March 01, 1991 by

Location

Over four million Minangkabau people live in the mountainous and agriculturally fertile province of West Sumatra on the island of Sumatra in the country of Indonesia, the fifth largest nation in the world. Another two to three million Minangkabau live scattered throughout Indonesia's major cities as a large and influential minority.

Description

The Minangkabau speak their own distinct language, and have their own artistic, musical, and literary traditions. They are some of the staunchest Muslims in Indonesia and hold many key religious leadership positions and exercise great political influence.

Minangkabau culture and religion is a complex blend of Islam and their own matrilineal and animistic traditions. The Minangkabau have long adapted to outside influences without losing their identity.

Christian Witness

Although nearly 15 million Indonesians claim to be Christians, the Minangkabau Muslims are culturally isolated from them. The New Testament has been translated into the Minangkabau language. Yet, in West Sumatra their heartland, there is no Minangkabau church.

Pioneers is one agency that has chosen to try to reach the Minangkabau. They believe that planting a church among the influential Minangkabau people is a strategic step towards reaching many other unreached people groups in Indonesia. The first Pioneers couple to work among the Minangkabau departed for service in West Sumatra in 1989. Another couple plans to join them this year.

The Need

• Students, educators and skilled professionals to join Pioneers or other church-planting teams to work among the Minangkabau.
• Individuals who will stand behind all these workers in prayer and financial support.
• Churches who will "adopt" the 7 million unreached Minangkabau people.