Pray for Tuvalu

Tuvalu’s islands are sinking into the sea. This tiny nation sits far out in the Pacific Ocean, northeast of Australia. The islands face increasing threats from rising sea levels, flooding, erosion, and saltwater intrusion, and though some of the nine islands have somewhat stabilized, it is estimated that within 100 years, the nation will be almost entirely underwater.

The nation is made up of coral atolls and reef islands  where the highest point is just 16 feet (4.9m) above sea level. There are no rivers or freshwater lakes, so residents rely entirely on rainwater collection systems and groundwater to meet their water needs.

These islands face an uncertain future. With limited resources and few solutions to the growing crisis, the government has made arrangements with Australia and New Zealand, allowing up to 280 Tuvaluans per year to migrate to Australia while also providing extensive financial aid and security guarantees in case of natural disasters. The government does have access to a trust fund that has been wisely managed, but the economy is weakening, with large import and export disparity, unstable fishing, dependency on foreign aid, and small tourism numbers. Many men have sought work abroad in shipping. The culture is also under threat from immoral foreign influences and growing income disparities.

Christian missionaries from the local Cook Islands first brought the Gospel to the Tuvaluan islands. These missionaries established a church on every island — typically the most impressive building on the islands — and to this day, churches are revered as holy places. All traditional chiefs across the islands are required to be members of the church, and Christianity holds deep cultural and civic importance in Tuvalu, though for most Tuvaluans, faith holds little personal depth. The charismatic and evangelical population is small, though it has grown in recent years.