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: Chad | Population: 254,000 | Language: Tama | Main Religion: Islam | Evangelical: 0.0-0.1%
The Tama live in a small area on both sides of the border between Chad and Sudan. Years of conflict, war, and severe drought have deeply impacted the Tama and caused them to flee or seek refuge across the border. They live in a harsh climate that rarely allows them to grow more crops than what they need to survive. What little livestock they have is often stolen by bandits or other tribes. Many Tama live in extreme poverty with little hope, and alcohol brewed from millet is a tempting escape. Pray that God would open up opportunities for more believers to live and work among the Tama, especially in areas of community development, clean water, education, and relief. Pray that the Tama would seek and find refuge in Jesus, who deeply cares for them.
Country: Mauritania | Population: 4,418,000 | Language: Hassaniya | Main Religion: Islam | Evangelical: 0.0-0.1%
The Moor people are a subset of the Berbers, who descended from an Arab/Tuareg tribe. When the Arabs conquered North Africa in the 600s and 700s, the Tuareg helped them spread Islam across the region to the west coast of Africa. The Moors and other Berber tribes grew in influence and would rule much of the Iberian Peninsula up until 1492, when Spanish Monarchs regained control. In 1609, the Moors were expelled to North Africa, where they were persecuted for following their particular form of Sunni Islam. They fled to the desert where they took up the nomadic lifestyle as skilled tradesmen. Pray for opportunities for missionaries to live and work among the Moors. Pray that the Holy Spirit would open their minds and hearts to the truth of the Gospel. Pray that Moors would see Jesus as more than a prophet and receive Him as their personal Lord and Savior.
| MISSIONARIES AND STAFF
Country: India | Population: 602,000 | Language: Hindi | Main Religion: Hinduism | Evangelical: Unknown
The Baiga people are part of the larger linguistically-linked group known as Romani. They have maintained a mystical lifestyle that keeps them somewhat socially separate from their surrounding communities. They have high moral standards, and many incorporate folk beliefs into their Hindu practices. Most live in poverty, and an unsanitary lifestyle has created many physical needs among them. The quality of health care, nutrition, and education is poor. Most children do not attend school because their families are always on the move. Pray that the Baiga would want to be part of God’s family and choose to follow Him.
Country: Nigeria | Population: 34.8 million | Language: Hausa | Main Religion: Islam | Evangelical: 0.1%
The Hausa are the largest ethnic group in West Africa and are very influential politically and culturally. The Hausa have been doing long-distance trading throughout Africa and the Middle East for many centuries. As a result, Islam was introduced to the tribe sometime prior to the 16th century. Hausa culture is very strongly tied to Islam which makes it difficult for them to be reached with the Gospel. These deep religious ties have also led to intense persecution of Hausa believers. Pray that God would encourage and protect the Hausa believers. Ask God to send Christians to share His Good News with the Hausa in Nigeria. Pray that God would establish a vibrant and thriving Hausa church.
See more Weekly Featured Unreached People Groups: Alphabetical List or By Date
Colorado Springs, CO 80949-9800
800.873.4859