Azerbaijan
WEC International
April 2021
North Azerbaijani unreached people
There are 9 million Azerbaijani people, living in 19 countries, predominantly in Eastern Europe. Less than 1% of these people call themselves Christians. Please pray that more workers will step forward to take the good news to Azerbaijanis.
Open Doors UK and Ireland
July 2015
Considered traitors
It is thought there are just 10,000 ethnic Azeri Christians. Azeri culture is Islamic, and Christianity is associated with Azerbaijan's hated enemy Armenia; those who convert to Christianity are considered traitors. Churches must be registered, but none have been able to do so since January 2010. Churches face raids, threats, arrests and fines. Official checks are becoming increasingly strict, and the government appears to be tightening its grip on religious groups. It is illegal to hold religious meetings in private homes, but almost impossible to build church buildings. Pray that Christians will be able to meet together safely. With many Christians struggling to find and keep jobs due to discrimination, ask God to provide for them. Finally, praise God that the number of indigenous believers continues to grow. Ask God to help new believers to grow in their faith.
IFES
July 2014
Full of energy, passion and hope
The greatest strength of the student ministry in Azerbaijan is a staff team full of energy, passion and hope. Because of restrictions, it is not possible for Christians to meet at universities, so they have formed city groups. Presently, there are groups in three of the four cities, with steps being taken to start in the fourth city. The main challenge is to connect with students, whether Christian or not. The number of Christian students is falling, as they often avoid going to study at university, where there tends to be a lot of corruption.
Open Doors UK and Ireland
January 2013
Part of the family
A pastor in Azerbaijan shares: "When you are a Christian, you lose your friends, your job, you don't have any money. When you live in a society where people kind of hate you and don't want any relationship with you, you feel isolated. Thank God for people who pray. You feel that not everyone in this world hates you, there are some people who care about you, who feel that you're part of the family even if you have never met them. I can't explain how great is the blessing to have people from outside of the country who pray for you, who stay outside but you feel that that person stays with you in prayer. It's a great encouragement. Please continue to pray for us."
Release International
May 2012
Church closures
In Azerbaijan, authorities have taken legal action to try to close down a church under a controversial law. Observers say the move to ban Greater Grace Church, in the capital Baku, could set a precedent for further church closures. In the past the authorities have acted in secret to close down churches. Now observers fear they could act openly, with the backing of the law. Please pray that the Azerbaijan authorities will relent from their unconstitutional action that could close Greater Grace Church and lead to the closure of others. Pray for godly wisdom and courage for the judge, and for church leaders and members.
Open Doors UK and Ireland
January 2010
Churches unable to register
Azerbaijan’s Constitution declares that religion and state are separate. However, the Religion Law adopted in 1992, has been amended several times, each time making it more restrictive. In May 2009, new amendments required churches to re-register with the State Committee before 1st January 2010. Very few evangelical churches are allowed to register. “I have been a pastor for ten years,” said one leader, “and I have seen the increase in obstacles to obtaining registration. If your church isn't registered, the authorities watch your meetings and put the church under pressure through spies and informants. Some pastors get arrested and fined. Even if you do have registration, you cannot evangelise outside the church building!”
Organisations with connections in Azerbaijan
Population: 9,823,667 (2017)
Literacy: 97%
Official languages: Azerbaijani
GDP (PPP) per capita: $18,550 (2017 est.)
Life expectancy: 71 years
Religions: 95% Muslim, 4% Russian Orthodox, 1% other religions