Introduction / History

With the majority located primarily in the top corner of northeastern Indonesia, the Gresi people group reside close to the Pacific Ocean on the easternmost portion of the nation. The Gresi people group's most concentrated area additionally borders the nation of Papua New Guinea. While not technically in Papua New Guinea, the Gresi are a part of the Papua Province of Indonesia. The Gresi people is also referred to with the alternative spellings of Geresi, Glesi, and Kelsi. As one of Indonesia's 1,300 ethnic groups, the current population of the Gresi people group is considered to be a limited people group which is slowly growing.

While the Gresi primarily speak Indonesian in order to communicate with their community neighbors, most speak their namesake of the Gresi language within their tribe. Considered to be a Papuan language, the Gresi tribal language has origins within the Nimbroan language family and has close ties to the Kemtuik tribal language.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The closest city where some of the Gresi trade within is Jayapura, a slowly growing seaport city. The Gresi primarily live off the land through fishing and farming with limited economic opportunities.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Gresi have primarily followed ethnic religious viewpoints passed down over generations. Some within the Gresi people group have adapted to Indonesian ways by becoming Muslim. Within the Gresi people group though has been a growing minority who have chosen Jesus as Savior as Christians. Even if they adapt Islam or Christianity, most also practice traditional religion as well.

What Are Their Needs?

In order to adapt, the Gresi people group may feel compelled to lay aside their traditional heritage upbringing in order to become more Indonesian, which can lead some away from Christ. Persecution against Indonesian Christians is still active, as some Indonesian Muslims strive to to have their nation become more Islamized.

Prayer Items

Intercede for the not-yet-believing Gresi people group members to lay aside everything in order to accept Jesus no matter what the cost.
Pray for Gresi Christians to minister to unbelievers through evangelism and discipleship.
Pray for God to be merciful to Indonesia; this island nation experiences earthquakes, volcano eruptions, and significant flooding.
May God the creator of all things also provide hedges of protection to the Gresi people group living so close to the waters.

Scripture Prayers for the Gresi in Indonesia.

References

AI Mode – Gresi People Group Wikipedia (no actual website)