Chamalal in Russia

The Chamalal live in 28 villages in the mountains of Dagestan and Chechnya. They are both rural and urban, and marriage and family are important to them. They are Sunni Muslims and proudly so; however, their Islam is tainted with folk beliefs. They are closed to outsiders and there are no known Muslim background believers among them.

Ministry Obstacles

Terrain, isolation and religious and ethnic pride are mountainous obstacles between them and Jesus. So, too, is the lack of Scripture.

Outreach Ideas

Difficult access may be partially overcome by focusing on towns that are attracting rural Chamalals. There may be Christian believers in these towns. Christian linguists can preserve their language in writing and translate the Bible into it. They can also use audio recordings.

Scripture Focus

"For my life is spent with sorrow, and my years with sighing; my strength fails because of my iniquity, and my bones waste away."  Psalm 31:10

Scripture Prayer

Pray that this people group will understand that sin drains and destroys, but the Lord offers forgiveness and spiritual refreshment.

Prayer Focus

Pray that urban Dagestani believers will purposely connect with Chamalals. Pray that Dagestani congregations will adopt the Chamalals and purposely and prayerfully reach out to them. Pray for Christian linguists to work among them. Pray for openness to Dagestani believers seeking to reach them. Pray for those who follow Christ to return to rural areas with the gospel.