Pleasing God, Making Disciples of Jesus Christ

Tajikistanian Pastor Sentenced to Three Years in Prison

Pastor Bakhrom Kholmatov, who has been detained by the Tajikistan secret police since April 2017, was sentenced recently to three years in prison. The 42-year-old pastor was arrested on April 10 after police raided the Full Gospel Protestant Church, harassing and beating church members. Christians in Tajikistan told Forum 18 that the pastor was jailed for singing extremist songs in church and inciting “religious hatred”.

After authorities began targeting the church and its affiliates earlier this year, many church members left the church or stopped attending out of fear. The pastor is married and has three children. Please pray that the pastor, his family, and his extended church family will remain faithful during this difficult time.

Tajikistan: three-year sentence for pastor for ‘singing extremist songs’ – World Watch Monitor

Tajikistan Missions Overview – Open Doors USA