Transmigrant Javanese People Group Profile

“For my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples” (Luke 2:30-31, ESV).

By far, the largest people group in the country of Indonesia is the Javanese. The most densely populated island in the Indonesian archipelago of over 13,000 islands is Java. For this and other economic reasons, the government sanctioned a massive relocation program during the 1970s -1980s in which millions of Javanese farmers moved to rural locations in Sumatra. Today, Javanese are located throughout the island. There are 15 million of them which makes the Transmigrant Javanese the largest people group on Sumatra - over twice the size of the next largest unreached group.

These farmers were asked to “tame the jungle” or work on Sumatran plantations. These transmigrants endured a broad spectrum of hardships; however, due to their hard work and perseverance, many have prospered. Most of the indigenous Sumatran tribes are prejudiced against these “newcomers.”

Most Transmigrant Javanese are Muslim, yet there are over 60,000 Javanese believers on Sumatra. That sounds like a lot, but it only represents .46% of the total population of Javanese in Sumatra. There are around 2,000 Javanese churches in Sumatra. Most Javanese believers don’t think about praying for or sharing the Gospel with the lost living around them. A spiritual renewal among the Javanese believers on Sumatra could have a large and far-reaching impact on the island.

Pray that:

God will bring spiritual awakening among the Javanese believers in Sumatra.

God will call many cross-cultural workers from among Javanese believers.

Training efforts among the Javanese believers will equip them to share with the unreached peoples.

There will be a massive turning of Javanese to faith in Jesus Christ.

The Javanese work ethic will be turned to building up God’s Kingdom.

Workers focused on the Javanese on Sumatra will have wisdom, boldness and perseverance.

The Javanese churches will rapidly multiply and carry the Good News to all the peoples of Sumatra.