Palembang in Indonesia

Palembang in Indonesia

pronounced: pahlem-BAHNG

Palembang is the name of a city and a people group. The Palembang people live mostly in Palembang city, but also live in other areas. A typical Palembang house is designed in a distinctive pyramid shape. Most of their houses are raised, standing above water or land. A child is free to draw family lineage by choosing his family or clan name from the father's or the mother's clan. Other traditions are also "free". For example, a newlywed couple is free to live wherever they want. Although Islamic commitment is very high, the role of the shaman is still prominent in many areas of life. For example, if something is lost or someone is sick, a shaman is usually consulted first.

Ministry Obstacles

The Palembang is a very large people group, and has a long history of strong commitment to Islam.

Outreach Ideas

Please pray the very few followers of Jesus among the Palembang will grow in maturity and numbers, such that they will be able to take the good news of Christ to all their own tribe. They will need help from Christians outside the tribe, since the task is large.

Scripture Focus

"Let every created thing give praise to the Lord, for He issued His command, and they came into being."  Psalm 148:5

Scripture Prayer

Pray that the gift of live will draw many from this people group to worshipping God only.

Prayer Focus

Please pray the few followers of Jesus among the Palembang will learn to be joyful always, to pray continually, and to give thanks in all circumstances. Because of their dependence on rice as their livelihood, the Palembang people need irrigation technology so they can make use of the river water for irrigating their rice farms in order to have two or even three harvests a year.