Semendo People Group Profile

“Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel’” (Mark 1:14-15, ESV).

The 230,000 Semendo are found primarily in the Semendo district of Muara Enim in Southern Sumatra, Indonesia. The land they inhabit is fertile and most Semendo work as rice or coffee farmers. The Semendo area supplies rice to much of Southern Sumatra. Robusta coffee is a popular export. They regularly grow 300 tons of coffee a year.

Lands and houses are passed down to the eldest daughter. Many young Semendo men leave the area to seek their fortunes in other places because they have little hope of getting an inheritance from their parents. The Semendo are descended from the Banten people of Java. They migrated from Java several centuries ago, seeking a better life.

The Semendo are very sincere in their devotion to Islam. The area has many mosques (places of worship) along with several pesantrens (religious schools). Semendo children are taught to spread the teachings of Islam wherever they go. There are only a handful of known believers and no indigenous church among the Semendo. There are few believers who live near or among this people group.

Pray that:

God will call, equip and send workers to live among the Semendo.

The Holy Spirit will convict the Semendo of sin and prepare their hearts to receive the righteousness of Christ.

The few Semendo believers will be bold in their witness and holy in their lifestyle.

Several churches will adopt the Semendo for prayer and outreach.

Believers seeking to reach the Semendo will have wisdom and boldness.

The first Semendo church will be started before the end of this year.

God will save a Semendo man who moved out of the area and send him back as an apostle to reach his people.