Feb 08: Pacific, The Church in the Pacific, Trends to Watch - Pacific
Pacific
World
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Geography
Area: 8,515,800 sq km6.3% of the world’s land surface. There are 25,000 islands scattered over 88 million sq km of ocean; this is larger than the combined areas of Africa, Asia and Europe. It comprises one continent (Australia), two large land masses (New Zealand and Papua New Guinea [PNG]) and 26 smaller island states and territories. The smallest territories are grouped with related states in the country section: Christmas Is, Cocos Is, Norfolk Is with Australia; Johnston Is, Midway Is, Wake Is with Guam; Niue, Pitcairn Is and Tokelau with Cook Islands.
Population: 35,838,336 Annual Growth: 1.30%
Urbanites: 70%
Peoples
Languages: 1,250Religion
Largest Religion: Christian| Religion | Pop % | Ann Gr | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christians | 26,526,812 | 74.02 | 0.0 |
| Evangelicals | 6,382,078 | 17.8 | 1.7 |
Answer to Prayer
The strength of Christianity in the Pacific. The Pacific was one of the first areas to be evangelized in the modern Protestant missionary era. By the end of the 19th Century, most of the Pacific region had become Christian through the sacrificial labours of early LMS, Methodist, Anglican and Pacific Islander missionaries. Missionary casualties were high through disease, violent death and cannibalism, but great people movements brought whole peoples and islands to Christianity.For an additional Answer to Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.
More Information
The Operation World book, CD-ROM, and DVD-ROM provide far more information and fuel for prayer for the people of Pacific.The Church in the Pacific
Pacific
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Challenge for Prayer
The disparity in culture, class and incomebetween most churches in New Zealand and Australia and most immigrant peoples is a barrier to effective ministry. If churches want to be relevant and have an impact on these burgeoning populations and on the future of the Pacific region, they must step out of their comfort zones and learn to minister cross-culturally and in contexts of economic need. For social and economic justice to truly be rooted in Pacific society, the Church must be at the heart of the process.For an additional 6 Challenges for Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.
More Information
The Operation World book, CD-ROM, and DVD-ROM provide far more information and fuel for prayer for the people of The Church in the Pacific.Trends to Watch - Pacific
Pacific
See Prayer Information
Challenge for Prayer
Increasing investment, involvement and immigration from Pacific Rim nations will profoundly shape the Pacific’s future. China in particular but also Japan, Korea and Taiwan have significant stakes in the natural, material and human resources of the Pacific islands, stakes that will most likely grow in scale and influence.For an additional 3 Challenges for Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.
