People group profile · PG022625
The Ambonese of Indonesia
The Ambonese of Indonesia, numbering about 329,000 people, are No Longer Unreached. They are a mixed Austronesian and Melanesian people of Ambon and southwestern Seram, shaped by centuries of spice trade and colonial contact.
They are an indigenous people in the Maluku-Central people cluster of the Malay Peoples. Their primary religion is Protestantism, and they primarily speak Ambonese Malay.
Fast facts
- Country
- Indonesia
- Population
- 329,000
- Affinity group
- Asian Pacific Rim Peoples
- People cluster
- Maluku-Central
- Primary language
- Ambonese Malay (abs)
- Primary religion
- Protestantism
- Strategic Progress Index
- No Longer Unreached
- Evangelical
- 30% or Greater but Less than 40%
- GSEC
- 10% or Greater Evangelical
- Lostness priority
- Significantly Reached People Group
- Region
- South-Eastern Asia, Asia
- Location
- Maluku province: Kepulauan Aru regency, Aru island group, Wamar island; Seram Bagian Barat regency, Ambon city, Kamarian to Seriholu on Hoamoa peninsula; Maluku Tengah regency, Nusa Laut island, upper Elpaputih bay east to Sepa; Ceram sea coast from Karl
Where they live
Gospel status
The Ambonese 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 Ambonese
- 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
31% adherents
Primary language
Ambonese Malay · Austronesian family
100% speak Ambonese Malay
Gospel resources in Ambonese Malay
- Bible available, published 2022
- JESUS Film available
- Radio programs not available
- Gospel recordings available
- Audio resources available
- Bible stories available
Films
Find more at the JESUS Film Project, Bible.com and Faith Comes by Hearing.
Pray for the Ambonese
- 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.
Ambonese in other countries
The same people (ROP3 100274) is reported in 1 other country.
| People group | Country | Population | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ambonese | Netherlands | 51,500 | No Longer Unreached |
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