The Lampungese peoples of Indonesia

If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

The Lampungese people live in the Lampung province on the southern tip of Sumatra in Indonesia. This Muslim unreached people group numbers about two million, and only a handful of Christians are known among them. The few Lampungese Christians who were formerly Muslims usually avoid telling others about their faith for fear of being ostracized by family, of being rejected by their group or of persecution that could lead to death. This makes it difficult for the Gospel to spread.

Culture of the Lampungese of Indonesia

Known for their hardness, vengefulness and pride, the Lampungese have proved to be a difficult people to reach. More than 90 per cent of the Lampungese embrace Islam; many are devout, some militant. Lampungese Islam is intermingled with forms of spiritualism, the wearing of amulets and superstitions.

A large influx of Javanese into Lampung province through transmigration has caused the Lampungese to hold even more tightly to their culture and especially their religion. The churches that exist in Lampung province are mostly Javanese. These churches are seen as a threat to Lampungese culture and identity. As if culture barriers were not a great enough hindrance to the Gospel, many Christians in Lampung province are paralysed with fear and are unwilling to share the Good News because of possible persecution.

The Work among the Lampungese of Indonesia

God is at work among this people, and many are praying that recent conversions will lead to a spiritual awakening among the Lampungese. Some Indonesian believers are living and working among the Lampungese to share the Gospel with them. Currently, there are a couple of small groups of Lampungese believers, and many of these believers have a strong desire to share the Gospel with their friends and families. For now, they worship in secret.

Efforts are being made to sow the Gospel seed among the Lampungese. Some of the Bible has been translated into their language (some can also read and understand the Indonesian Bible). An evangelistic radio programme is being translated and adverts have been placed in papers inviting those curious about the Gospel to learn more: some Lampungese are responding. A public display of tracts has received some letters of response from those who want to learn more. God is also raising up men and women to disciple new believers. May God be revealed to many more of these people!

Prayer Focus for the Lampungese of Indonesia

* Pray for the Lampungese people to begin to question their present belief system.

* Pray for the few Lampungese believers to persevere despite persecution and to share the Gospel with their friends and family. Pray that they will have boldness and be willing to forsake all for Christ’s sake (Acts 4:19-20).

* Pray for the missionaries who work among the Lampungese. They need encouragement after seeing little fruit.

* Pray for the Indonesian churches to sense God’s desire for the Lampungese to hear the Gospel and be saved, and have the courage to reach out to them.

* Pray for the new groups of believers to hold tightly to the truths of the Bible and live in a way that honours God (Ephesians 4:1-3).