“Those who seek the Lord will praise him—may your hearts live forever!”
The poor will eat and be satisfied; those who seek the LORD will praise him—may your hearts live forever!(Psalm 22:26,NIV)
》 Country Profile
Continent | Oceania
Population | 206,000
Area | 2,831㎢ — Samoa consists of two large volcanic islands and seven smaller islands in the South Pacific, forming part of the Samoan Islands)
Capital City｜Apia (36,000)
People Groups | Total 5 groups, Samoans 88.2%, Euronesians (mixed race) 10.2%, others 1.5%
Unreached People Groups | 0
Official Language(s) | Samoan, English
Total Languages | 3
Bible Translations | Complete 2
Religion | Christianity 96.2% (Protestant 60%, Catholic 20%), Non-religious 1.8%, others 2.0% Evangelical 18.6% 38,000
》 About Samoa
Samoa was one of the first places where Polynesians settled as they moved across the Pacific. It became known to Europeans in 1722 when a Dutch explorer arrived. In 1830, British missionaries John Williams and Charles Barff came to share the gospel and establishing churches throughout the islands. The United Kingdom, Germany, and the United States all sought control over Samoa, but in 1889, the three countries made an agreement to divide the islands. Western Samoa became German Samoa while Eastern Samoa came under American control. After Germany’s defeat in World War I, German Samoa was placed under New Zealand’s administration in 1914. In 1961, the United Nations approved Samoa’s independence, and the country officially became independent in 1962. It was the first island nation in the Pacific to gain independence. Samoa is a parliamentary democracy, where the head of state is elected by parliament for a five-year term and may be re-elected. Fiame Naomi Mata’afa has been serving as Prime Minister since 2021.
Samoa’s economy has mainly depended on foreign aid, remittances from overseas family members, tourism, agriculture, and fishing. Agriculture and fishing account for about 90 percent of exports. Key export products include fish, coconut oil, and taro. The government has worked to ease financial regulations, encourage investment, and maintain fiscal stability, and promote environmental protection. In 2009, Samoa was badly damaged by an earthquake and tsunami, and in 2012, a strong cyclone caused flooding and wind damage. In 2014, Samoa moved out of the category of the world’s poorest countries. Samoa’s GDP per capita is approximately $4,898.
》 Scripture Focus
| Psalm 22:22-28(NIV) 22 I will declare your name to my people; in the assembly I will praise you. 23 You who fear the LORD, praise him! All you descendants of Jacob, honor him! Revere him, all you descendants of Israel! 24 For he has not despised or scorned the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help. 25 From you comes the theme of my praise in the great assembly; before those who fear you I will fulfill my vows. 26 The poor will eat and be satisfied; those who seek the LORD will praise him—may your hearts live forever! 27 All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him, 28 for dominion belongs to the LORD and he rules over the nations. |
》 Prayer Point
1. Since missionaries began their work in Samoa in 1830, nearly every village has a church. However, traditional culture, worldviews, and hierarchical structures have largely remained unchanged. Nominalism is widespread in the church, and there is competition and conflict among denominations. The Mormon church has grown significantly and now has more followers than many other Christian groups.
Let us pray that those who have misled by Mormonism will come to recognize its error and return to living, Bible-centered churches that faithfully proclaim the gospel. May the people of Samoa recognize their spiritual poverty and cry out earnestly to the Lord. Let us pray that He, who does not despise the cries of the afflicted or hide His face from them, will bring genuine transformation to this nation.
2.Evangelical and charismatic movements, such as Pentecostal churches and Youth for Christ, are growing in Samoa but face resistance from traditional denominations. The Samoa Evangelical Alliance, formed in 1991, should be a means to break down division, competition, and conflict at the foot of the cross and lead churches into unity. Let us pray that Graceland Broadcasting Network will serve as a bridge connecting evangelical ministries. More than 200,000 Samoans now live abroad, and there are pastors specifically serving them. Missionaries from Youth With A Mission (YWAM) have also been commissioned from Samoa to other nations. Let us pray that Samoa will declare the Lord’s name to their brothers and praise Him in the assembly. May it become a mission-sending nation where all the ends of the earth remember and turn to the Lord, and all peoples and nations worship before Him in the fulfillment of the Great Commission.
American Samoa
》 Country Profile
Continent | Oceania
Population | 45,000
Area | 224㎢ , Part of the Samoan Islands in the South Pacific, consisting of 5 islands and 2 coral atolls.
Capital City｜Pago Pago (12,000)
People Groups | Total 9 groups, Samoans 86%, Euronesians(mixed heritage) 7%, Asians (Japanese, Filipinos, Koreans) 3.9%, Caucasians (Americans) 1.8%
Unreached People Groups | 1 (1.9% of the population)
Official Language(s) | Samoan, English
Total Languages | 8
Bible Translations | Completed 6, New Testament 1
Religion | Christianity 95.4% (Protestant 48%, pseudo-Christian 27%), Non-religious 1.7%, Buddhism 1.6%, others 1% Evangelical 24.8%(11,000)
》 About American Samoa
American Samoa has been home to Polynesians since around 600 BCE. It was first introduced to the outside world in 1722 by a Dutch trading vessel. In 1881, British missionary John Williams arrived, and Christianity quickly spread as locals embraced the gospel message. By the late 1800s, international disputes arose over control of Samoa. In 1899, a treaty divided the islands between Germany and the United States. The eastern part became American Samoa, officially incorporated into U.S. territory in 1900, and named in 1911. Since 1976, the people began electing their own governor. While the U.S. president is the official head of state, Lemanu Mauga has served as governor since 2021.
Economically, American Samoa is one of the poorest U.S. territories. Unemployment is high, and the area depends heavily on U.S. federal aid. The economy mostly revolves around tuna fishing and canning, with canned tuna making up most of its exports. There are efforts to grow other industries like tourism and technology, but challenges such as remote location, limited transportation, and frequent typhoons make development difficult. Despite these issues, the region is working to improve and expand its economic opportunities.
American Samoa’s GDP per capita is approximately $5,048.
》 Prayer Points
1. Churches in American Samoa have been losing their spiritual strength as many people are Christians in name only and have become preoccupied with material concerns. Meanwhile, the influence of Mormonism continues to grow, drawing in many nominal Protestants. But we can thank God that evangelical groups like the Assemblies of God (AoG) and Youth With A Mission (YWAM) are growing. Let us pray that people in traditional churches will realize their need to return to the true gospel, repent, and turn back to God. May American Samoa seek the Lord, praise Him, and find true and lasting life in Him.
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