The Lord did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples (Deut. 7:7 - NIV). The Bible teaches that the Lord values a people group regardless of its size. We know from His Word that small groups like the Kereks of Eastern Siberia are as dear to His loving heart as those from large people groups like the Russians. They might have assimilated with the larger, but still small Chukchi people.
It is easy to understand why missionaries and others have overlooked the Kerek people. They are surrounded by many other better-known cultures. Like most of their neighboring peoples, the Kereks live by reindeer production, fishing, fur trapping, and mining. Summer temperatures barely make it above freezing in their eastern homeland along the Bering Sea, and winter temperatures fall well below zero. The Kereks are an industrious people, and they are also very artistic. They are skillful bone carvers. Songs and dances are an integral part of their culture.
The Kerek people have had traditional religions. They placated spirits, some of whom they feared, and others were "guardian spirits." They rely on shamans to perform sacrifices to these spirits and depended on a shaman for many of their spiritual needs.
As the Kerek people deal with their culture being engulfed by that of other nearby people groups, they need to have their identity firmly placed in the person of Jesus Christ.
Pray that the Kerek people will have a spiritual hunger that will open their hearts to the King of kings. Pray for workers who are driving by the love and boldness of the Holy Spirit to go to them. Pray for a Disciple Making Movement among them to begin this decade.
Scripture Prayers for the Kerek in Russia.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kereks https://www.encyclopedia.com/humanities/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/koryaks-and-kerek
| Profile Source: Joshua Project |
