People group profile · PG011005
The Lenakel Tannese of Vanuatu
The Lenakel Tannese of Vanuatu, numbering about 22,000 people, are No Longer Unreached. They are a West Tanna people of Vanuatu descended from Melanesians who arrived roughly 3,000 years ago, visited by Captain Cook in 1774, later transformed by Presbyterian missions, their town Lenakel nicknamed Blackman Town for lacking European ownership.
They are an indigenous people in the Vanuatu people cluster of the Pacific Islander Peoples. Their primary religion is Protestantism, and they primarily speak Lenakel.
Fast facts
- Country
- Vanuatu
- Population
- 22,000
- Affinity group
- Asian Pacific Rim Peoples
- People cluster
- Vanuatu
- Primary language
- Lenakel (tnl)
- Primary religion
- Protestantism
- Strategic Progress Index ?
- No Longer Unreached
- Evangelical
- 2% or Greater but Less than 5%
- GSEC ?
- 2% or Greater but Less than 5% Evangelical
- Lostness priority ?
- Minimally Reached People Group
- Region
- Melanesia, Oceania
Where they live
Gospel status
The Lenakel Tannese are No Longer Unreached, which means 2% or more are evangelical Christians. In GSEC terms, this people group is greater than or equal to 2% evangelical.
- Congregations exist Yes
- Church planting in the last two years No Churches Planted
Next steps for the Lenakel Tannese
- 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
Protestantism · Christianity
Primary language
Lenakel · Austronesian family
100% speak Lenakel
Gospel resources in Lenakel
- Bible available, published 1979
- 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 Lenakel Tannese
- 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.
- 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.
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