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: 168,000 | Language: Abkhaz | Main Religion: Islam | Evangelical: 0.00%
In the 15th Century, Ottoman Turks conquered the Caucasus Mountain region, and many Abkhaz converted from Christianity to Islam. When Russia regained control of the region, the Muslim Abkhaz felt threatened by Christian Russia and accepted refuge offered by Muslims in Turkey. Most Abkhaz live in rural areas where they raise cattle and grow crops like tobacco, tea, fruits, and vegetables. They have begun to assimilate into mainstream Turkish culture and are in danger of losing their identity as a separate ethnic group. Still, they have retained their caste system and their complex native language, which includes more than 50 consonants and numerous pronunciations for each one. Pray that the complete Bible would be translated into their language. Pray that Christian Abkhaz left in Russia and Georgia would share Christ with their brothers in Turkey.
Country: Myanmar | Population: 2.6 million | Language: Rakhine | Main Religion: Buddhism | Evangelical: 0.05%
The Rakhine make up an estimated 5% of the population in Myanmar. They are farmers and fishermen. They claim to be among the first groups in Southeast Asia to become followers of Gautama Buddha and hold tightly to their beliefs. Pray for an openness in their hearts and minds to learn the truths of the Gospel. While they can understand the Bible written in Burmese, there is no complete Bible translation in Rakhine. Pray for translators to work on the Bible and create other materials in the heart language, including audio-visuals and songs. Pray that they would hear and receive the message of grace and truth in Jesus.
Country: Iran | Population: 2,028,000 | Language: Kashkay | Main Religion: Islam | Evangelical: 0.00%
The Qashqai are a nomadic people who left Central Asia in the 11th Century and today roam the harsh deserts of southwest Iran. They are probably best known for their expert weaving skills. They are a highly independent and proud minority people group who have resisted forceful attempts to be incorporated into mainstream Iranian society. Their traditional language does not yet exist in written form, so most communicate in Farsi instead. While virtually all Qashqai profess to be Shia Muslims, they don’t observe Ramadan or really any other Muslim traditions outside of marriage and death. The Qashqai have few opportunities to hear the Gospel. Pray that they would open their hearts to hearing about Jesus and choose to follow Him.
Country: Venezuela | Population: 377,000 | Language: Wayuu | Main Religion: Ethnic Religions | Evangelical: 1.50%
The Wayuu are the largest indigenous group in Venezuela. They have been semi-nomadic for hundreds of years, crossing the border of Colombia and Venezuela, and have been granted dual citizenship. The Wayuu believe in a creator god. Burials are very important to them since they do not believe that life ends at death, but lives on in their bones. They are first buried with personal belongings. After 5 years, the bones are removed and put in either a ceramic vessel or a hammock, which are then reburied with their relatives. Pray that the Wayuu would recognize Jesus as the Creator, and choose to spend eternity with Him.
See more Weekly Featured Unreached People Groups: Alphabetical List or By Date
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