The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a mountainous country at the crossroads of Central and South Asia. Afghanistan’s modern political history is painful, and the country has suffered from almost constant war. In 1919 the country was free of foreign influence, and became a monarchy. Almost 50 years later, the ruler was overthrown and a republic was established. In 1978, after a second coup, Afghanistan became a socialist state, evoking the Soviet–Afghan War in the 1980s against ‘mujahideen’ rebels.

By 1996, most of the country was captured by the Islamic fundamentalist Taliban, who ruled as a totalitarian regime for over five years. They were removed from power after the US invasion in 2001, and for 20 years there was greater freedom for gospel proclamation and establishing churches. In 2021, the Taliban regained control of the country.

Afghanistan is 99.8% Muslim. Evangelical Christianity is estimated at only 0.02% of the population. Christianity is extremely young in Afghanistan, and is comprised of mostly first-generation believers. These believers gather in house churches and are vulnerable to persecution by the Taliban. Most leaders of these house churches still have much to learn about even basic biblical doctrines.