Sabtu, 21 Maret 2015

Santal of India

Santal of India
The Santals are one of the larger ethnic groups in India. They occupy primarily the Chotanagpur Plateau, with settlements distributed over an area of 350 miles. Traditionally, Santal religion was characterized by a belief in a pantheon of supernatural beings represented at the top by the supreme god Maran Buru and including six other major gods and a host of nature and ancestral spirits. In addition, each family had two gods of its own, the orakbonga (household god) and the abgebonga (secret god), whose name was never divulged to anyone except the eldest son in the family. Hinduism has had only nominal influence on Santal religious practices as has Christianity, despite the fact that Christian missionaries have been working among the Santals since 1862.
Ministry Obstacles
The Santal community has been exposed to at least a form of Christianity for generations. This can have the effect of inoculating the people, making them slow to respond to the truth of scripture when it comes to them.
Outreach Ideas
Scripture is available in most of the languages spoken by the Santal people, as well as other excellent resources such as the Jesus film. Pray for workers to take these to the people.
Pray for the followers of Christ
Pray for the Christians within the Santal community, that they will clearly understand the distinction between a "cultural" or nominal Christian, and a real disciple of Jesus. Pray they will hunger to know Christ as their very life.
Pray for the entire people group
Please pray this large Indian community will soon be set completely free from the worship of false gods, and from superstitions. Pray for the light of the Gospel to penetrate the darkness.
Scripture Focus
"Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance, and the very ends of the earth as Your possession." Psalm 2:8
 

People Name: Santal
Country: India
10/40 Window: Yes
Population: 8,289,000
World Population: 8,982,000
Language: Santhali
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Bible: Complete
Online Audio NT: No
Jesus Film: Yes
Audio Recordings: Yes
Christ Followers: Few, less than 2%
Status: Unreached
Progress Level:
1.1

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