BMI's Ministry in Former Soviet Union Undeterred by Regional Violence
by Allie Martin
May 26, 2005
(AgapePress) - The work of a Christian ministry continues in one former Eastern bloc country despite recent violence. Earlier this month, rioting broke out in the Uzbek city of Andijan after demonstrators stormed a local prison and government facility, prompting a violent crackdown by police.Bible Mission International (BMI) has set as its goal to take the gospel to all the people groups of the former Soviet Union in this generation. The group has worked in Uzbekistan for years, providing free Bibles to locals, and offering Bible study and youth evangelism summer camps, as well as Christian education, training and preparation for individuals who want to minister to others.
BMI spokesman Mark Reimschisel says this ministry is dangerous, but it goes forward nevertheless. As a recent Mission Network News guest, he talked about the ever difficult but rewarding work that the organization carries out in Uzbekistan.
"It's always a balancing act as we work with existing believers and encourage them to reach out to folks," Reimschisel says. "Evangelism is very difficult when people are trying to share Christ with their neighbors of a different nationality and a different faith background." But the threat of violence and the hurdles of cultural differences are not the only obstacles to evangelism, he notes.
"There are some laws that the believers have to be aware of," the BMI spokesman says. Christians must always bear in mind that "they are in danger of being put in prison, of being fined heavily," he explains, "so we are always very careful in what we're doing there."
Still, Reimschisel says BMI's ministry plans have not been seriously affected by the regional violence or the other difficulties. Among other programs, the ministry still plans to hold its summer camps for children in Uzbekistan this summer.
Allie Martin, a regular contributor to AgapePress, is a reporter for American Family Radio News, which can be heard online.
