November 22 Kingdom of Tonga

HDI Rank 99th/182. Public debt 47.7% of
GDP. Income/person $2,510 (5% of USA).
Fiji
Tonga
South Pacific Ocean
November 22
Nuku'alofa
Tonga
Kingdom of Tonga
Pacific
Area 747 sq km. Archipelago of 171 coral and
volcanic islands, 36 being inhabited, 600 km east
of Fiji.
Population
2010
104,260
2020
108,351
2030
115,487
Ann Gr
0.46%
0.65%
0.65%
Density
140/sq km
145/sq km
155/sq km
Capital Nuku’alofa 24,300. Urbanites 25.3%.The
Tongan diaspora (New Zealand,Australia, USA) is as
numerous as the population of Tonga itself. Pop
under 15 yrs 37%. Life expectancy 71.7 yrs.
Tongan 98.2%. Speaking three related languages.
Other 1.8%. Includes mixed race, Caucasian, Chinese,
other Polynesian.
Literacy 100%. Official language Tongan. All
languages 3. Languages with Scriptures 2Bi
2w.i.p.
Remittances are the largest source of income,
followed by tourism. Subsistence agriculture
continues. The value of imports is five times
larger than exports.
Tonga
British Protected State 1900-1970. Constitutional
monarchy with the king and nobles having
predominant influence. A growing movement
toward democracy since 1990 and with the death
of the king in 2006, but political demonstrations
indicate that the pace is too slow for many proreformers. The first elected prime minister
assumed responsibilities in 2006.
Though avowedly Christian, there is freedom for
all religions. The Free Wesleyan Church enjoys a
privileged position, with the king as titular head.
Religions
Christian
Baha’i
Non-religious
Chinese
Buddhist
Hindu
Pop %
95.76
3.50
0.40
0.20
0.11
0.03
Population
99,839
3,649
417
209
115
31
Ann Gr
0.4%
2.3%
-1.9%
6.4%
0.5%
9.0%
Christians Denoms Pop % Affiliates Ann Gr
Protestant
8
42.62
44,000
-0.8%
Independent
10
11.37
12,000
0.3%
Anglican
1
1.58
2,000
1.9%
Catholic
1
15.35
16,000
0.3%
Marginal
2
52.53
55,000
0.8%
Doubly affiliated
-27.72 -29,000
0.0%
The high doubly affiliated figure is largely due to Mormon
claims for those who retain membership in other
denominations.
Churches
MegaBloc Congs Members Affiliates
Latter-day Saints
M
220
21,800
54,500
Free Wesleyan Church P
138
8,263
29,500
Catholic Church
C
13
9,302
16,000
Free Church of Tonga P
76
6,993
10,000
Ch of Tonga
I
33
3,323
5,550
Tokailolo Fellowship
I
10
1,500
3,000
Assemblies of God
P
60
1,850
2,500
Other denominations[15]
83
4,421
7,648
Doubly affiliated
-28,900
Total Christians[22]
633
57,452 99,798
November 22
823
T
TransBloc
Evangelicals
Evangelicals
Renewalists
Charismatics
Pentecostals
Pop %
Population
Ann Gr
15.5
16,110
0.4%
12.0
5.5
12,537
5,720
3.2%
1.1%
Answers to Prayer
Christian presence and influence in daily life means that nearly all Tongans
q Ahavestrong
access to the gospel.
Jesus March and Global Day of Prayer continue to be annual proclamations of
w The
Christ’s lordship.
Tonga sends significant numbers of missionaries from both Catholic and Protestant
e
traditions, despite its relative poverty and isolation. Much more can be done; YWAM and
other evangelical groups are working toward this.
Challenges for Prayer
Tonga’s rich Christian heritage is a blessing, but has reached the point of oversaturation.
q
The proliferation of denominations generates competition among churches, as newer
groups entice believers away. Isolation and the difficult economic situation complicate issues
further. Pray that Tongan Christians would seek ways to contribute to the Kingdom of God
rather than seeking the church that benefits them the most.
The past century has been one of spiritual decline. There is a long and sad history of
w
bitter schisms within Methodism. Politics and Church are inextricable; even the newer
denominations’ apolitical stance assumes acceptance of the status quo. Pray for a true spirit of
unity among all believers and churches, and pray for leaders who will exemplify unity with
gracious and humble spirits.
Tonga has the world’s highest national percentage of Mormons, but possibly the majority
e
of those claimed by Mormons would not consider themselves such. The country’s largest
employers are Mormons; many financial perks are on offer for those considering the switch. Pray
for the error of this sect to be exposed as such, and for many to find freedom in Christ.
The Tongan diaspora is now larger than the population of Tonga itself. Many lose their
r
faith in their host nations, others retain it only loosely as a cultural identity. Pray that
Tongans abroad might also recapture the dynamic faith of their forefathers and the vision to
take the gospel to the world.
t Specialized ministries. Pray for the lasting impact of:
a) Youth ministries. YFC, SU, CCCI and YWAM work among young people, who are a high
proportion of the Tongan population.
T
b) Christian TV. Praise God that much TV available in Tonga is Christian.
c) Christian literature. The Bible Society and SU distribute Bibles and other Christian
materials widely.
824
Tonga
Operation World