Kiribati

Kiribati Factbook

Most people in Kiribati are religious but a much smaller number show a genuine relationship with Christ. Though there is much nominalism, there is also a significant number of evangelicals.

Kiribati is a collection of 33 islands spread across more than 1 million square miles of Pacific Ocean. The islands straddle the equator and are approximately half way between Hawaii and Australia.

Approximately 90,000 people live on the islands of Kiribati. Almost all are indigenous Kiribati people.

The economy of Kiribati is poorer than many of the nations around it. Exports of fish products is a major source of income. The infrastructure is poor and the distance separating the islands makes improvement unlikely. Kiribati is heavily dependent on aid from the UK and Japan. Foreign aid accounts for as much as half of the national income.

Once a British colony, Kiribati began self-rule in 1971 and gained full independence in 1979. The government is now a republic. Under British rule, Kiribati was known as the Gilbert Islands. There is freedom of religion.

The gospel has been known in Kiribati for many years. Approximately half the population is Roman Catholic. Most of the remainder is Protestant. Evangelicals account for more than 5% and their numbers are growing.

Many of Protestant churches are liberal as is the only Bible school. Consequently, there is much nominalism in the churches. Pray that more of these churches would clearly preach the scriptures. Pray the more people would have the opportunity to hear such preaching and that many would come to Christ.

The number of Protestants has been falling because of the emptiness of the teaching. People are looking elsewhere for meaning. The Mormons account for only 2% of the population but they are by far the fastest growing group in Kiribati.

Some islands do not have an evangelical witness. Pray for more evangelical churches and for at least one on each island.

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