State of Children’s Ministry Overview 2009
Kazakhstan
Introduction to KAZAKHSTAN
THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN is the largest
and most-developed of the central Asian states,
and was created after the fall of the Soviet Union
in the early 1990s. An ethnic mix with more
European flavor than its southern neighbors, many
Kazakhstanis come from former nomadic families.
Political stability and natural resources have led to a
strengthening national identity.
The KAZAKHSTANI people
Total population: 15,399,437
Children under 15: 3,361,389
Average Life Expectancy: 67.87 years
Per capita annual income: $11,500
% children in primary school: 90.3%
Average years of education: 15 years
Literacy rate: 99.5%
Internet users: 2.3 million
Cell phones in use: 14.911 million
Major/official language(s): Kazakh, Russian
Risk issues impacting children:
-HIV/AIDS, mainly due to drug use, is increasing
rapidly.
-Thousands of children are institutionalized, while
those with special needs lack necessary education.
More about KAZAKHSTAN
Capital city: Astana
Type of government: Republic; Authoritarian
presidential rule
Square kilometers: 2,724,900
General terrain: Vast flat steppe from east to west;
Siberian plains in north; oases and deserts in the south
Major industries/jobs: Oil, coal, mining, agricultural
machinery
National motto: N/A*
Major airport(s):
Almanty
Astana
Compiled by 1 for 50 | Send questions and updates to 1for50@gmail.com | www.1for50.net
*Information not available
Sources: CIA World Factbook, www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook; Lonely Planet, www.lonelyplanet.com; World Christian Database 2008; Joshua
Project, www.joshuaproject.net; Operation World, www.operationworld.org; UNICEF, http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry; World Bank, http://web.worldbank.org/.
Asia
Reaching KAZAKHSTAN
Currently classified as World B: Somewhat Reached
Major religions:
Muslim - 47%
Russian Orthodox - 44%
Other - 7%
Protestant - 2%
Christian groups:
Other - 64.5%
Orthodox - 30.8%
Protestant - 3.4%
Roman Catholic - 1.3%
Unreached People Groups: 41 (61.6% of pop)
Average annual Christian growth: 0.028
Average annual baptisms: 41,200
Foreign missionaries: 210
Per million: 13.81
National Christian workers/pastors: 300
Per million: 19.72
Number of churches/congregations: 812
Children’s ministry in KAZAKHSTAN
Specific children’s ministry information has not been provided for Kazakhstan. The
following information regards general children’s ministry in Central Asia, and may
not all be applicable to this nation.
Overview: • Central Asia faces significant challenges in the
spread of the gospel, especially among the predominantly
Muslim governments which forbid evangelism and Christian
work. These obstacles extend to children. Persecution is a
common reality for believers in this region.
• The mountainous terrain and seemingly endless number of
local languages also makes ministry in this area a challenge.
• A small handful of mission and church leaders see the
strategic importance of focus on children and are offering
camps, outreach opportunities, and focusing on discipleship
and leadership development among the youth.
Focus for Prayer
Training children’s leaders for outreach in
812 congregations
Strategies for reaching and discipling
3,361,389 children for Christ