Balkar in Russia

Introduction / History

The Balkars—a Turkic-speaking people whose ethno-genesis remains unclear—currently constitute approximately 10 percent of the total population of the Kabardino-Balkaria Republic in southern Russia.
A shepherd lives a hard life. In ancient times, we read of the shepherd boy David, who fought wild animals to protect his flock. For centuries, the historically-Muslim Balkar people have lived in the highlands of the Caucasus Mountains (southern Russia) in the province of Kabardino-Balkaria, shepherding their flocks and their livestock. Fathers pass this livelihood to their young sons. A shepherd experiences never-ending, strenuous work. Shepherds strive to expand their property to accommodate increased herds since a man's fortune is ranked by the number of cattle or sheep he owns.
The Balkar originally lived in homes made of mud and wood. Today they build their houses with brick or stone and make tile or slate roofs. The homes usually consist of two stories and most have porches.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The Balkar people traditionally dwell in the mountains but many have moved to the capital city, Nalchik, and further, to Moscow, due to the scarcity of usable land and to gain education and jobs.
The New Testament has been translated into the Balkar language. Additional evangelistic tools, such as the JESUS Film, the Magdelena Film, and Balkar Worship Music, are available to the Balkar people.

What Are Their Beliefs?

There is a small group of believers among the Sunni Muslim Balkar people. In 1957, Ibrahim became the first Balkar believer. He found Jesus while living in a foreign land under the deportation of Stalin. It would be another 32 years until another Balkar would come into the Shepherd's fold--in 1989--and a third became a follower of Jesus in 1991 as the Iron Curtain of the Soviet Union was torn down. The small group of followers of Christ struggle to develop Christian practices in a culture where every aspect of life, from birth, to marriage, to death, is governed by folk-Islamic and Balkar traditions. Pray that they would discern the freedom of Christ in their worship and in their communal relationships. Several adolescents have prayed to receive Christ at summer camp, but have no ongoing Christian influence in their lives, so pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to nurture them.

What Are Their Needs?

The Balkar need to establish a viable, disciple-making church free from the influences of folk Islam and Balkar traditions.

Prayer Points

Ask the Lord to send loving Russian Christians to minister life to their Muslim neighbors.
Pray that the Holy Spirit will soften the hearts of the Balkar people toward the gospel.
Ask God to call forth teams of intercessors who will rise up and faithfully stand in the gap for the Balkar.
Pray for the salvation of key Balkar leaders who will boldly proclaim the gospel.
Pray for the establishment of an indigenous and reproducing Balkar church.
Pray they would build their spiritual homes on the solid foundation that never fails.

Text Source:   Joshua Project