Clusters of Afghan populations began to emerge in the United States shortly after the 1979 invasion of Afghanistan by the Soviet Union, and new waves of Afghan refugees have continued to settle outside their homeland in the conflicts that have followed. Thousands of Afghans make up diaspora communities in Germany, Australia, Greece, and other countries. Afghanistan is one of the hardest places in the world for sharing the gospel of Christ. However, there are pockets of Afghans scattered throughout the world and in North America.
Sacramento is home to as many as 20,000 Afghans. According to one study, more Afghans are located in the 95821 and 95825 ZIP codes than in any other ZIP codes in the United States. Between 2014 and 2018, more than 8000 Afghans relocated to the Sacramento area, making it one of the largest Afghan communities in North America. Afghans in Sacramento tend to be young and many live in relative poverty.
Afghanistan is made up of over 70 people groups with most Afghans identifying as Pashtun, Tajik, or Hazara. While the Central Asian nation is one of the more challenging places to serve as a disciple-maker, Sacramento may be a mission field for followers of Christ with a heart for Afghan people.
Leave a Reply