Church buildings confiscated by government in Central Asia

Two churches have been ordered to be confiscated in Kazakhstan for what authorities claim will be a new public kindergarten.

In Nur-Sultan, the capital of Kazakhastan, Grace Presbyterian Church and a place of worship being constructed for Agape Pentecostal Church have been ordered to be "confiscated" by authorities, Voice of the Martyrs Canada reports.

The property taken from Grace Church was purchased in 2001. It was a former college building.

The church has spent a significant amount of money and time renovating the property. The compensation they have been offered is reportedly far lower than market value.

Agape Church members will be losing out on the church building they've always dreamed of. All official city approvals had been received and construction had just recently begun on their new house of worship when they were told their land was being confiscated.

Grace Chruch has also faced troubles before. In 2014, the same order to confiscate their land and property was given, also to build a kindergarten.

An agreement was reached at the time.

In the same year, a former pastor of the church was convicted of harming the mental health of a church member. The same member denied all allegations, but the pastor still received a four-year suspended sentence.