People group profile · PG022499
The Kerinci of Indonesia
The Kerinci of Indonesia, numbering about 359,000 people, are Engaged yet Unreached. They are an Indigenous Malay community of central Sumatra associated with the Jambi cultural sphere whose identity reflects centuries of interaction among inland and riverine populations along the Batang Hari watershed.
They are an indigenous people in the Minangkabau-Rejang of Sumatra people cluster of the Malay Peoples. Their primary religion is Sunni Islam, and they primarily speak Kerinci.
Fast facts
- Country
- Indonesia
- Population
- 359,000
- Affinity group
- Asian Pacific Rim Peoples
- People cluster
- Minangkabau-Rejang of Sumatra
- Primary language
- Kerinci (kvr)
- Primary religion
- Sunni Islam
- Strategic Progress Index
- Engaged yet Unreached
- Evangelical
- Less than 2%
- GSEC
- Less than 2% Evangelical, No Recent CP Activity
- Lostness priority
- Pioneer Unreached People Group
- Region
- South-Eastern Asia, Asia
- Location
- Sumatra, Jambi province: Kerinci regency, Sungaipenuh area in western mountains; West Sumatra province: Solok Selatan regency
Where they live
Gospel status
The Kerinci are Engaged yet Unreached, which means fewer than 2% are evangelical Christians, but there are sustained efforts to establish self-sustaining churches consistent with evangelical faith and practice. In GSEC terms, this people group is less than 2% evangelical, some evangelical resources are available, but there has been no active church planting among them within the past two years.
- Congregations exist Yes
- Church planting in the last two years No Churches Planted
Next steps for the Kerinci
- Continue prayer and fasting for this group
- Continue gospel seed sowing and church planting among this group
- Begin training up local leaders to lead and develop strategies to reach their own people
Primary religion
Sunni Islam · Islam
100% adherents
Primary language
Kerinci · Austronesian family
100% speak Kerinci
Gospel resources in Kerinci
- Bible available, published 2021
- JESUS Film available
- Radio programs not available
- Gospel recordings available
- Audio resources not available
- Bible stories available
Films
- JESUS (Kerinci)
Find more at the JESUS Film Project, Bible.com and Faith Comes by Hearing.
Pray for the Kerinci
- 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.
- John 17:3. Pray that many will come to know the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom he has sent.
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