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: India | Population: 1,804,000 | Language: Hindi | Main Religion: Hinduism | Evangelical: 0.0-0.1%
The Dhobi people are one of the many Dalit castes and lower-status communities of India. They have traditionally been the ones who washed laundry throughout the Hindu world. Men wash the clothes, women iron them, and boys deliver packages of clean laundry to their owners. The Dhobi are pragmatic Hindus who will worship whatever spiritual force they believe will help them in practical ways. Besides worshiping popular Hindu and local gods, they worship the stones they use for washing clothes. Pray for believers to go and make disciples among the Dhobi. Pray that the Dhobi would experience God’s love and realize that Jesus is the only one who can wash away their sins and make their hearts clean.
Country: Iran | Population: 44,315,000 | Language: Persian | Main Religion: Islam | Evangelical: 0.1-2.0%
Persians have a rich history of kings, kingdoms, poetry, art, and advances in math and science. Their last king (or shah) was overthrown by Islamic revolutionists in 1979. Iran then became an Islamic nation ruled by the Ayatollah, or religious leader. Persians are very devoted to family, gathering together almost every day. Iranian law dictates that women cover their heads and wear special dress in public. Most women abide by these rules since penalties can be very severe. While the majority of Persians profess to being Muslim and believing in the Prophet Mohammed, some estimate that less than 10 percent strictly follow the practice of Islam. Many Persians are open to other religious beliefs. Pray for evangelization efforts since witnessing is illegal and conversion carries severe punishments. Pray for religious freedom in the country so churches can meet legally and openly.
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.
See more Weekly Featured Unreached People Groups: Alphabetical List or By Date
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