Ulaanbaatar... It means, “Red Hero.” It is the capital city and the cultural center of Mongolia. Mongolian politics, business, art, education and religion find their center in this busy city fluctuating between 1.5 and 2 million people - half of the country’s entire population.
The needs of this city are immense. The need for jobs and education has caused significant urbanization, which is a major shift away from the old, nomadic lifestyle of most Mongolians. Now people are seeking education, jobs, English and Korean language training - along with the relative comforts that a city can provide. However, rampant alcoholism, homelessness, traffic, terrible pollution – especially in the winter - and a host of other problems have arisen because of this recent trend. All of these factors make UB a strategic center of ministry for Christian efforts in Mongolia. With literally half the total population residing in this one city, a strategy for Mongolia that does not include Ulaanbaatar is no strategy at all.
Currently the CAMA (Compassion & Mercy Associates) field office and a registered Mongolian church consisting primarily of university students are located in UB. It is their desire to strengthen and increase their UB ministry significantly.
One of the key strategies for doing this is the establishing of a multi-purpose ministry center in the heart of the city. They envision a place that will:
Be a student outreach center and a meeting place for our student fellowship, including a coffee shop and activities center. Well over half of the population of UB is under the age of 17, and young people come from every part of the country to study there. This is a critical and strategic center.
Provide a retail outlet for CAMA quilting/cross-stitch/crafts that are made in Darhan, as well as for Christian books and music.
Be a place to provide ESL classes, along with computer and job skills/business training. ESL is in great demand by the local young people.
Provide a meeting place for the UB church, and serve as a tool for evangelism and church planting throughout the city. Currently the UB church is small and often without electricity.
Space for a student dormitory which will provide housing for the students being sponsored.
I visited the UB church and Field offices recently and can tell you that God is moving in UB! Please pray that this land and city are claimed in the Name of Christ!
