Do You Want to Reach the Unreached for Jesus?
Most of us are not called to overseas missions. And that's ok. If we're not called 'to go' we gladly support 'those who are' through the missions program at our local church. But did you know that less than 3% of our missionary efforts are actually working with "unreached people groups" or UPG's?
Do you know where most missions money is directed?
If you're reading this, we believe you care about people who are unreached. Your heart aches when you think about anyone spending an eternity apart from God. This short video is an eye opener for every believer who has a passion for reaching the lost and a desire to steward their resources wisely toward that effort. Take 5 minutes to check it out.
If you're reading this, we believe you care about people who are unreached. Your heart aches when you think about anyone spending an eternity apart from God. This short video is an eye opener for every believer who has a passion for reaching the lost and a desire to steward their resources wisely toward that effort. Take 5 minutes to check it out.
If that video stirred something in you, the rest of this post will give you new insight that could very well transform your understanding of Jesus' command to go and disciple all nations. Then you will be empowered with the resources you need to find and engage unreached people and fulfill your 'personal commission' for Christ...
When Jesus told his followers “Go and make disciples of all nations,” the Greek words he used to describe "nations" were TA ETHNE meaning all Ethnic Groups or People Groups.
So what is a people group?
A people group is basically a group of individuals who has a common sense of
- History
- Language
- Beliefs and
- Identity
It is pretty much any group of people who share a common sense of “us is us"and anyone else is “them”.
While there are about 196 countries in the world today, there are over 16,000 distinct people groups.
Let’s look at India as an example. In English, we consider it one 'nation,' but ethnically, India has over 2,000 distinct 'nations' or people groups within its borders.
What factors make a people group "unreached"?
A group is considered unreached if less than 2% of their population is evangelical Christian AND less than 5% identify as Christian. That is, the group has too few true believers to evangelize and disciple the rest of its people group. Almost 3 billion people fall into this category. Around 7,000 of the 16,000 people groups worldwide are considered UPG’s or unreached people groups.
And over 3,000 of those 7,000 unreached people groups are considered UUPG’s or unengaged unreached people groups. These people groups have
NO churches,
NO believers,
NO missionaries
and NO ONE actively focused on engaging them.
Where are these UPG's located?
It’s in the 10/40 window where most of the major non-Christian religions hold control. Collectively these 10/40 Window UPG's are known as the THUMB people.
What can we do about thousands of unreached people groups?
95% of all unreached people groups are located in a part of the world between 10 degrees latitude and 40 degrees latitude stretching from North Africa to Southeast Asia. This area is called the 10/40 window.
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| Map of Countries in the 10-40 Window |
It’s in the 10/40 window where most of the major non-Christian religions hold control. Collectively these 10/40 Window UPG's are known as the THUMB people.
Tribal
Hindu
Unreligious
Muslim
Buddhist
Through KGM’s church planting initiative in India, you are empowering native missionaries who are proclaiming the Gospel in the largest UPG mission field in the world.
India has over 2,500 distinct 'nations' or people groups within its borders. Of these people groups, 2,311 are UPG’s.
THAT'S 96% OF THE POPULATION -
OVER ONE BILLION PEOPLE.
“Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous works among all the peoples.” Psalm 96:3
What an opportunity we have to share the good news...but we must be good stewards of it. First by understanding our personal commission, and second, by being strategic in directing our support to organizations who are best serving that calling.
If you believe that God has a role for every Christian in His global purpose, prayerfully consider partnering with believers in India so they can send out their church's pastor-missionary to reach new villages.
You can be a part of God’s plan for Him to be loved by peoples of every nation by strategically partnering with KGM, an organization who is actively pursuing the unreached people groups of India. A $50 monthly gift supplements believer tithes year-round to help them do Gospel outreach.
Jesus said that the Gospel of the Kingdom would be preached as a testimony to "TA ETHNE" – all people groups.
His mission for us is clear. We must go to the unreached.
Yet the task remains incomplete.
Together we can change that. To learn how you can get started, click the picture below.
Yet the task remains incomplete.
Together we can change that. To learn how you can get started, click the picture below.
The fact sources of this post are globalfrontiermissions.org and joshuaproject.net.
