For each of our 12 days of Christmas, we are profiling one of our leaders overseas. Please join us in praying for this leader today.
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AkbarUzbekistan
Some sects of Christianity, such as the Eastern Orthodox Church, consider Epiphany (the 12th day of Christmas) the most important day of the Christmas season.
Akbar is a 28-year-old who grew up with an alcoholic, abusive father. Their family became homeless, and Akbar became dissatisfied with Islam. In 2012, Akbar heard the gospel and accepted Christ. Since 2017, he has obeyed God’s call to plant churches throughout Uzbekistan.
Since 2020, he has been bringing our disciplemaking training to Muslim-dominated areas, where Christians are still persecuted. He leads a housechurch in southern Uzbekistan and helps a network of churches that covers the entire Samarkand region, training them and helping them grow and make disciples.
Akbar also works as a taxi driver. Not only does this job provide income for his family, but it also provides him with opportunities to connect with people and share his faith.
Pray for Akbar to have wisdom in balancing his work, ministry, and family time. He and his wife have two young children, and he has been very busy this year.