When Jesus commanded His followers to “make disciples of all nations” in Matthew 28:19, He was not referring to political nations. The word Jesus used for nations in Greek is “ethne,” from which we get the English word “ethnic.” Jesus commanded us to make disciples from every ethnic people group. In Matthew 24:14, He said, "And this Gospel will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come." Until we accomplish this, the task is unfinished.
Reach Beyond is committed to helping the global Church to make disciples among unreached people groups (UPGs). These are cultures and locations where Jesus Christ is largely unknown, and the church is relatively insufficient to make Him known in its broader population without outside help.
According to Joshua Project, there are still 7,000 UPGs, making up over 40 percent of the world’s population. The map below shows where the unreached are primarily located, but we also know we have the opportunity to reach displaced people groups in our own countries.
We want unreached people everywhere to hear about Jesus, see Him in action and learn how to follow Him. Because of our strengths in media, Reach Beyond has prayerfully decided to prioritize the 1900 largest unreached people groups of 100,000 or more in population.
Weekly UPG Prayer Focus
Country: Indonesia | Population: 38,479,000 | Language: Javanese | Main Religion: Islam | Evangelical: 0.0-0.1%
The Java Pesisir Lor are a distinctive people group living in the north-central part of Java Island. Most are farmers or fishermen, but many are seeking urban occupations throughout Indonesia. The Pesisir Lor’s diet consists of a variety of spiced rice and soybean-cake dishes with vegetables, along with an occasional egg or bit of meat that is served with tea or coffee. Nearly all Pesisir Lor people profess to be Sunni Muslims, but Sufi mystical beliefs are widely practiced. The Pesisir Lor travel throughout the year to the burial site of two men who introduced Islam to the island many centuries ago. At these graves, the Pesisir Lor venerate and ask the ancient spirits for health, salvation, and sustenance. Pray for Christians who are working to plant churches in this part of Indonesia. Pray that the Pesisir Lor would find true salvation through faith in Jesus.
Country: Afghanistan | Population: 1,796,000 | Language: Aimaq | Main Religion: Islam | Evangelical: 0.0-0.1%
The Aimaq were once known as a nomadic people who were formidable warriors. Drought and war forced them into a semi-nomadic and largely subsistent life as herders, farmers, and carpet weavers. The Aimaq people consist of some six tribes and over 250 sub-tribes. Women are granted higher status, and participate in group discussions, even when outsiders are present. Tribal customs remain strong, and tribal laws by village leaders usually supersede government and even some Islamic rules. Believers in Afghanistan are highly persecuted. Pray that God would make His Gospel known to the Aimaq, whether they live in Afghanistan, Iran, Turkmenistan, or as refugees in other countries.
Country: Bangladesh | Population: 135,533,000 | Language: Bengali | Main Religion: Islam | Evangelical: <0.18%
Bengali Muslims are the largest ethnic people group in Bangladesh. Islam spread throughout the region in the 13th century and was solidified during the Mughal Empire. Their culture, language, literature, music, and art continue to reflect both ancient Hindu traditions and Sunni Islamic influences. Bangladesh gained independence from Pakistan in 1971. The status and livelihood of Bengali Muslims varies greatly among those living in urban areas, as well as rural places. Poverty, limited access to education, healthcare, and sanitation are significant challenges for them, especially in rural areas. Pray that God would open more doors for Bengali Muslims to hear the Gospel. Pray that they would respond and choose to follow Jesus.
Country: Malawi | Population: 2,693,000 | Language: Yao | Main Religion: Islam | Evangelical: 0.1-1.0%
The Yao trace their history to the area surrounding Yao Mountain in Northern Mozambique. Famine and tribal conflicts in the 1800s caused many to flee. Most Yao are now found in Malawi and live as subsistence farmers and fishermen. The Gospel was brought to Malawi in the mid-1800s by missionaries (including David Livingstone) who were instrumental in Britain ending slavery. However, contact with Swahili-Arab slave traders led to the majority of the Yao converting to Islam between 1870 and 1920. Yao Muslims have insulated themselves from their Christian Yao neighbors by maintaining their unified language, culture, and religious differences, including learning Arabic. Pray for those who are trying to share the Good News. Pray that the Yao would accept the Bible as Holy Scriptures and God’s Word to them. Pray they would recognize Jesus as Savior and find their hope in Him.
See more Weekly Featured Unreached People Groups: Alphabetical List or By Date
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