WHO WE ARE
The team here in Vanuatu is focused on reaching children and teens with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We do this by working alongside local churches and schools to train leaders and young people to be “gospel fluent” and to create a culture of excitement and celebration around gospel advancement and discipleship.
Over 57% of Vanuatu’s population is under 25 years old, which presents an incredible opportunity for our youth-focused organization as we reach the next generation. Our ultimate goal is for every youth in Vanuatu to hear the gospel from a friend!
WHO WE ARE
The ministry in Vanuatu is focused on reaching the children and teens of Vanuatu with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and does so by working alongside local churches and schools to train leaders and young people to be “gospel fluent” and to create a culture of excitement and celebration around gospel advancement and discipleship. Over 57% of Vanuatu’s population is currently under 25 years old, presenting an incredible opportunity for us as a youth-focused organization to reach the next generation. Our ultimate goal is for every youth in Vanuatu to hear the gospel from a friend.
ABOUT VANUATU
GEOGRAPHY
The Republic of Vanuatu is an island nation located in the South Pacific. It consists of 83 islands, 65 of which are inhabited. Vanuatu has a tropical climate with a rainy and dry season, and temperatures average between 80-85 degrees Fahrenheit year-round.
SPIRITUAL CLIMATE
Vanuatu faces the challenge of nominal Christianity. Christian tradition is so deeply a part of their culture that 85% of the population identifies as Christian. Many of these people do not truly know Christ or understand the truth of the Gospel!
CULTURE
The culture in Vanuatu is diverse due to their Melanesian ancestry combined with British and French influences. There are over 100 languages in Vanuatu, but the national language is an English-based pidgin called Bislama. Each of the inhabited islands has its own set of "Kastoms" with village chiefs who hold authority.
FUN FACTS
Vanuatu is known for its dense rainforests, beautiful blue waters, WWII shipwrecks, and active volcanos. The national dish in Vanuatu is called "Laplap", which is made with grated root vegetables and wrapped in banana leaves. Vanuatu is home to the largest species of land crab in the world, and it is where bungee jumping was first recorded!
ABOUT VANUATU
GEOGRAPHY
The Republic of Vanuatu is an island nation located in the South Pacific and is made up of 83 islands, 65 of which are inhabited. Vanuatu has a tropical climate with a rainy and dry season, and the temperatures average between 80-85 degrees Fahrenheit year-round.
SPIRITUAL CLIMATE
The spiritual climate is more difficult to define because the country faces the many difficulties of nominal Christianity. Because many Christian traditions have been engrained into their culture today, around 85% of the population identifies as Christian, but many do not truly know Christ or understand the truth of the Gospel.
CULTURE
The indigenous people, referred to as Ni-Vans, speak over 100 local languages, but most also speak the national language Bislama, an English-based Melanesian pidgin. Storytelling, song and dance, and art, such as sand drawing, are very important to Vanuatu's culture.
FUN FACTS
Vanuatu is known for its dense rainforests, beautiful blue waters, WWII shipwrecks, active volcanos, and friendly island people. Vanuatu is home to the largest species of land crab in the world! It is also where bungee jumping was first ever recorded.
Word of Life Vanuatu Missionaries
Asher and Kaylee Thompson
Casper and Sara Lorenzen
OUR STORY
Word of Life Vanuatu is just beginning, though in many ways has been in progress for 8 years! The field director, Asher Thompson, along with missionary couple Casper and Sara Lorenzen, all first visited Vanuatu in 2016 where they fell in love with the native people and culture. Since then, their desire has been to return to reach the people of Vanuatu for Christ, and are grateful to now be doing so through the guidance and support of Word of Life Fellowship.
Asher, Vanuatu 2016
Casper, Vanuatu 2016
Sara, Vanuatu 2016
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