“The Lord is my refuge and my portion in the land of the living!”
I cry to you, LORD; I say, “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.”(Psalm 142:5,NIV)
》 Country Profile
Continent | Oceania
Population | 105,000
Area | 747㎢, consisting of 171 coral and volcanic islands located 600㎞ from Fiji in the South Pacific.
Capital City | Nukuʻalofa (23,000)
People Groups | Total 5 groups: Tongan 96.5%, Multiracial 1.6%, Others 1.9%
Unreached People Groups | 0
Official Language(s) | Tongan
Total Languages | 4
Bible Translations | Completed 2
Religion | Christianity 95.9% (Protestant 43%, pseudo-Christian 24%), Other 3.6%, Non-religious 0.5%, Evangelical 15.7% (16,000 people)
》 About Tonga
Tonga was a powerful empire long before Europeans arrived, expanding its reach over Fiji, Samoa, and even Hawaii by the 13th century. European contact began in 1616, and Abel Tasman explored the islands in 1643. From the 1790s, Methodist and Catholic missionaries became active. In 1831, King Tupou I was baptized, and in 1875, with missionary support, he abolished serfdom and enacted the Constitution of Tonga, which banned foreign land ownership and established a constitutional monarchy. Tonga became a British protectorate in 1900 and, in 1970, gained full independence and joined the Commonwealth. King Tupou V, who held substantial power, announced in 2008 that he would relinquish most of it before the 2010 elections. His brother, King Tupou VI, ascended the throne in 2012, and Siaosi Sovaleni has served as Prime Minister since 2021.
Tonga’s economy relies heavily on tourism. Its agricultural and fishery exports are limited, making it dependent on remittances from Tongan emigrants in Australia, New Zealand, and the U.S., along with foreign development aid. Land is owned by the government, the monarchy, and a small number of nobles. When men turn 16, they can lease land for farming or housing from these owners. However, this concentration of land ownership has led to corruption and inefficiency. The government faces challenges including high youth unemployment, moderate inflation, pressure for democratic reform, and rising public-sector wage costs.
Tonga’s GDP per capita is approximately $4,863.
》 Scripture Focus
| Psalm 142:1-7(NIV) 1 I cry aloud to the LORD; I lift up my voice to the LORD for mercy. 2 I pour out before him my complaint; before him I tell my trouble. 3 When my spirit grows faint within me, it is you who watch over my way. In the path where I walk people have hidden a snare for me. 4 Look and see, there is no one at my right hand; no one is concerned for me. I have no refuge; no one cares for my life. 5 I cry to you, LORD; I say, “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.” 6 Listen to my cry, for I am in desperate need; rescue me from those who pursue me, for they are too strong for me. 7 Set me free from my prison, that I may praise your name. Then the righteous will gather about me because of your goodness to me. |
》 Prayer Points
1. Tonga has a remarkable history where the entire nation quickly embraced Christianity after the king’s conversion. This strong Christian heritage led not only to a large Protestant population but also to significant Catholic missionary efforts. National events like the “Jesus March” and the “Global Day of Prayer” have been held annually as public expressions of faith. However, divisions and rivalry among denominations are deep, and many church leaders are closely tied to politics, often driven by worldly interests. Let us pray that the Tongan Church truly returns to the gospel of the cross, repents, and restores a life of prayer. May the churches unite in humility as disciples of the Lord, walking in obedience through prayer and the sharing of the gospel.
2. In Tonga, the Mormon population makes up 24% — the highest proportion in the world. Not only cults, but other religions are also rapidly expanding. Let us pray that those who follow these paths will come to know the truth, be set free from deception, and return to the Lord. There are more Tongans living abroad than in Tonga itself, yet many lose their faith and live nominal Christian lives in their new countries. Tonga also has a high percentage of youth in its population, and ministries such as YWAM, Campus Crusade for Christ (CCCI), and Youth for Christ International are actively working among them. Let us pray that these young souls are brought out of spiritual darkness, saved, and become a people who give thanks to the Lord alongside the righteous who dwell in Christ.
The Pitcairn Islands
Continent | Oceania
Population | 50 people
Area | 47㎢, a volcanic island in the South Pacific
Capital City | Adamstown
People Group | 1 group: Polynesian 100%
Unreached People Groups | 0
Official Language(s) | English, Pitkern
Total Languages | 1
Bible Translations | Completed 1
Religion | Christianity 96% (Seventh-day Adventist 96%), Non-religious 3%, Evangelical 10% (approximately 5 people)
》About The Pitcairn Islands
The Pitcairn Islands were discovered by the British in 1767. In 1790, they became inhabited when mutineers from the British naval ship HMS Bounty fled to the islands and settled there. Today, only a small number of their descendants remain, and most of the community has continued through marriages among close relatives. In 1838, Pitcairn became the first British colony in the Pacific, and today it stands as one of the last remnants of the British Empire in the South Pacific. The population peaked at 233 in 1937 but has since declined to fewer than 50, with most residents having emigrated to New Zealand. Although the entire island once converted to Seventh-day Adventism, most residents no longer attend regularly participate in religious life. Pitcairn is a British overseas territory, with the King of the United Kingdom as head of state. Simon Young has served as chair of the island council since 2023.
The Pitcairn Islands’ economy relies on fishing, subsistence farming, handicrafts, and stamp sales. In the fertile valleys, a variety of fruits and vegetables such as citrus fruits, sugarcane, watermelon, bananas, yams, and beans are grown. Bartering plays an important role in everyday trade, and the main sources of income include selling stamps to collectors and handmade goods to passing ships. The Pitcairn Islands’ GDP per capita is approximately $6,818.
》 Prayer Points
1. Let us pray that the people of this isolated island won’t settle for comfort in their old traditions, but begin to thirst for the living God. Pray that He sends messengers to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. May the people see their sin, cry out to God with broken hearts, and receive the power of the cross that sets them free and leads them in true faith.
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