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Above: United Methodist Bishop Eduard Khegay walks amid swirling snow at the Ala-Archa National Park in the Tian Shan mountains of Kyrgyzstan. Khegay leads the denomination’s Eurasia Area, which spans 11 time zones.

In Kyrgyzstan, a country that is about 90% Muslim, United Methodist churches are rare and often viewed with suspicion. Engaging people is difficult due to government regulations, so outdoor and other social activities help build relationships, especially among young people.
The Eurasia Episcopal Area, led by Bishop Eduard Khegay, stretches across 11 time zones of Eastern Europe and the whole of Russia. In addition to Kyrgyzstan, the area includes Kazakhstan, Belarus and other former Soviet republics.
Khegay, stationed in Moscow, is guiding the church in Kyrgyzstan through difficult times for the denomination and amid deteriorating U.S. – Russian relations.
Bishop Eduard Khegay gives the sermon during worship at Livespring United Methodist Church in Kara-Balta, Kyrgyzstan.
The Rev. Nellya Shakirova (front) joins the congregation in singing during worship at Bishkek United Methodist Church.
Church members share a laugh in the kitchen at Bishkek United Methodist Church. From left are Valery Kumpyak, Daniel Kumpyak and Oksana Svetlakova.
Bishop Eduard Khegay (right) says grace before sharing a meal with members and guests at Bishkek United Methodist Church in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Standing at rear are the Rev. Nellya Shakirova, the church’s pastor, and her husband, German Beseedin.
Children peer over a pew during worship at Bishkek United Methodist Church in Bishkek.
Children gather at the front of the sanctuary for their time during worship at Bishkek United Methodist Church.
Bishop Eduard Khegay (left) and the Rev. Nellya Shakirova (wearing black dress) offer Holy Communion at Bishkek United Methodist Church in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
Oksana Svetlakova (front) joins in singing during worship at Bishkek United Methodist Church.
The minarets of a mosque are visible a few blocks down a muddy alley from Bishkek United Methodist Church.
The sun sets behind Baytik cemetery near Zarechnoe, Kyrgyzstan. The vast majority of the country’s population is Muslim.
Snow covers the beach at Issyk Kul Lake in Chong-Sary-Oy, Kyrgyzstan. The lake was a stop along the Silk Road and served as a test site for the former Soviet Navy. United Methodist communicators from the Eurasia area met there for a series of training workshops.
Young people and adult volunteers exercise in the Mosaic Center gymnasium in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. The Mosaic Center is supported by people from different denominations, including United Methodists.
Water vapor fogs a mirror at the Mosaic Center gymnasium ministry for youth in Bishkek.
United Methodist Deacon Anton Sharopin speaks with young people during their regular devotional time at the multi-faith Mosaic Center gymnasium ministry he helps oversee in Bishkek.
Young people listen to a devotional message after working out at the Mosaic Center gymnasium in Bishkek.
Young people listen to a devotional message after working out at the Mosaic Center.
Clouds of warm, humid air escape into the sub-freezing temperatures outside the Mosaic Center gymnasium.
The sign on the door to the United Methodist Mosaic Center gymnasium in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, printed in Russian, reads “Believe in the dream – day and night.”
Swans glide along Issyk Kul Lake in Chong-Sary-Oy, Kyrgyzstan.
The Rev. Nellya Shakirova (left) samples the dinner being cooked outdoors by students from Pakistan who attend Bishkek United Methodist Church in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
Students from Pakistan sing during worship at Bishkek United Methodist Church in Bishkek. From left are Thomson Gill, Yashib Nayab and Prince Javaid.
Students from Pakistan pour tea for a fellowship meal in the sanctuary at Bishkek United Methodist Church in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. From left are Muslam Hanif, Thomson Gill, Prince Javaid and Sanwal Shabir.
The Rev. Nellya Shakirova invites members and guests to a fellowship meal at Bishkek United Methodist Church in Bishkek.
