Avar, Dagestani in Russia

The Avar are one of the largest native people groups living in Dagestan, located within the Caucasus Mountain region. They are very devoted to traditional family values. The basic unit of Avar society is the village community. A village assembly and a council of elders govern the community. Sunni Islam has been the prevailing religion of the Avar since the 13th century. Between the 5th and 12th centuries, Georgian Orthodox Christianity was introduced to the Avar. However, the influence of Islam was more lasting, and today the Avar are almost completely Muslim. They hold fast to their religion, and tradition seems to keep them from being receptive to the Gospel.

Ministry Obstacles
The Caucasus region is difficult to enter for geographical reasons, and the peoples of the region are quite insular.

Outreach Ideas
The New Testament is available in the Avar language, as well as other communication tools such as the Jesus film and Gospel recordings. Workers are needed to take these into the difficult Caucasus region.

Pray for the followers of Christ
There may be a few Christian believers among the Avar. Pray they will be accurately taught the ways of Christ, resting fully in the finished work of Christ on the cross, and trusting His Spirit for an abundant life.

Pray for the entire people group
Pray for peace in the Caucasus region and especially between Muslims and Christians. Pray that Christianity will be seen as a relationship with Christ rather than as political or cultural in nature.

Scripture Focus
"All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations will worship before You." Psalm 22:27

Presented by Joshua Project
www.joshuaproject.net