Khvarshin in Russia

Khvarshin
Photo Source:  Anonymous 
Map Source:  Location: IMB. Imagery: GMI, ESRI, Maxar, Earthstar Geographics, ESRI User Community. Design: Joshua Project.
People Name: Khvarshin
Country: Russia
10/40 Window: No
Population: 5,000
World Population: 5,000
Primary Language: Khvarshi
Primary Religion: Islam
Christian Adherents: 0.02 %
Evangelicals: 0.02 %
Scripture: Translation Needed
Ministry Resources: No
Jesus Film: No
Audio Recordings: No
People Cluster: Caucasus
Affinity Bloc: Eurasian Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

The Khvarshin people of Dagestan speak their own distinct Khvarshi language and are located in eight mountain villages and in several lowland settlements in northern Dagestan.
From 1944-1957, the Soviets forced the Khvarshin out of their mountain homeland region and resettled them into lowland Chechnya. Only in the late 1950s, did the Soviets allow them to return to Dagestan. In years following, some returned to their abandoned mountain villages, and some settled in the northern lowlands of Dagestan.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Today Khvarshin mountain villages are rebuilt with repaired houses standing alongside still-visible ancient ruins. Life is hard for the Khvarshin. They need spiritual hope!

What Are Their Beliefs?

For centuries they have followed Sunni Islam mixed with folk practices.

What Are Their Needs?

Pray for the Christ-followers in Dagestan building bridges of relationship (Acts 16:6-40). Good news,one relationship has begun!

Prayer Points

Pray that bridges of friendship will be built so that the Khvarshin can begin to grasp that “times of refreshing can come from the presence of the Lord” (Acts 3).
Pray for a team to move into Dagestan and meet and disciple Khvarshin people.
Pray for grace, encouragement, protection and Holy Spirit anointing for the few known Khvarshin Christ-followers.
Pray for the Lord to protect the Khvarshin people. They live in a strife-filled land.
May Satan’s efforts to kill and destroy turn many to seek and find the only savior.

Text Source:   Joshua Project