The global church

Christianity in Oceania

Oceania, the vast world of the Pacific, holds some of the most strongly Christian nations on earth. Across Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, and the many island nations, the great majority of people are Christian, and faith is woven deeply into island life. Australia and New Zealand hold historic churches alongside a more secular culture and a growing Pacific and Asian immigrant church. Much of the region was reached by islander evangelists and the translation of the Bible into local tongues.

Islands of deep faith

The Pacific island nations are among the most Christian places in the world. In Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and beyond, the overwhelming majority of people are Christian, and church life shapes the rhythms of village and family. Sunday worship, choral singing, and community gathering are at the heart of island culture.

The faith came to the islands through the nineteenth century, and a striking part of the story is how far it was carried by Pacific islanders themselves, teachers and evangelists who crossed the sea to neighboring islands, and by the patient translation of the Scriptures into island languages.

Australia and New Zealand

Australia and New Zealand hold historic Catholic, Anglican, and other Protestant churches, along with a more secular public culture today. Both also have a vibrant and growing immigrant church, Pacific islander, Asian, and African, and among the Maori and Aboriginal peoples the faith has its own deep and particular expression.

The traditions here

Oceania holds Catholic, Anglican, Methodist, Presbyterian, Pentecostal, and many local island churches, named here as one family and none ranked above another.

The Catholic Church

The largest single communion, led by the Bishop of Rome, present on every continent and expressed through both the Latin rite and many Eastern Catholic churches.

Eastern Orthodoxy

The ancient churches of the Greek, Slavic, and other Eastern traditions, such as the Greek, Russian, Serbian, Romanian, and Antiochian Orthodox, keeping the liturgy and the councils of the first millennium.

Oriental Orthodoxy

The oldest churches of the East, including the Coptic (Egypt), Ethiopian and Eritrean, Armenian Apostolic, and Syriac Orthodox, each with its own ancient language, calendar, and rite.

Anglican and Episcopal churches

A worldwide communion born in England and now strongest in Africa, holding together sacramental worship and the open Bible.

Lutheran churches

Rooted in the Reformation of Martin Luther, strong in Germany and Scandinavia and, today, very numerous in Ethiopia, Tanzania, and across Africa and Asia.

Reformed and Presbyterian churches

The tradition of Calvin and the Reformation, from the Church of Scotland to large churches in Korea, Africa, and the Americas.

Baptist churches

Congregations gathered around believer's baptism and the local church, widespread across the Americas, Africa, and beyond.

Methodist and Wesleyan churches

Born in the revival of John Wesley, marked by warm-hearted faith and works of mercy, and now global.

Pentecostal and Charismatic churches

The fastest-growing stream, emphasizing the Holy Spirit, prayer, and healing, immense across Africa, Latin America, and Asia.

Evangelical and nondenominational churches

A wide family centered on the Gospel, the Bible, and personal faith in Christ, crossing many denominations.

African Independent (Initiated) Churches

Thousands of churches founded and led by Africans, such as the Aladura and Zion and Kimbanguist churches, giving African expression to the faith in Christ.

Countless local expressions

House churches, village congregations, minority communities, and new movements, in every language under heaven, each a real part of the one Body.

This is not a ladder to be climbed but a family to be loved. The apostle prayed that all who follow Jesus would be one, as he and the Father are one, so that the world might believe.

Find community

The island churches carry the faith with remarkable warmth. Wherever you are in the Pacific, or in Australia or New Zealand, you can find a community that follows Jesus near you.

Meet Jesus in your language

The Gospel has never belonged to one nation or one tongue. From the first day the Spirit came, people heard the wonderful works of God each in their own language, and that is still the heart of the church. Wherever you are, and whatever words you pray in, Jesus draws near.

More languages are opening over time. If your language is not here yet, the Gospel of John and an honest prayer in your own words are a good place to begin.

Frequently asked questions

Are the Pacific islands Christian?

Yes. Nations such as Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Samoa, and Tonga are overwhelmingly Christian, and faith is woven deeply into island life, worship, and community.

How did Christianity reach the Pacific?

Through nineteenth-century missions, but strikingly it was carried in large part by Pacific islanders themselves, who crossed the sea as teachers and evangelists, and by the translation of Scripture into island languages.

Is Australia a Christian country?

Australia and New Zealand hold historic Catholic, Anglican, and Protestant churches alongside a more secular culture today, with a vibrant and growing Pacific islander, Asian, and African immigrant church.