The Erempi (AKA, Rempin) in Papua New Guinea are an indigenous people group living in East Sepik Province, particularly in lowland areas associated with the Sepik River basin. Their environment of rivers, swamps, and dense forest has shaped both their settlement patterns and their way of life over many generations. Villages are often situated near waterways, which serve as important routes for travel, trade, and daily activity.
They speak the Rempi language, part of the Sepik language family, which helps preserve their distinct identity among the many culturally diverse groups of the region. Like many peoples of the Sepik, their history has been maintained through oral tradition, with stories, customs, and knowledge passed down within families and clan structures.
Life among the Rempin is closely tied to the rhythms of the river and surrounding forest. Sago extraction is a central food source, along with gardening of crops such as yams and bananas. Fishing in the river and nearby waterways provides an important supplement to their diet, and canoes are commonly used for transportation between villages.
Community life is structured around extended family and clan relationships, which shape responsibilities, land use, and social identity. Cooperation is essential, especially in food production, house building, and communal activities. Respect for elders plays an important role in preserving knowledge and maintaining social order.
Homes are typically built from materials gathered locally, such as wood, palm leaves, and sago thatch. Because of the region's geography, travel to larger towns can be difficult, and many aspects of life remain locally focused. At the same time, some interaction with wider society occurs through trade, education, and church connections.
The Rempin are primarily Christian, and the church is an important part of community life.
At the same time, some individuals continue to place trust in spiritual forces or beings apart from the one true God revealed in Scripture. These beliefs may influence how people understand illness, misfortune, and the unseen world.
Where such beliefs are present, they reflect faith placed in powers other than God. The call of the gospel is for all people to turn from every other source of spiritual trust and to place their faith fully in Jesus Christ alone for salvation.
Scripture availability in the Rempi language is limited, which can make it difficult for many to engage deeply with God's Word in their own language.
Although many Rempin identify as Christian, there is a need for deeper understanding of the gospel so that faith is rooted in scripture and expressed in daily life.
Greater access to scripture in the Rempi language would help individuals and churches grow in maturity and discernment. Continued teaching and discipleship are important so that believers are grounded in biblical truth rather than influenced by competing spiritual beliefs.
There is also a need for strong, biblically faithful leaders who can teach clearly, guide wisely, and encourage their communities in consistent obedience to God's Word.
Because of their river-based and remote setting, ongoing encouragement and support are important for strengthening the church and helping it remain anchored in the truth of the gospel.
Pray that the Rempin would come to a clear and personal faith in Jesus Christ and trust him alone for salvation.
Pray for increased access to scripture in the Rempi language and for a deep hunger to read and understand God's Word.
Pray for strong, biblically faithful leaders who will teach scripture clearly and shepherd their communities well.
Pray that any remaining trust in spiritual forces apart from Christ would be replaced with full confidence in him alone.
Pray that Rempin believers would grow in spiritual maturity and develop a desire to share Christ with peoples in Asia without a gospel witness.
Scripture Prayers for the Rempin, Erempi in Papua New Guinea.
| Profile Source: Joshua Project |
