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: China | Population: 3,577,000 | Language: Bouyei | Main Religion: Ethnic Religions | Evangelical: 0.1-2.0%
The Bouyei are one of the ancient peoples of Guizhou and one of the 55 official minorities in China. They were once known as the Chunchia, or “people in the middle.” Thousands of Bouyei were burned at the stake during the Nanlang Rebellion of 1797, which caused many to flee to Vietnam. The government ended education in the Bouyei language in 1995. Only 12% of the Bouyei have attended high school. The Bouyei are polytheists. Superstitions rule their lives, and shamans are hired to cast out demons of illness or bad fortune. Pray for church planting efforts among the Bouyei. Pray that they would recognize that Jesus has power over all of the creatures of darkness and that they would find hope, life, peace, and freedom in Him.
Country: Sudan | Population: 15,948,000 | Language: Arabic, Sudanese | Main Religion: Islam | Evangelical: 0.0-0.1%
Most Sudanese Arabs live in small villages made up of clusters of mud-brick homes. The majority live off of what they can grow: grains, vegetables, and cotton, as well as raising livestock. Some live in towns and cities where they have jobs in various trades and more opportunities for education and economic prosperity. Still other Sudanese Arabs continue the nomadic life of their ancestors, traveling from place to place with their camels and herd. Sudan’s recent history has been filled with genocide, civil war, terror, and destruction, resulting in the deaths of more than 2,500,000 people and the displacement of millions more. Pray that God would bring an end to the conflicts and atrocities in Sudan and South Sudan. Ask God to move in the hearts of family and clan leaders. Pray they would choose to follow Jesus—the Prince of Peace.
Country: India | Population: 4,246,000 | Language: Hindi | Main Religion: Hinduism | Evangelical: 0.0-0.1%
The Dhanuk are a low caste or a minority indigenous people. Many Dhanuk work as agricultural laborers or serve as household help for wealthy landlords and the affluent. Almost all worship Hindu deities, bringing food, flowers, and incense in the hope of earning protection and benefits. The Dhanuk are split into two groups. Those who worship the Hindu goddess Kali will eat pork and drink alcohol, while the rest do not. The Dhanuk also believe in magic, witchcraft, and ghosts. To drive ghosts away, they will put branches from a specific tree and unwanted shoes by the main gate of their house. Pray for the few Dhanuk believers and the churches scattered among them. Pray that the Dhanuk would hear the Good News of Jesus and choose to follow Him.
Country: Indonesia | Population: 3,497,000 | Language: Sasak | Main Religion: Islam | Evangelical: 0.0-0.1%
The Sasak are predominantly found on Lombok Island, which is just east of Bali. Most are farmers, while others work as fishermen or craftsmen. Some Sasak are highly skilled in making weavings or earthenware items that are sold to tourists and exported abroad. Almost all Sasak are Muslims. Each year, many of them will go to great lengths and personal sacrifice to travel to Mecca. They know that by completing the Haj, they will be highly honored by family and neighbors for the rest of their lives. Many Sasak people continue to worship the spirits of ancestors and spirits who live in the forest, mountains, or rivers. They also try to appease evil spirits with offerings of food, flowers, and incense. Pray for church-planting efforts among the Sasak. Pray that they would recognize that Jesus is more powerful than the evil spirits that they fear, and that He alone is the one they should worship.
See more Weekly Featured Unreached People Groups: Alphabetical List or By Date
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