02 - Azeri, in the Caucasus

Get to know the Azeri people in 4 parts - learn, see, act, pray!

1 - Learn

Azerbaijan is a country near the Caucasus Mountains, next to the Caspian Sea. Over history, many groups like the Persians, Turks, and later the Soviet Union controlled it. In 1991, Azerbaijan became an independent country.

Azeris (Turkic-speaking Azerbaijanis) make up approximately 90% of the country’s population. Most people in Azerbaijan, called Azeris, speak a Turkic language. They are mainly a mix of Turkic people and the older groups like Iranians who lived there before.

Since 1988, Azerbaijan has been involved in a conflict with Armenia over a region called Nagorno-Karabakh. This is a fight over land and the people who live there.

Azerbaijan’s economy is strong in industries like oil and gas, but it also makes things like machines, food, and other goods.

Azerbaijanis have a rich cultural life and history. A number of outstanding poets, philosophers and scientists have originated there. Music, art, theatre and opera remain widely important to the population. However, publishing and broadcasting are to this day tightly controlled by the government.

Most people in Azerbaijan are Muslim, either Shi’i or Sunni, while about 3% are Christian Orthodox.

2 - See

3 - Act

Levengi (national dish of Azerbaijan) 

Recipe

Go To Activity

4 - Pray

• Pray for Azeris Village in Georgia: Two women lead Children/Teenagers in two Azeri villages in Georgia. Pray for more passionate and called individuals to join them.  Pray for the children & few teenagers, and their families will grow deeper in faith, enjoy the intimacy with God and become the disciple makers.
• Pray for Children & Teenagers in Azerbaijan: Eight teenagers travel regularly to serve in Azerbaijan's children ministry. Pray for their safety, spiritual growth, and ability to mentor village children and bring their families to faith.  Pray for the children also will grow deeper in faith, enjoy the intimacy with God and become the disciple makers. 
• Pray for More Workers: Pray that God will call forth more people to join the People of Peace ministry and young adults/university students in sharing the gospel in remote villages on mountains and the 4 corners of Caucasus.
• Pray for Unity and Love: Pray for unity and love among all ministries, including above and the REACH/Training, Social Media, Discipleship Multiplication, and Living Hope (Microenterprise). Pray for effective collaboration & synergy to transform families in Azerbaijan and Azeri villages in Georgia.
• Pray for more Mentors: Pray for more mentors, trainers, and helpers willing to live among the people and support them. Pray for holistic health development for individuals, groups, families, and leaders, and for this model to bear fruit and multiply.

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