AFWIS Joins Operation World in Prayer for the Republic of the Fiji Islands - Pacific

Published on Operation World (http://www.operationworld.org)

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May 22: Fiji

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Fiji

Republic of the Fiji Islands

Pacific

See Prayer Information

Geography

Area: 18,274 sq km
Two larger and 110 smaller inhabited islands, both volcanic and coralline.
Population: 854,098    Annual Growth: 0.62%
Capital: Suva
Urbanites: 53.4%
HDI Rank: 108 of 182 (UN Human Development Reports 2009)

Peoples

Peoples: 35 (11% unreached) All peoples
Unreached Peoples Prayer Card

Official language: English; Hindustani and Bau Fijian commonly used    Languages: 21 All languages

Religion

Largest Religion: Christian

Religion		Pop %	Ann Gr
Christians	555,591	65.05	1.2
Evangelicals	215,408	25.2	2.1

Challenges for Prayer

The Methodist Church has been the de facto state church in Fiji for 150 years as well as the faith of the majority of ethnic Fijians. It has also been tightly aligned with the nation’s political structures – to the detriment of the gospel. Methodism’s past failure to adequately condemn the endemic racism and racially motivated coups has prompted splits within the Church. A lack of spiritual vitality has spurred a large-scale exodus to newer denominations. But there has also been change in recent years as issues of renewal and reconciliation have come to the fore. Pray for new life and right priorities for this highly influential denomination.
New churches with spiritual dynamism and evangelistic vision have surged in growth in the last decade; Pentecostal groups are the most notable among these. Also within the Methodist, Anglican and Catholic churches are strong evangelical/charismatic movements. There are many claims of great revival in Fiji, and there is undeniable fruit of God at work in remarkable ways, as individuals, communities and even the environment see transformation. Some specific areas that warrant prayer:
a) Unity. The Association of Christian Churches of Fiji was formed after the 2000 coup to establish unity and reconciliation. It is composed of mostly evangelical Protestant churches and has a great impact. The more ecumenical Fiji Council of Churches also works toward the same goal. The Evangelical Fellowship of Fiji exists to unite evangelicals.
b) Leadership training for the many churches. There is a wealth of options as the Methodists, AoG, Baptists, Nazarenes, Catholics and others offer training programmes and degrees. In addition, the interdenominational Pacific Theological College offers degrees up to doctoral level. World Harvest Institute (Christian Mission Fellowship), South Pacific Missionary Training Centre and Fiji College of Theology and Evangelism focus on training for mission and evangelism.
c) Mission vision. Fiji was once a hotbed of mission-sending throughout the Pacific. This legacy is being revived as YWAM, WEC and CMF have been prominent in channeling Fijians to mission fields around the world. The Deep Sea Canoe Mission seeks to foster a missions vision. Pray for existing missions and for a greater future of Fijian missionary investment.
     For an additional 4 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 Fiji.