing more to Christ, as occurred with the jailer at Philippi!
Let us pray 1 Timothy 2:1-7 for President Islam Karimov and his regime.
Again, thank you.
Sincerely in Christ,
A Brother
x, US
Added: Tuesday, January 22, 2008, 0:16 (GMT)
I have no sympathy for advocates and practitioners of religious proselytizing - no matter what religion they represent. Where countries clearly state this practice to be unlawful, practitioners proceed at their own risk...and, in my opinion, deserve the outcome, however harsh. Why don't evangicals and other similar believers
Gerry, Missoula MT USA
Added: Monday, January 21, 2008, 19:37 (GMT)
those of us who are true believers in Jesus and are still able to worship Him and gather in freedom, because we live in free countries, are very blessed and protected by our Father in Heaven. He is truly protecting us while our brothers and sisters are persecuted in those countries, giving their very lives, freedoms, and families,their all forJesus. will we stand strong in our faith for Jesus when our time comes as it is surely coming as it is foretold in God,s Holy Word.or will we be found wanting.please read all of the"Left Behind" books writen by tim lahaye and jerry jenkins they are a fictional account of the end times and when Jesus returns.they tell of the Rapture and the Antichrist. they are well worth the reading by Christians. all Power and glory to our Father. Praise His Holy Name.
charlene boone, weatherford,tx. usa
