People group profile · PG008073
The Tiwi of Australia
The Tiwi of Australia, numbering about 4,700 people, are No Longer Unreached. They are an Aboriginal Australian people of the Tiwi Islands north of Darwin whose society developed in relative isolation on Bathurst and Melville Islands and is distinguished by a unique language and matrilineal traditions.
They are an indigenous people in the Aboriginal Australians people cluster of the Pacific Islander Peoples. Their primary religion is Roman Catholicism, and they primarily speak Tiwi.
Fast facts
- Country
- Australia
- Population
- 4,700
- Affinity group
- Asian Pacific Rim Peoples
- People cluster
- Aboriginal Australians
- Primary language
- Tiwi (tiw)
- Primary religion
- Roman Catholicism
- Strategic Progress Index
- No Longer Unreached
- Evangelical
- 20% or Greater but Less than 30%
- GSEC
- 10% or Greater Evangelical
- Lostness priority
- Significantly Reached People Group
- Region
- Australia and New Zealand, Oceania
- Location
- Northern Territory: Bathurst and Melville islands, Nguiu
Where they live
Gospel status
The Tiwi are No Longer Unreached, which means 2% or more are evangelical Christians. In GSEC terms, this people group is greater than or equal to 10% evangelical.
- Congregations exist Yes
- Church planting in the last two years No Churches Planted
Next steps for the Tiwi
- Pray for the churches among this group to grow in faithfulness and maturity
- Equip believers to reach the unreached peoples around them
- Send out laborers from this people to the nations
Primary religion
Roman Catholicism · Christianity
45% adherents
Primary language
50% speak Tiwi
Gospel resources in Tiwi
- Bible available, published 2000
- JESUS Film not available
- Radio programs not available
- Gospel recordings available
- Audio resources not available
- Bible stories not available
Find more at the JESUS Film Project, Bible.com and Faith Comes by Hearing.
Pray for the Tiwi
- John 17:3. Pray that many will come to know the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom he has sent.
- Psalm 27:1. Pray that new believers will be strengthened in the face of persecution, with the Lord as their stronghold.
- Romans 12:4–5. Pray that believers from many cultures will work together as one body so that the church is built up.
- Revelation 7:9. Pray for the day when people from this group stand before the throne with every nation, tribe, people and language.
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