Gospel Day – July 10, 2025

History of Gospel Day

The island nation in the central Pacific Ocean was called The Gilbert Islands. It would be called a different name many years after it gained its independence from the British on July 12, 1979. In Gilbertese, the native language, ‘Gilberts’ is translated as ‘Kiribati.’ The “ti” is pronounced as “s,” and that’s how the country name” came to be.

The island was already inhabited thousands of years ago, even before the first European contact took place in the 17th century. Foreign missionaries who came to the island in the 19th century spread Christianity, though it was also spread by two island natives called Betero and Tiroi. In 1881, two natives from Nonouti who had converted to Catholicism while working on European plantations in Tahiti introduced the religion to the islands. Their zeal for Catholicism was reflected in the education programs and church services they led, leading them to convert many islanders.

Today, Roman Catholicism remains the dominant religion and accounts for the largest majority of followers, followed by Protestants. Seventh-Day Adventists, Muslims, Baha’i, Latter-day Saints, and the Church of God are some other religions present on the island.

Traditionally on every Gospel Day, a celebration is usually held at the Bairiki National Stadium in the capital, South Tarawa, and is hosted by the Roman Catholic and Protestant churches. A combined service is conducted by either head of the two churches. Afterward, those in attendance get together in the center of the village called the ‘maeaba.’ Different groups from both churches contribute to the revelry by performing local dances as well as singing choir and religious songs.