Kiribati is located half-way between Hawaii and Australia, right along the equator of the Pacific Ocean

THE PEOPLE:

Language: Gilbertese (or  I-Kiribati)

Population: over 112,000

 younger

8% other (Mormons, Baha’I Faith)

No Gospel-preaching church

  
     Kiribati is one of the least developed Pacific Island groups and is comprised of 33 islands straddling the equator. The area of ocean surrounding the islands is the size of the United States; with the total land mass only the size of the city of Baltimore. The capital island, Tarawa, is located half-way between Hawaii and Australia.
     This island is the site of one of the bloodiest battles of World War II. Due to the isolation of this nation and its few natural resources, much of Kiribati has remained unchanged. Most islanders live in primitive conditions and survive by fishing and making handicrafts. 
    The people of Kiribati are a beautiful and friendly people. Some speak broken English, but most speak Gilbertese. Many of the Kiribati people are deeply religious. Hiram Bingham, a Congregationalist missionary, arrived in Kiribati in 1857. While living among the nationals, he translated the Bible into the Gilbertese language. 
    Today, nationals find it difficult to obtain a Bible. Sadly, the church he founded now teaches traditional ritualism and not a personal relationship with Christ. Bible stories are taught in church without explaining the way of salvation. Many people in Kiribati are relying on their own works to obtain a right standing with God. 
    These Congregationalists make up 40% of the population. Roman Catholicism was introduced in 1888, and Catholics comprise 52% of the population. Other religions include Mormonism, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Islam, and the Baha’i faith. 
    Tarawa’s small island is saturated with Mormonism with wards scattered only a few miles apart. Many of their missionaries can often be seen visiting throughout the island.           

Many false religions:
How can the people of Kiribati
find the truth?