U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates visited the Eurasian nation of Azerbaijan this week to secure its help in shipping materials to U.S. troops in Afghanistan.

He said the trip was spurred, in part, by "concerns in Azerbaijan that we weren't paying enough attention to them."

"It's important to touch base and let them know that in fact they do play an important role in this international coalition," said Gates, who was the highest ranking U.S. official to visit since President Obama took office in January 2009.

Sunday's visit was a sign of the growing significance of the tiny nation.

CBN News International Correspondent George Thomas recently sat down with Chris Jones, executive director of the North American Azerbaijani Network, to learn more about the country, its people, and its growing church.

Click play to watch the interview.