2025 Field Guide: Balinese

The island of Bali is renowned for its beauty: stunning beaches, verdant rice terraces, turquoise ocean waters. Captivating wildlife, like monkeys, dolphins, Komodo dragons, jaguars, and hundreds of bird species, inhabit the region. Named the “island of the gods” in the native Indonesian language, Bali is also home to thousands of ancient temples, too, where local people diligently worship false gods.

For generations, the people here have lived among the most breathtaking landscapes in the world, but they haven’t known the name of the one true God who created this beauty that surrounds them.

The Balinese people are devout, offering daily prayers, lighting incense, and placing woven offerings at temples and doorsteps. Their days are filled with ritual and reverence. Yet, when gently asked if their hearts are at peace—if they know they are truly forgiven—many lower their gaze. "No," they admit. "We don’t know for sure."

Ten years ago, a faithful group of missionaries came with a humble calling: to live among the Balinese, to learn their language, to listen patiently, and to share the love of God with these people through their kindness and love. They weren’t tourists chasing sunsets or artists seeking inspiration, but rather gospel workers pursuing a different kind of beauty, and carrying the message of the truth that illuminates the world.

Through educational programs, the missionary team has entered villages previously untouched by the gospel. They teach, tutor, and serve. They gather with families, help children with schoolwork, and return again and again until they are known not as outsiders but as trusted friends.

In one of these villages, a small house church has taken root. It began with one child in an after-school program. Her father was skeptical at first, but over time, something shifted. He saw the joy in his daughter and witnessed her growing and learning. One day, he came to a gathering, just to see what was prompting these changes in her. Somewhere between hesitation and hope, he found faith. Now, he and his family read the Bible together, taking slow and steady steps toward Jesus.

Translation work is also essential to reaching the Balinese. Many locals cannot read fluently, but they can listen, so teams have worked tirelessly to bring the New Testament to life in audio form. People are now hearing the Word of God in their own language, in their own homes. Work continues to translate more books of the Bible, and story sets are being created to help new believers stay rooted, especially when faith costs them the acceptance of family or community.

This past Christmas, across the island, local believers gathered courage and opened their doors. More than 1,000 people came—families, neighbors, friends. They sat under canopies and listened, some for the very first time, to the story of the Christ child born to bring salvation to the world. Scripture was shared, and the hope of the gospel was presented; by God’s grace, many people accepted this new hope and are walking with Jesus now.

It is not an easy road here. Cultural expectations make it hard to develop new leaders. The team is small and at times feels stretched thin. Discipleship materials are scarce, and there are many needs to meet. But the beauty of the work on this stunning island is undeniable. And the beauty of the gospel is reaching new hearts one conversation, one relationship, one family at a time.