Region / Country: Eurasia

A knife under the pillow

Niraj* seemed to be a confident, easy-going medical student. But at night, it was a different story. He was haunted by nightmares and always slept with the light on. What he learned in medical school had not been able to help him, so he kept a knife under his pillow to keep the bad dreams away. 

An attractive community 

Niraj is one of around 1,500 students from India, studying in Yerevan, Armenia’s ancient capital city. He’s a regular at the IFES student Bible studies and even attends their prayer meetings, along with other Hindu classmates. He loves the community. It’s a place of escape, away from the Indian international student bubble; it’s a place of acceptance, unrelated to his academic performance. No gossip, no back-biting, no pressure.  

No fear. 

As for the Christian stuff – he could get on board with much of it. Jesus seemed like a good idea, and didn’t seem incompatible with his loose Hindu beliefs. But his Christian friends told him that he had to choose: you can’t just add on Jesus to another set of beliefs. It’s all or nothing. Following Jesus will affect every part of your life. Your work, your marriage, your speech, your money, your free time. 

It sounded a bit intrusive to Niraj. 

Hinduism plus Jesus 

Niraj’s story is not uncommon. Each year, hundreds of Hindu students from India arrive in Armenia. Tuition is cheaper and university places are easier to find. Medical students like Niraj are there for six years – so there’s time to invest in them. And they’re keen to be part of IFES activities and community. But many, like Niraj, adopt a ‘Hinduism plus Jesus’ framework. A whole-hearted leap of faith to trust in Christ alone is hard. Niraj’s friends have been praying for him to come to faith in time. For some, it’s a matter of small steps. 

Recently, Niraj took another small step. 

He no longer sleeps with a knife under his pillow. 

Instead, he prays:

“Jesus, You are with me. You are watching over me. So I’m going to bed.” 

Pray, with Niraj’s friends, that he’d come to trust more and more fully in the God whose ways are better, whose grace is sufficient, whose love casts out fear. 

When following Jesus leads to suspicion

Eight students from the IFES movement in Armenia attended the IFES Formación training event for student leaders in Ukraine last week. There should have been nine, but Hayk* couldn’t make it. His father said yes at first, but later changed his mind. Like Hayk, many students in Armenia experience opposition from their family and friends when they start getting involved with IFES activities. One student leader explained: 

“As a Christian at university, everyone considers you strange, old-fashioned, and someone who doesn’t want to enjoy life. It’s hard to share the gospel because if they find out you’re a Christian or if they hear the word ‘Jesus’ or ‘church’, they’ll think you’re a member of a sect. For them, the only true church is the national church.” 

  • Pray that the eight students who attended Formación would be catalysts for revival on their campuses, living holy lives and boldly sharing the gospel with their friends and family. In a culture where it’s rare to see students take leadership initiative, pray that these Christian students would feel equipped and motivated to help lead their groups. 
  • Pray that the new building the movement has just bought would be a place where misconceptions and suspicion about following Jesus are broken down, where strong friendships are formed and where many encounter the God of grace. 
  • In a country where inter-denominational collaboration is rare, pray for a willingness among local churches to partner with the IFES movement. 

    name changed*

Thanks for praying with us!

Students reaching students in a new city in Georgia

This weekend, Christian students from the city of Kutaisi are going away together for the first time. Until a year ago, there was no SKSK ministry happening at all in the city. Now, students are gathering to learn about how they can reach out to their friends with the good news of Jesus. God is at work in this city. 

One student particularly grateful for the support of SKSK is Lana. Lana is a fourth-year student from a large Christian family. She’s been praying for her three friends, Ira, Mira and Mano*, for a long time. They agreed to go along to a Christmas party. Since then, Lana and her three friends have met up with the two new local SKSK staff workers. Lana is praying that Ira, Mira and Mano would be willing to start studying the Bible together. 

Join us in praying for Lana and other Christian students in Kutaisi as they seek to share Jesus with their friends. 

  • Pray for the weekend away to be a great time of building friendships and growing in love for Jesus. 
  • Most people in Georgia identify as Orthodox, and some are hostile towards evangelical Christians. In this context, pray that SKSK students would share their faith authentically, with boldness and genuine love. 
  • Pray for Ira, Mira and Mano to be willing to read the Bible with Lana. Pray that they would come to faith this year. 

* names changed 

Thanks for praying with us!

Anna’s caught the vision

CSC, the IFES movement in Moldova, has been praying for the city of Tiraspol for some time. There was no IFES ministry there at all until August last year, when they started exploring pioneering opportunities. Through contact with two supportive churches, CSC were able to meet a few Christian students interested in forming a group. 

One of those students is Anna. CSC Moldova encouraged Anna to attend CCX Ukraine’s annual student conference, Salt, in December. At Salt, Anna was able to meet with other student leaders passionate about sharing Jesus with their friends. She learned how to lead a Bible study. She felt challenged to invite her non-Christian friends back in Tiraspol to read the Bible with her – and they agreed! 

Since coming back from Salt, Anna has been sharing the vision with her Christian friends to think missionally on campus. They’ve been learning how to use the Uncover seeker Bible studies. A group of students from her church now gather together every Saturday evening in her apartment and invite their non-Christian friends to join them. They’ve also decided to start an evangelistic book group, an initiative already tried in other cities in Moldova. 

Join us in praying for these CSC students in Tiraspol. 

  • Pray that God would use the Uncover studies, Saturday evening socials and the new book group to bring non-Christian students to know Him. 
  • Pray that CSC would become established in Tiraspol this year; pray for financial resources, committed student leaders, wisdom in navigating religious restrictions and good relationships with local churches. 

 Thanks for praying with us!