The believers in Tatarstan, although small in number and way under resourced, are well organized, mature in their faith and passionate about evangelism.
However, they face many obstacles:
- They’ve been branded as cults by the Russian Orthodox Church (right in with Latter Day Saints and Hare Krishnas)
- The Russian government over time has created more and more legal restrictions on missionary activity both for expats and the evangelical churches – creating more persecution mostly in the form of inspections, harassment, fines, lawsuits and legal fees.
- Tatars who become Christians face strong family opposition and are treated as traitors even by Tatars who are mostly secular.
- And of course, there just aren’t enough Christians.
