Azerbaijanis

7 million in Azerbaijan / 25 million worldwide

The Azerbaijanis live mainly in Azerbaijan and Northwest Iran. They are friendly and hospitable, like all Turkic peoples. In ancient times Azerbaijanis were fire-worshippers. Later they became Christians for a time, before turning to Islam. They have long known the scars of war in their struggle with Armenia. More recently they have benefited from the abundance of minerals and oil in their country.

Kazakhs

7.1 million in Kazakhstan / 10.2 million worldwide

The Kazakhs are found in nine Asian countries, but most live in Kazakhstan and Northwest China. For hundreds of years they were semi-nomadic, pasturing their flocks and herds over the vast steppes of Central Asia. Communism later forced nearly all of the families onto collective farms or into cities. The Kazakh church is the fastest-growing in the region, resulting in a great need for Bible teaching and discipleship.

Kyrgyz

2.3 million in Kyrgyzstan / 2.8 million worldwide Like the Kazakhs, the Kyrgyz were traditionally pastoral nomads. Shepherds still take their livestock up into the mountains in the summer where they live in tents made of felt called yurts. The Kyrgyz have been Muslims only since the 19th century. Under the veneer of Islam one finds many superstitious practices including divination, the use of charms, and spiritual healers.

 Turkmen

3.8 million in Turkmenistan / 6.1 million worldwide

The Turkmen are native to Northern Afghanistan and Iran as well as their own republic. Turkmenistan has plentiful oil reserves, but they are still largely undeveloped. In recent years some Turkmen have come to the Lord, but persecution of the church has also increased greatly. Turkmenistan remains one of the most unreached areas of the former Soviet Union.

Uyghurs

8.2 million in China / 8.7 million worldwide

The Uyghurs have their homeland in the Xinjiang region of Northwest China. Thousands also live in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. The Uyghur language is similar to Uzbek. There are many Christians in Xinjiang, but nearly all of them are ethnic Chinese. Those Uyghurs who have put their faith in Jesus often have no fellowship and face persecution from both the government and their families.

Uzbeks

17.9 million in Uzbekistan / 23.1 million worldwide

The Uzbeks are the largest Turkic people group in Central Asia. Uzbekistan boasts of a long history of Islamic influence, and of cities which have been places of renown throughout the Muslim world. The church has had a slow start in Uzbekistan but is growing, as more and more Uzbeks find they are able to follow the way of Jesus while still remaining uniquely Uzbek in their worship and lifestyle.