Fiji

The International Dateline slices through the Fiji Islands, an archipelago of 332 islands in the South Pacific, (110 inhabited), where each day begins. Located north of New Zealand and east of Australia, Fiji is often called the “jewel of the Pacific.”

She gained her independence in 1970 after 100 years of British rule. Four coups d’etat have marred her history since 1987, but Fiji remains one of the most developed of the island countries and is an ever-popular tourist destination.

First evangelized in the 1800’s by Wesleyan Methodist missionaries, the chiefs and then whole villages came to Christ, leaving cannibalism behind. The Methodist church has the largest following among the Indigenous Fijians, (51% of the population), but mainly preaches a social gospel. Although still claiming to be “Christian”, many Fijians are prevented from truly following Christ because they are bound by religious and cultural traditions.

Indo-Fijians, (44% of the population), were brought to Fiji by the British from India in the 19th century to work as indentured laborers. These Indians cling to the traditions and religions of their forefathers, being devout Hindus or Moslems.

The Fiji Islands is a country in great need of the life-changing power of the Gospel and New Testament, Bible-believing Baptist churches.

From Fiji,
Paul & Martha Daku