St. Barthelemy / St. Martin
May 7th

“Listen to me, you islands; hear this, you distant nations!”
“Listen to me, you islands; hear this, you distant nations: Before I was born the LORD called me; from my mother’s womb he has spoken my name.”(Isaiah 49:1,NIV)

St. Barthelemy

》 Country Profile

Continent | America
Population | 7,100
Area | 25㎢ Located on the Leeward Islands of the Caribbean.
Capital City | Gustavia (3,000)
People Groups | Total 2 groups, Caucasians of French and Swedish descent, Mixed-race of Mulatto, African
People Groups Unreached | 0
Offical Language(s) | French, English
Total Languages | 2
Bible Translations | Completed 2
Religion | Christian 61% (Protestant 3%, Catholic 53%), Non-religion 35%, other 4% Evangelical 3% Approximately 230 people

》 About St. Barthelemy

St. Barthelemy was first settled by the French in 1648. Huguenots, Protestants from the Normandy region of France, migrated to the island and have continued occupying it. In 1784, it was sold to Sweden, but in 1878, France repurchased it, placing it under the administration of Guadeloupe. In 2003, a referendum among the residents led to the decision for Saint Barthélemy to break away from Guadeloupe in 2007 and become a French overseas territorial collectivity. In 2012, it became part of the EU’s overseas territories, granting it control over the permanent and temporary immigration of foreign workers. The French president is the head of state, and the president of the territorial council is elected by the people. Xavier Lede has been serving as president since 2022 for a five-year term.

St. Barthelemy’s economy revolves around its luxurious tourism, mainly attracting American and French tourists to its beautiful beaches, tax-free shopping, and high-end leisure activities. Most of the island’s residents are employed in tourism-related services and the construction industry. Since all food and fresh water must be imported, the cost of living is high, and the currency is made up of the Euro. No date on GDP.

》 Scripture Focus

》 Prayer Points

1. St. Barthelemy is known for its stunning natural beauty and luxurious resorts, making it a popular destination for the wealthy. The majority of the island’s population is Catholic, with a small number of Evangelicals. There are also around 35% of people who claim to be non-religious. The people of the island show very little interest in spirituality. Though the number of Evangelicals is small, let us pray that they will respond to the call to spread the gospel on this island, which is consumed by wealth and pleasure. May the gospel become a reality to the church, bringing the Word of God to life like a sharp sword. Let us pray that through the church, which has become a witness of the Lord, the people of St. Barthelemy will be given grace to hear the message of the Lord.

St. Martin

》 Country Profile

Continent | America
Population | 32,000
Area | 54.4㎢, Among the Leeward Islands of the Caribbean, one particular island is divided between the north and south. The southern part of the island belongs to the Dutch territory of Sint Maarten while the northern part of the island belongs to the French territory St. Martin.
Capital City | Marigot (5,700)
People Groups | Total 9 groups, Mixed-race of Mulatto, East Indian, Guadeloupean, Haitian
People Groups Unreached | 0
Offical Language(s) | French, Creole, Papiamento
Total Languages | 9
Bible Translations | Completed 6, Partial 2
Religion | Christianity 88.6% (Protestant 4%, Catholic 77%), Non-religious 6.2% Evangelical 7.9% 2,500

》 About St. Martin

Saint Martin was discovered by Columbus in 1493 and initially controlled by Spain, but was later divided between France and the Netherlands. After continued territorial disputes, the Treaty of Concordia in 1648 formally divided the island into French and Dutch territories. France developed the southern part of the island with sugarcane cultivation, importing many enslaved Africans. Up until 2007, Saint Martin was part of Guadeloupe, but following a referendum, it became a French overseas territorial collectivity. In 2010, the southern Dutch part of the island, Sint Maarten, became an independent country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The French president serves as the head of state, while Louis Mussington has been serving as the president of the territorial council since 2022 for a five-year term.

Saint Martin’s economy is heavily reliant on tourism, with 85% of the population engaged in the industry. Over 1 million tourists visit each year, making it a world-renowned resort and tourist destination. It has one of the highest GDP per capita in the Caribbean. The island imports most of its food, energy, and manufactured goods. In 2017, Hurricane Irma caused extensive damage, affecting 95% of the roads, communication infrastructure, electricity, and housing. Saint Martin’s GDP per capita is approximately $19,300.

》 Prayer Points

1. Tourism in Saint Martin is primarily centered around luxurious hotels, nude beaches, and shopping for jewelry and clothing, offering a variety of entertainment options. However, there seems to be little interest in worship or Heaven among the people. Various churches host worship services attended by French, American, and Caribbean people. Let us give thanks to God for the St. Martin Ministerial Foundation, an evangelical Christian initiative where leaders unite to spread the gospel and minister in discipleship training. Let us pray that the churches in this land may become a light to the nations, bringing the gospel to the people who do not know the Lord as witnesses of Him. Let us ask the Lord for the grace of salvation that only He can provide to be poured out on this land.

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