Profile : Australia - NT

Description

The Northern Territory has the smallest population of the Australian states and territories and a much higher proportion of Indigenous people than the rest of Australia. The 2001 census indicated that around 29% of the NT population were Indigenous compared to the national average of about 2%.
The Territory continues to record the highest death rate in the country, 8.7 deaths per 1,000 population, reflecting the high death rate among the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population. Of the 870 deaths registered in the Northern Territory in 2001, 49% were Indigenous deaths.

Some 64% of Indigenous people in the Northern Territory speak an Indigenous language or Kriol at home. English is a second or third language for many Indigenous people. Bible translation is in progress in 19 language groups; 26 languages have a portion of the New Testament and about 13 may still need translators.

There are six Aboriginal Anglican parishes in or near Arnhem Land in the northeast of the Territory. Eight men have been ordained since 1978 but death and illness have reduced the number of those fully active in ministry to two. In most churches a faithful group of lay people is involved in leadership. There is a need for the gospel to reach out more widely, particularly to children and young adults.
The gospel came to Arnhem Land with white people of considerable economic, medical and political power, not long after the emergence of the pastoral industry that had resulted in many Aboriginal deaths. Even now the relationship between Aborigines and Europeans is unequal, and this may influence Aboriginal views of Christian faith. There is a need for the Lord Jesus Christ to be seen as God's person for all races, not as a European and for Aboriginal church leaders to unravel some of these cross-cultural issues.

Missionaries

• Peter and Lyndy Berthon
• Philip and Deanne Gerber
• Rob and Leanna Haynes
• Ruth Brigden
• Steve and Narelle Etherington
• Tavis and Kate Beer
• Terry and Liz McCoy
• Wayne and Mandy Oldfield-Jones

Prayer Points

• for wisdom, good health and perseverance for involved in Bible translation programs.

• that Aboriginal church leaders will work through issues of 'gospel and culture' in the light of biblical teaching.

• that God will raise up more Aboriginal leaders.

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Opportunities