Dean and Sybil Polk serve the people of Central Asia—though they can’t live in the region directly. Instead, they invest in local church planters by hosting training retreats in a nearby country, offering instruction, fellowship, and encouragement.
Their partners serve in high-pressure environments where scrutiny and hostility toward Christians are intense. Yet, by God’s grace, doors continue to open.
At one retreat, a partner shared about a new Bible study in their home. A couple began attending—she had never been in a church, and he, though not a believer, is open to the gospel. The Polks are hopeful this is a breakthrough moment.
In addition to their long-distance ministry, the Polks actively invest in their own local community, school, and church.
Through the Cooperative Program, Southern Baptists help IMB missionaries like the Polks train and support national believers in hard-to-reach areas.
Pray for gospel advancement in Central Asia and for open doors, increased missionary pipelines, and growing access for global partners.