April - 12

Country : CONGO Population 2,289,000 Peoples Over 75 ethnic groups. Bantu 93.7%. 62 groups. Largest: Kongo (10) 836,000; Teke (15) 490,000; Mboshi (6) 195,000; Mbete (6) 140,000; Sira-Punu (4) 80,000; Bungi 67,000; Lingala 60,000; Maka-Njem (4) 36,000; Kota (5) 9,000. Adamawa 2.8%. Sango 54,000; Gbaya 2,000. Pygmy 1.5%. 5 groups. Bayaka 20,000; Monzombo 6,000. Other 2%. Hausa 4,000; French 28,000; Portuguese 600; Greek 400. Literacy 63%. Official language: French. Trade languages: Lingala, Munukutuba. All languages 60. Languages with Scriptures 4Bi 4NT 12por. Cities Capital: Brazzaville 800,000. Other city: Pointe Noire 300,000. Urbanization 51%. Economy Economy: Interior underdeveloped due to limited transportation. Rich oil and mineral deposits, but over-dependence on oil and the fall in world prices, as well as massive embezzlement of government funds, have reduced government spending and living standards. Public debt/person $2,379. Income/person $900 (4.3% of USA). Politics Politics: Independent from France in 1960. A Marxist-Leninist People's Republic 1968-1991, but in the '80s the ideological rhetoric waned as the economy declined. Constitutional reform opened the way for multi-party democracy in 1992 and elections in 1992 and 1993. Religion Religion: During the Marxist period, the youth were heavily indoctrinated against religion, 18 denominations were banned and some missions expelled. All restrictions have now been removed and freedom of religion declared. African traditional religions 10.2%. Non-religious/other 2.7%. Baha'i 0.4%. Muslim 1.3%. Christian 85.4%. Nom 7.6%. Affil 75.63%. Growth 3.4%. Protestant 22%. Affil 20%. Growth 4.8%. Roman Catholic 50%. Affil 44.58%. Growth 2.3%. Orthodox 0.02%. Affil 0.02%. Growth 0%. Foreign Marginal 0.38%. Growth 10.7%. Indigenous Marginal 13%. Affil 10.78%. Growth 5.2%. 1. Praise God that there is once more religious freedom. Years of intense pressure and discrimination have ended. Pray for stability in the nation in times of painful economic and social transition. Pray that Christians with high moral and spiritual standards may be appointed to positions of influence. 2. Tribal religions were encouraged by the former regime, and Christians pressured to compromise with fetishism and ancestor worship. During this period, prophetic-healing syncretic churches multiplied. Pray for revival and restoration of biblical standards where churches have failed, and pray that believers may be bold and forthright in challenging the powers of darkness inside and outside the churches. 3. Church growth has been dramatic. There were periods of revival in the '20s and in 1947 which gave stability in the storms of the '70s and '80s. Training of leadership suffered in the time of persecution. Pray for the training of leaders in three Bible schools. UWM has a four-year residential Bible training school as well as a TEE programme. 4. Young people grew up hearing much anti-Christian propaganda. Church youth work was severely limited for years. Pray that churches may effectively win and disciple the younger generation. 5. The centre and north of the country are thinly populated, and many parts are difficult for travel. But there is a growing response to the gospel and a great need for those who can help establish strong, local churches. As a result of economic conditions, the churches generally are financially poor. 6. Mission work suffered in the '70s with many workers expelled and institutions expropriated. Pray for the wise resumption of activities that most enhance the growth of God's kingdom. Over half the missionary force is Scandinavian. The largest missions are the Swedish and Norwegian Mission Covenant Church working with the Evangelical Church (54), WBT/SIL (16), Salvation Army (9), AoG (7), UWM (6), and Global Outreach (3). Major missionary-contributing nations: USA (42), Sweden (41), Norway (15). 7. Unreached peoples. The needs for evangelization must be better researched. a) Parts of the large Teke tribe in the centre and north are unreached. b) The Pygmy tribes are semi-nomadic jungle groups who are hard to reach. Their numbers are unknown, but may be over 30,000. UWM started work among them in 1991. c) Other tribes -- Punu, Nzebi, Pol, Tsaangi, Pande -- are believed to be unreached, but there is little information to clarify this. 8. Bible translation -- the two main languages of communication, Kongo and Lingala, have the complete Bible. Pray for the growing team of 19 SIL workers as they seek to determine which of the 37 languages require a New Testament. Translation projects in hand number 15 and there is a definite need for four more.   Country : COOK ISLANDS Population Cook Is 18,300 Niue 2,112 Tokelau 1,700 Peoples Cook Island: Polynesian (4 languages) 81.6%; Euronesian 15.4%; European 2.4%; Other 0.6%. Niue: Polynesian 96%; European 2.6%; Other 1.4%. Tokelau: Polynesian 98%; Other 2%. Literacy 92% (Cook); 99% (Niue & Tokelau). Official languages: English, Cook Island Maori. All languages 7. Languages with Scriptures 4Bi. Cities Capitals: Avarua 10,000 (Cook). Alofi 1,022 (Niue). Economy Heavily dependent on aid from New Zealand and remittances from migrants. Isolation and irregular transport inhibits development. Income/person: Cook $1,250 (5.9% of USA); Niue $1,080 (5.1% of USA); Tokelau $670 (3.2% of USA). Politics Cook and Niue Islands are self-governing states in free association with New Zealand. Tokelau is a non-self-governing territory of New Zealand. Religion Freedom of religion, but with the Congregational Church in each island group effectually the established Church. Main statistics for Cook Is: Non-religious/other 1.4%. Baha'i 0.8%. Christian 97.8%. Affil 90%. Growth -0.4%. Protestant 78.1%. Affil 72.2%. Growth -0.8%. Roman Catholic 13.2%. Affil 12.1%. Growth -1.1%. Marginal 6.5%. Affil 5.7%. Growth 6.9%. Niue: Protestant 74%; Catholic 6.5%; Mormon 16%; Other 3.5%. Tokelau: Protestant 62%; Catholic 33%; Marginal 5%. 1. The Christian influence has been strong for 150 years. The integration of secular and religious leadership has created what are virtually theocratic states. Church attendance is high, but few have assurance of salvation. 2. Many islands have no known evangelical witness. There are Evangelicals in several AoG churches and small groups within the older churches. Pray for a new infusion of spiritual life. 3. Migration to New Zealand for employment has given another means of bringing new life into the islands. 77% of Niue, 66% of Tokelau and 60% of Cook Islanders are now in New Zealand. Pray for the Island churches in Auckland and other New Zealand cities. Blessing there will affect the islands. 4. Many nominal Christians have been led astray by Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses. Pray for an effective discipling and teaching ministry on the Islands. 5. Bible translation. A revision of the Rarotongan Bible is needed (UBS), and possibly translation into the smaller languages.