The unreached peoples of Central Asia live in regions where social, cultural, and political obstacles make church growth incredibly difficult. In many of these communities, hearing the gospel at all is a rare opportunity.

And for those who do come to faith in Christ, the lack of discipleship resources in their own languages makes spiritual growth an ongoing challenge.

Sharing the gospel in countries like Turkmenistan can be daunting and dangerous. Yet despite these challenges, TWR (also known as Trans World Radio), continues to serve the Turkmen people with joy and perseverance, grounded in the strength of the Lord.

“In the moments when things felt overwhelming, we remembered that we were not alone,” TWR’s ministry contacts in the region shared. “Your prayers were with us, lifting us up and believing in what God is doing here. Lives are being touched, hearts are opening, and God is using even the smallest seed sown through media to bring light.”

The broadcasts not only bring light and hope to the listeners, they also encourage and strengthen the Central Asia-based team itself. This ministry has grown beyond a simple media project; it has become part of the team’s personal spiritual growth. Each video and every conversation in the comments section is an opportunity not only to share the truth, but to grow deeper in understanding God’s Word.

Their prayers have intensified for those whom they are striving to reach, their knowledge of Scripture has deepened, and their desire to reach others is now driven not by debate, but by genuine love. What began as outreach has become a shared journey of transformation, both for those hearing the gospel and those proclaiming it.

Spreading hope: How using social media is becoming a platform for sharing the good news

TWR’s ministry friends that work to reach Turkmen speakers have embraced social media as a powerful tool for ministry, particularly through platforms like TikTok and Instagram. In Turkmenistan, social networks are widely used, especially TikTok. In particular, people use VPN to connect to social media platforms. The channel of TWR’s ministry friends has reached 1.5 million views in just one month. The team was surprised by this result and at the same time deeply encouraged by how the Lord is working through this ministry. Praise God for every soul he touches through these videos. We believe that this is only the beginning and that the Lord has much more in store for Turkmenistan and for all who speak the Turkmen language.

So far this year, the regional team has produced and published around 90 short video clips on their TikTok account. These 1-6-minute videos feature engaging visuals, subtitles, and inspiring background music. The content explores a wide range of Christian themes, including the lives of the prophets, biblical counseling, the teachings of Jesus, God’s plan of salvation, and motivational messages tailored for those seeking spiritual direction.

The purpose is to inspire, support, and strengthen the faith of the audience, especially young people and those on a personal journey of spiritual discovery.

The comment sections of these videos have become a space for meaningful theological dialogue. Users regularly ask thoughtful questions about the authority of Scripture, the identity of Jesus Christ (Isa al-Masih), and common claims about the supposed “distortion” of the Torah and Injil. Other frequent questions include, “How do Christians treat Muslims?”, “How do Christians worship God?” and “Who is Jesus?”

These questions are always met with respectful, thoughtful, and biblically grounded responses. Local ministry friends respond with love and care, using both the Bible and the Koran to explain Christian beliefs and foster understanding. By referencing text from both traditions, the message emphasizes that Jesus is more than a prophet, with a focus on love, forgiveness, and the pursuit of truth.

As a result, the TikTok account has seen increased engagement, with more Muslim viewers subscribing and expressing open interest in the Word of God. Many comments express gratitude for the respectful and compassionate tone of the replies.

This growing digital presence shows that TikTok is not only a platform for creative content but also a powerful ministry tool. Through these short videos and ongoing dialogue, the light of Christ is reaching hearts with love and wisdom.

Social media series sparks strong engagement and faith response

A recent video series exploring the biblical stories of Joseph and Moses has generated significant engagement. Subscribers enjoyed the format and eagerly awaited the continuation of the next episode.

While production constraints limited the speed of new releases, audiences remained understanding and expressed a strong desire to see full episodes published on YouTube for uninterrupted viewing.

The overwhelming response highlights a growing interest in Scripture and reveals the potential of short-form video content as a tool for spiritual teaching. Viewers not only watched but actively shared their appreciation. One commenter wrote, “Thank you. Please publish more videos of this kind. We are happy to see the miracles of Allah.” Another shared, “May Jesus Christ the Lord pour out his Holy Spirit upon you.”

The team said the feedback, especially from individuals they had never met, deeply encouraged them and strengthened their faith. “There’s a sense of responsibility now,” they shared. “These simple videos can bring God’s truth into someone’s life.”

They plan to continue expanding to platforms like YouTube, offering longer, full-length episodes to meet the demand and reach even more hearts with the gospel message.

To learn more about sharing the hope of Jesus to people groups such as to the Turkmen people, visit https://twr.org/project/silk-road-programs and see how this project will allow TWR to keep producing our wide variety of programs for the first-generation Christians of Central Asia.

Becky Matthews, writer and editor for TWR Europe and CAMENA.