Kairiru in Papua New Guinea

People Name:	Kairiru
Country:	Papua New Guinea
10/40 Window:	No
Population:	6,300
World Population:	6,300
Primary Language:	Kairiru
Primary Religion:	Christianity
Christian Adherents:	95.00 %
Evangelicals:	11.00 %
Scripture:	Translation Needed
Online Audio NT:	No
Jesus Film:	No
Audio Recordings:	No
People Cluster:	New Guinea
Affinity Bloc:	Pacific Islanders
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

The Kairiru live in villages around Wewak, the provincial capital. They also live on several islands just off the coast. The Kairiru people of all generations continue to use their traditional language as their primary language. They use Tok Pisin when talking with others. Thank God that a dictionary and a grammar have been produced for Kairiru.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Give thanks for the Catholic missionaries who first brought the good news to Kairiru. The Catholic mission also provided schools. Seventy per cent of Kairiru speakers were educated in Catholic schools. This has contributed to half the population being able to read in Tok Pisin. Some can also read their Kairiru language. This makes it easier to access the scriptures.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Revival swept the Wewak area from the 1960s through to the early 1980s. Many would work all day and then pray much of the night. First-hand witnesses saw healing and even a dead man returned to life. This coincided with the rapid growth of the Assemblies of God church.

What Are Their Needs?

The Kairiru people still need both written and audio Christian materials. They need discipleship tools.

Prayer Points

Pray that God will mobilize workers to bring his word in the Kairiru language.
Pray that the Kairiru people of all traditions will know ongoing revival as they embrace and follow the words of Christ.
Pray for unity among believers regardless of which church tradition they identify with.