Jewish, English-speaking in Papua New Guinea

Jewish, English-speaking
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Map Source:  People Group location: JewishPress.com. Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project.
People Name: Jewish, English-speaking
Country: Papua New Guinea
10/40 Window: No
Population: 1,300
World Population: 5,430,800
Primary Language: English
Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions
Christian Adherents: 0.00 %
Evangelicals: 0.00 %
Scripture: Complete Bible
Ministry Resources: Yes
Jesus Film: Yes
Audio Recordings: Yes
People Cluster: Jewish
Affinity Bloc: Jewish
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

Because of the uniqueness of their history and culture, Jewish people have a strong sense of identity. That includes those in Papua New Guinea (PNG). The Jewish people in PNG are mostly associated with the Gogodala tribe, which claims to be the lost tribe of Israel. There is a smaller group of Jewish people who use English as their primary language.

What Are Their Lives Like?

There is almost no information about the English-speaking Jewish community in PNG.

What Are Their Beliefs?

For religious Jews, God is the Supreme Being, the Creator of the universe, and the ultimate judge of human affairs. Beyond this, the religious beliefs of the Jewish communities vary greatly. Orthodox Jews generally follow the traditional religious beliefs and practices found in the Jewish literature that interprets Scripture regarding ethical, religious, civil, and criminal matters.

Reform Jews do not believe that the Jewish Law is divinely revealed. They are not restricted to kosher foods. They neither wear the skullcap (yarmulke) when praying nor use Hebrew in prayer. All religious Jews believe in the coming of a Messianic Age, but only the Orthodox Jews look for a personal Messiah.

What Are Their Needs?

Jewish people have a wonderful understanding of their connection with the Abrahamic Covenant. However, they also have a history of rejecting Jesus Christ as Messiah, the one who fulfilled that covenant. They tend to view Christianity as the religion of their oppressors rather than the fulfillment of what God promised all of humanity through Abraham centuries ago.

Prayer Points

Pray for the Lord to give the Jewish people in PNG hearts that will want to please him.
May they look to the Lord for guidance and truth, and not be satisfied with cultural traditions.
Pray for Jewish people in PNG to begin a movement to Jesus Christ, finding ways to exalt him while honoring their culture.
Pray for the Lord to move among Jewish leaders in PNG to open the doors to Christ's ambassadors.

Text Source:   Joshua Project