Pray for Fiji

The Republic of Fiji is made up of over 300 islands, 110 of which are inhabited. Roughly three-quarters of the population lives on the largest island, Viti Levu. A tropical landscape filled with rainforests, green mountains, palm trees, waterfalls, beaches, and coral reefs has long made Fiji a popular tourist destination. That beauty feeds into one of the South Pacific’s most developed economies, backed by tourism, manufacturing, trade, and rich, fertile land where locals farm staples like sugarcane and coconuts. Fiji’s population is gradually shifting toward urban areas, with nearly 60 percent of people living in cities, while the rest live in close-knit rural villages. Following its independence in 1970, the nation suffered from many coups; however, the nation’s democracy has strengthened in the last decade. Elections were restored in 2014, and there have been peaceful transitions of power ever since.

Fiji gained independence after being under British rule for nearly a century. During the colonial era, indentured laborers from India were brought to work in the sugarcane fields, leading to a history of division between natives and Indian Fijians. Under British rule, the Indo-Fijians suffered social, political, and economic segregation, causing lasting ethnic tensions. Today, Indo-Fijians make up about 33 percent of the population and are still affected by social and economic inequalities. While many Indo-Fijians lease land to work as farmers, it is hard for them to buy their own land. Almost a quarter of the nation falls below the poverty line. Another major social issue is domestic violence. Of women who have been in an intimate relationship, 64 percent report experiencing physical or sexual violence by their partner.

The Gospel has reached Fiji, but religion is closely aligned with ethnicity. Christianity has become prominent among native Fijians, while Indo-Fijians predominantly practice Hinduism. The Methodist church dates back almost 200 years and has had a strong presence in the lives of most native Fijians. Evangelical Christians make up just over a quarter of Fiji’s population, but the nation’s ethnic divides make cross-cultural evangelism extremely difficult. Fiji needs racial reconciliation and unity, especially within the Church.