From Hovd Travel in Mongolia
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Places of Worship in Hovd
Hovd, though a small city by Western standards, has the distinction of being incredibly diverse and remarkably colorful even with respect to religious practices. Hovd is home to six Christian churches (all under Mongolian leadership), a mosque (run by Kazakhs), a Mormon gathering (under foreign leadership), and maybe even a cult (no one is exactly sure what goes on there, but isn’t that usually the case with cults?). In addition, many Mongolians consult the traditional shamanistic lams and meregens (like fortune-tellers) regularly—especially when facing a difficult situation. What follows is a very short summary of the main places of worship, where they are located, and when they meet.
Generous Love Church
This church is currently located in the center of town, but its location is subject to change because the church room is rented. Generous Love has an average Sunday attendance of 70 people.
Sunday Worship: 1pm
Friday Prayer and Testimony: 7pm
Generous Love also has a prayer time every morning at 7am, as well as various ger groups that meet on a weekly basis.
New Life Church
This church is located in Taliin Hasha, one of the ger districts of Hovd. New Life has the designation of being the first established church in Hovd and currently has an average attendance of about 40 people. During the school year, New Life also runs a kindergarten for underprivileged children—free of cost to the parents.
Sunday Worship: 12pm
In place of a weekly prayer meeting, New Life encourages its members to participate in ger groups that meet on a weekly basis.
Salvation Way Church
Salvation Way is also located near the center of town, right next to the police station. It also has an average attendance of 40 people on Sundays. On Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, Salvation Way rents a room at the market to provide meals and love to poor and drunk men and women who happen to stop by.
Sunday Worship: 10am
Wednesday Prayer/Testimony: 6pm
Friday Prayer: 7am
Salvation Way, like the other churches in town, encourages its members to be active in weekly ger groups.
Eternal Calling Church
Eternal Calling Church meets in one of the most unmistakable buildings in Hovd—the Democratic Party building. This bright blue, three-story building is located near the government building and town square. Eternal Calling was the second church to be established in Hovd; instead of a pastor, it has a leadership team which consists of men and women who share the responsibility of teaching.
Sunday Worship: 10am
Sunday Youth Group: 1pm
Eternal Calling also has various times of prayer throughout the week in addition to ger groups.
Joyful News Church
This is the newest church in Hovd, located in the heart of Hovd’s Kazakh community—Zuun Haalga. Most of Hovd’s churches have very few (if any) Kazakh members but this church seeks to be the exception. As a fledgling church, its weekly attendance is still fairly low.
Sunday Children’s Church: 10am
Sunday Worship: 12pm
Raising the Future Church
Raising the Future is a ger church that meets near Hovd River. It meets on Sundays and is an off-shoot of Salvation Way Church—its leader is a former leader Salvation Way.
Mormons
The Mormon-owned building is a nice two-story structure just a short walk from the government building. Since they own their building, the Mormons have activities, classes, and services almost every day of the week. They keep their gate open so visitors can stop by anytime.
Sunday Service: 10am
The Mosque
The Mosque is located on the edge of Zuun Haalga (previously mentioned Kazakh community) and is painted bright blue—you can’t miss it! It’s just a few yards down from the Manchu ruins of Sangiin Kherem that most tourists go visit. Unfortunately, it is closed because of extensive (and apparently irreparable and/or expensive) damage to the roof. They are planning on moving to a new location and will start to meet again in August 2008.
