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: Turkey | Population: 1,344,000 | Language: Zazaki, Southern | Main Religion: Islam | Evangelical: 0.00%
The Zaza are a nomadic people in the central part of eastern Turkey. They live in valleys and mountains where they shepherd their livestock and grow agricultural products. The Zaza can trace their roots to the Persians and Medes. The majority of Zaza people consider themselves to be Kurdish, even though their spoken language is more similar to Armenian. Their society is patriarchal, and their traditions and history are passed on orally as the Zaza remain largely illiterate. Pray that God would move in their hearts and that there would be opportunities for believers to go and share stories about Jesus and the truth of God’s Word.
Country: Azerbaijan | Population: 8,050,000 | Language: Azerbaijani | Main Religion: Islam | Evangelical: 0.22%
The Azeri’s name is believed to have been given by a 4th-century Persian ruler. “Azer” is the Persian word for fire, and Azerbaijan means “the place of holy fire.” The Azeri were first conquered by the Persians in the 6th century B.C., followed by the Turks, Genghis Khan, and eventually incorporated into the Soviet Union. Azerbaijan, thanks to its oil production, is now the most developed and powerful nation in that region. Pray for God to call believers to live and serve among the Azeri. Pray that God would raise up a strong and vibrant Azeri church. Pray that the Azeri would recognize that Jesus is Holy and that He is calling them to follow Him.
Country: India | Population: 3,191,000 | Language: Gujarati | Main Religion: Hinduism | Evangelical: Unknown
The Bharwad are primarily engaged in herding and tending to sheep and goats and are generally viewed as one of the lowest of the pastoral castes. They place a high value on their communal identity and on maintaining their traditional customs and dress. Anyone who does not follow their practices is considered to have deserted them. Marriages are arranged within the community at an early age. Engagement ceremonies can take place even before birth, but typically happen when children are two to three years old. Education beyond elementary levels is rare and literacy rates are poor. Pray that the Gospel message would reach them through radio. Pray that the few believers in the Dhangar community will become mature in the faith and become kind and bold witnesses for Jesus.
Country: Senegal | Population: 1,828,000 | Language: Serer-Sine | Main Religion: Islam | Evangelical: 0.81%
The Serer-Sine, also known as the Sereer, have built their society upon strong family ties and tradition. They are subsistence farmers and herders, relying on good crop yields for a prosperous year. Most Sereer hold fast to traditional beliefs, even if they practice Islam or Roman Catholicism. The Sereer wear charms that they believe have the power to bless them. Muslims wear charms that include pictures of a holy man and Koranic verses, Catholic charms include a picture of Christ or a church leader, and animists wear charms that include parts of an animal or ancestor that died long ago. Unlike other people groups in Senegal, Sereer face little persecution for turning to other faiths. Pray this openness would allow the Sereer to find true freedom in Christ.
See more Weekly Featured Unreached People Groups: Alphabetical List or By Date
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