The life of a shepherd has never been easy. In ancient times, we read of the shepherd boy David, who fought against wild animals to save 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. Though most remain in this part of Russia, there are others who reside in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and even the United States. They are in various Central Asian countries because their ancestors were deported there during the days of the Soviet Union during WWII.
Their shepherding livelihood is passed from father to son, beginning at a very young age. It's never-ending, strenuous work. Expanding their property to accommodate increased herds is something shepherds strive for, 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, their houses are built with brick or stone and have tile or slate roofs. The homes usually have two stories and most have porches.
There is a small group of believers among the 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 Christians struggles 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.
Balkar people who live in remote areas lack adequate medical care.
Ask the Lord to send loving Christians to minister life to the Balkar people.
Pray that the Holy Spirit will soften the hearts of the Balkar people towards 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 disciple others.
Scripture Prayers for the Balkar in Kazakhstan.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balkars
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deportation_of_the_Balkars
Profile Source: Joshua Project |
Other PDF Profile |
People Name General | Balkar |
People Name in Country | Balkar |
Pronunciation |
ball-KAR
|
Alternate Names | Alan; Karachai; Karachay |
Population this Country | 2,400 |
Population all Countries | 130,000 |
Total Countries | 5 |
Indigenous | No |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | Yes |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 1 |
People ID | 10608 |
ROP3 Code | 100852 |
ROP25 Code | 300771 |
ROP25 Name | Balkar |
Country | Kazakhstan | ||
Region | Asia, Central | ||
Continent | Asia | ||
10/40 Window | Yes | ||
Persecution Rank | 47 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) |
Country | Kazakhstan |
Region | Asia, Central |
Continent | Asia |
10/40 Window | Yes |
Persecution Rank | 47 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) |
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Primary Religion: | Islam |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical 0.00 %) |
0.00 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
0.00 %
|
Hinduism |
0.00 %
|
Islam |
100.00 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.00 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
Primary Language | Karachay-Balkar (2,400 speakers) |
Language Code | krc Ethnologue Listing |
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
Primary Language | Karachay-Balkar (2,400 speakers) |
Language Code | krc Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
People Groups | Speaking Karachay-Balkar |
Primary Language: Karachay-Balkar
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1978-1995) |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (1994-2020) |
Bible-Complete | No |
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) | Online |
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) | Online |
Possible Print Bibles | |
---|---|
Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |
Resource Type ▲ | Resource Name | Source |
---|---|---|
Audio Recordings | Audio Bible teaching | Global Recordings Network |
Film / Video | Indigitube.tv Video / Animation | Create International |
Film / Video | Indigitube.tv Video / Animation | Create International |
Film / Video | Jesus Film: view in Karachay-Balkar | Jesus Film Project |
Film / Video | World Christian Videos | World Christian Videos |
General | Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video | Faith Comes by Hearing |
General | Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video | Faith Comes by Hearing |
General | Scripture Earth Gospel resources links | Scripture Earth |
General | YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio | YouVersion Bibles |
Mobile App | Android Bible app: Karachay-Balkar | YouVersion Bibles |
Mobile App | iOS Bible app: Karachay-Balkar | YouVersion Bibles |
Text / Printed Matter | IBT, Russia - resources | Institute for Bible Translation - Russia |
Photo Source | Anonymous |
Profile Source | Joshua Project |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |