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: 2,272,000 | Language: Hindi | Main Religion: Hinduism | Evangelical: Unknown
The Balai are traditionally known to be weavers, watchmen, and farm laborers. In Hindi, “Balai” means messenger. While some Balai have been able to have stable and secure jobs as masons, carpenters, and business owners, many are illiterate and trapped in poverty. The Balia are a “scheduled caste,” which means they are eligible for certain government benefits, including reserved places in education and jobs. The Balai are practicing Hindus with a particular focus on the mother warrior goddess Durga. Pray that the Balai would hear the message of Jesus and how He has come to set the captives free. Pray that the Balai would receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior and be willing to go and share the message of His Good News with others.
Country: China | Population: 1,282,000 | Language: lu Mien | Main Religion: Ethnic | Evangelical: 0.1-2%
The lu Mien are the largest subgroup of the Yao people and have a history of fleeing persecution. Legend states that there was a dispute between lu Mien King Pan and the Chinese Emperor over some territory. Being outnumbered in people and weapons, King Pan agreed to surrender the territories and accepted a treaty that allowed the lu Mien people to freely live and travel in the hills and mountains. lu Mien are Daoists who believe Pan created the world. They have several centuries of preserved literature, which includes Taoist rituals written in Chinese characters. Pray for the lu Mien to see Jesus as Lord. Pray for those who hear the Gospel to receive it and to walk in the truth. Pray for the small number of Iu Mien believers to be bold in sharing Jesus.
Country: Pakistan | Population: 108,000 | Language: Pahari-Potwari | Main Religion: Islam | Evangelical: 0-0.1%
The name Bafinda was derived from the Persian word baften, or cotton dresser, which has been their traditional occupation. When foreign-made fabrics caused a decline in cotton cultivation, the Bafinda mostly shifted to carpet weaving. Today, they engage in many different vocations. The Bafinda generally only marry within their own community and follow the Islamic law of inheritance. Pray that God would open doors for believers to engage with the Bafinda. Pray for those who have been working on translating portions of Scripture. Pray for seeds of the Gospel to be planted among the Bafinda and that their eyes would be opened to the Good News and the saving power of Jesus Christ.
Country: Russia | Population: 226,000 | Language: Karachay-Balkar | Main Religion: Islam | Evangelical: <0.1%
The Karachay live in the North Caucasus region of southwestern Russia. They have had a long and difficult history of being conquered, including by the Mongol-Turks in the 14th Century (who converted them to Islam), the Russian Czars in the 19th Century, and the Germans during WWII. When Stalin reconquered the Karachay after the war, he deported them to remote parts of Central Asia as a reprisal for “accepting” German rule. Some 35% of the Karachay died during that forced relocation. Most Karachay have returned to their homeland and have preserved much of their heritage and cultural traditions. There are fewer than 50 known followers of Jesus. Pray that God would strengthen, encourage, and multiply the church by His Spirit. Pray that the believer’s daily demonstration of God’s love and redemptive grace would cause people to ask about the hope that they have found in Christ. Pray that the Karachay would choose to follow Jesus and find refuge in Him.
See more Weekly Featured Unreached People Groups: Alphabetical List or By Date
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