Snowcapped mountains rise behind a Muslim cemetery outside Kara-Balta, Kyrgyzstan.
Members of the women’s group at Kainda United Methodist Church in Kainda, Kyrgyzstan, pray during a meeting led by Elena Lysina (center, in gray sweatshirt), who helps lead the church.
Members of the Kainda United Methodist Church’s women’s group sing during a meeting at the church in Kainda.
Olga Didichenko (left) and Marina Vinokurova smile during a meeting of the women’s group at Kainda United Methodist Church in Kainda.
Marina Tkacheva, holding her son, Stepan, shares a laugh with Elena Lysina, who leads the women’s group at Kainda United Methodist Church in Kainda.
Members of the women’s group at Kainda United Methodist Church in Kainda, Kyrgyzstan, serve lunch for members and guests.
Bishop Eduard Khegay compares cell phone photos with (from left) Evelina, Polina and Nadya at Kainda United Methodist Church in Kainda.
Marina Vinokurova prepares to ride her bicycle home from a meeting of the women’s group at Kainda United Methodist Church in Kainda.
The Ala-Archa River flows past snow-covered mountains in the Kyrgyz national park named for the river.
Snow covers the Tian Shan mountains in Kyrgyzstan’s Ala-Archa National Park.
Snow covers the Tian Shan mountains in Kyrgyzstan’s Ala-Archa National Park.
A great tit (Parus major) rests in a snowy fir tree at the Ala-Archa National Park in the Tian Shan mountains of Kyrgyzstan.
A rufous-naped tit (Periparus rufonuchalis) rests in a snowy fir tree at the Ala-Archa National Park in the Tian Shan mountains of Kyrgyzstan.
A woman enters the Orthdox church in Sokuluk village, outside Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. In a country where almost 90% of the population is Muslim, Russian Orthodox make up about 3% of the population, according to the CIA World Factbook.
The Tian Shan mountains rise behind Issyk Kul Lake in Chong-Sary-Oy, Kyrgyzstan.
Parishioners greet one another before Sunday worship outside Livespring United Methodist Church in Kara-Balta, Kyrgyzstan.
Bakut Kaniev sweeps snow from the entryway at Livespring United Methodist Church in Kara-Balta.
Gylmira Hudaiberdieva prepares a pilaf over an open fire for the fellowship meal at Livespring United Methodist Church. Bakut Kaniev is helping tend the fire. The Rev. Artyom Golov, the church’s pastor is at left.
The Rev. Artyom Golov is pastor of Livespring United Methodist Church in Kara-Balta.
The praise band plays during worship at Livespring United Methodist Church.
Young people pray during worship at Livespring United Methodist Church. The church’s pastor says at least half of the members are young people.
Men pray during worship at Livespring United Methodist Church in Kara-Balta.
Eugenia Tachieva (left) and Irina Tachieva raise their hands in praise during worship at Livespring United Methodist Church.
Young people from Livespring United Methodist Church and guests make their way into the Tian Shan mountains near Kara-Balta, Kyrgyzstan, for a day of sliding in the snow.
Alex Kutsov helps gather young people for an afternoon of sliding in the snowy Tian Shan mountains, an activity sponsored by Livespring United Methodist Church in Kara-Balta.
Young people from Livespring United Methodist Church in Kara-Balta and neighborhood guests enjoy an afternoon of sliding down a snowy hillside.
Young people from Livespring United Methodist Church and guests make their way into the Tian Shan mountains near Kara-Balta. They are carrying empty pet food bags to use as makeshift sleds.
Church leaders build a fire for cooking during an outdoor youth adventure in the Tian Shan mountains, sponsored by Livespring United Methodist Church in Kara-Balta.
Chicken roasted over an open fire awaits youth from Livespring United Methodist Church in Kara-Balta, Kyrgyzstan, and neighborhood guests after an afternoon of playing in the snow.
Horses run in the snow in the Tian Shan mountains near Kara-Balta.
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