By Amy Penn

03/15/2018 Washington, D.C. (International Christian Concern) – He spends his time checking over two shoulders, one for each of his pursuers. Over one shoulder, Pastor Ravil surveils for Kazakhstan’s KNB agents, formerly known as KGB during the Soviet era.  Over the other, extremist salafi Muslims, members of one of Islam’s most conservative branches. He started running in April 2017 and it doesn’t appear that he will be able to stop anytime soon.

Pastor Ravil was an underground pastor based in Kazakhstan, dedicated to building underground church groups throughout Central Asia. He focused on evangelizing to Muslims and strengthening their faith once they converted. “They [the groups] were popping up everywhere!” recalled Sam, a Central Asian missionary familiar with Ravil’s work. Pastor Ravil developed “underground groups with imams and salafis in them,” catching the unwanted attention of government and extremist groups alike.

The Kazakh government, still hungover from Soviet rule, monitors religious institutions through mandatory registration. Ravil never sought government registration for his groups, fearing government interference and security concerns. Without registration, however, his groups were illegal. The Kazakh government charged Pastor Ravil with “incitement of social, national, clan, racial, or religious hatred or discord.”

Extremist salafi groups began hunting Pastor Ravil as more and more salafis joined Ravil’s groups. Despite the risks, Pastor Ravil stayed in his home until he received word that the “KNB (former KGB) was planning to come to my house.” That was in early 2017. He’s been on the run ever since.

Pastor Ravil had to make a decision about his wife and several children. Could they stay at home or would Pastor Ravil’s hunters hurt them? Ravil told International Christian Concern (ICC), “Salafi radicalization is becoming stronger and stronger in Kazakhstan…and [salafis] were talking about harming my children,” but despite that, his “immediate caution was with the government.”

According to Sam, the government could legally divorce Ravil from his wife and take his children away from him. So they moved to another country, but Ravil couldn’t stay with his family. Ravil has now “crossed the borders of different countries already more than 16 times” as he keeps looking over his shoulder for his accusers. Temporary refugee status provides safe haven for a short time before Ravil has to leave. He is able to visit his family, but rarely and for only 90 days at a time. Ninety days is the longest he can visit his family on a refugee visa.

So far, his family has been safe. “My wife already made two trips to the same location and [no one stopped her],” reported a relieved Ravil. He’s still running, however, with no end in sight. Ravil knows God is faithful, but continued relocation is frustrating. What will he do next? “For me personally? Waiting. So far I do not see the light at the end of the tunnel,” mourned Ravil.

For interviews, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: press@persecution.org