26 February 2025

Eurasia Region

Georgia

Geographically, Georgia is located in Southwest Asia, bordering the Black Sea, between Turkey and Russia, and extends north of the Caucasus into Europe. Its long and rich history traces back to the Roman Empire in the first centuries A.D. Christianity became its official religion in the early 4th century. Following Persian, Arab, and Turk domination, there was a “Georgian golden age” that lasted from the 11th-13th centuries. When Mongols invaded in 1236, it opened the region to the Ottoman and Persian empires to compete for predominant influence. Georgia was absorbed into the Russian Empire in the 19th century; experienced brief independence from 1918-1921 following the Russian revolution; but finally regained its independence when the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991. Georgia is known as a “nation of the Caucusus,” geographically between Europe and Asia, and the vast majority of the population of Georgia see themselves as European, not Asian or Russian. Georgia is a predominantly Eastern Orthodox Christian nation and has received more than 25,000 Ukrainian refugees since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. While the Church of the Nazarene is registered, it is in its infancy in Georgia.

There are currently no statistics available for Georgia.

How a Small Nazarene Community is Making a Big Impact

Something remarkable is unfolding in Georgia, and it’s changing lives. The Church of the Nazarene is taking root in a place where there was no previous presence, and a growing community is experiencing spiritual transformation. Thanks to the Georgia House Churches Project, a movement is emerging, and the impact is profound.

When the Open Door Center in Georgia first began its Friday night discovery and prayer group, only two Nazarene families attended. But as the weeks passed, more families joined, and each Friday night, a flourishing community gathered for worship, prayer, and fellowship. What started as a small, intimate gathering has blossomed into a place of spiritual renewal, and the gatherings now take place on Sundays each week.

This summer, a dream came true for local children thanks to the generosity of Nazarene supporters. The "River Adventure" Vacation Bible School (VBS) camp, led by a team from Germany, hosted around 30 children for a week of fun, faith, and unforgettable experiences. The highlight of the week? A thrilling whitewater rafting trip through the stunning Caucasus Mountains. Beyond the fun, the camp planted seeds of faith in the hearts of these children.

One powerful story from this movement comes from a woman in the community who heard about how the Nazarene church gathers for worship—sharing meals, singing, teaching kids the Bible, and discussing God’s work in the world. She remarked, “That’s the kind of church I want to go to.” It’s a testament to how people who had never known the love of Christ are experiencing the joy that comes with sharing that love with others.

This isn’t just about building a church—it’s about creating a community where people are encountering the love of Christ for the first time. Lives are being transformed, families are finding faith, and together, we’re making Christlike disciples in Georgia.

The work is just beginning, and the story continues to unfold. Will you be a part of this movement? Join us in building a stronger community of faith in Georgia. To learn more about this project, click here. 

Could You Serve?

Is God calling you to join him in the work of the Eurasia Region? For more information, click here.

NMI Central is available in a curated PDF archive.
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