Exploring God’s Heart
For the Nations
A Guide to Understanding
Unreached People Groups
April 2011 Edition
March 14, 2011
I write this from a hotel room in Delhi, India. Our Team to
Bihar just completed more than a week of sharing Good
News with Hindus and Muslims. One village we visited sat
along a long, bumpy, winding dirt road which ended
abruptly. From there, we got out of the car and walked a
few minutes into the village. There, we discovered a crowd
of nearly 100 people huddled under a blue tarp stick
shelter waiting to hear about the Savior. This place
seemed like the “end of the road” at the “ends of the
earth”. The crowd listened attentively and many people
responded favorably to the Gospel message.
More than ever, I sense the urgency of our task to “Make
Jesus Known Locally to Globally.” Last week, a
devastating earthquake shook Japan killing as many as
10,000 people (about 1,700 confirmed as of this writing).
What a terrible tragedy! Yet, on that same day, more than
100,000 Indian people passed into eternity – virtually all of
them separated from Christ. India alone is populated with
more than 3,500 unreached people groups (UPGs) – more
than 350 of them with a population of greater than
1,000,000 are unengaged with the Gospel! That‟s just one
country out of more than 190 on our planet. Though
proportionately less due to population differences, the
statistics are similarly staggering all across the globe.
More than one-half the planet‟s people groups are
unreached; more than one-fourth of people groups are
unengaged; and, nearly one-third of the earth‟s population
has no access at all to the Gospel!
Given modern technology, our growing knowledge of
mission strategies, and our vast resources, these statistics
reflect the ultimate tragedy. We must not leave this
unfinished task to future generations. Now is the time to
push back the darkness by shining Christ‟s light to the
ends of the earth. That‟s why I am so excited that Pastor
Rick challenged us to adopt an unengaged, unreached
people group. Doing so would mean we, as a
congregation, take responsibility for making Jesus known
among a people group who has little or no access to the
Gospel. That is a huge undertaking. And, it‟s not
something only a few of us can do. It‟s something we will
need the whole Body of Christ, known as Old Town Baptist
Church, to engage. It takes every part of Jesus‟ Body
functioning together so that His work is done through us.
So, each of us has a role in fulfilling God‟s plan for Old
Town‟s people group adoption.
To help us grow united behind a vision to shine Light in
darkness, I am preparing a series of monthly prayer-action
guides to help us accomplish three goals together:
1. Understand the heart, purpose and strategy of God
as it relates to the “nations” – the world‟s people
groups;
2. Discover the people group God is calling us to
engage with the Gospel; and,
3. Commit ourselves to tangible action toward
fulfilling the mission of God for us – making Jesus
known among this people group.
This booklet is designed for use by Sunday school classes
and small groups during prayer time each week. It should
take about 3 minutes to complete each week‟s readings.
Of course, this material can be used by individuals and
families, also. As we continue this adventure together, I
pray God opens our eyes to see our world from His
perspective; and, that we will let Him move our hearts to
embrace His heart for the world‟s peoples.
For the Nations‟ Sake,
Pastor Mark
Week One: April 3, 2011
Scripture Reading: Matthew 28:19 – 20
These words, Jesus‟ final instructions to His followers, we
call, “The Great Commission”. Here, our Savior makes
clear that we are to “make disciples of all nations”. When
we read the word, “nations”, we often think about the
boundaries of nation-states drawn on a political map. The
word translated, “nations” is ethne, which is related to our
word, “ethnic”. So, Jesus had in mind something other
than countries on His mind when He commanded us to
make disciples. He instructs us to go, teach and baptize
among all the world‟s „peoples‟. These peoples share a
common language, culture and worldview and, together,
they make up a “people group”. Today, though there are
only 192 countries, our planet is populated with more than
11,500 people groups. These are the “nations” Jesus
instructed us to reach.
Has anyone noticed any people groups living in Winston-
Salem? (pause . . . for responses) Of course, every person
belongs to a people group – even you and me! And, God
seems to have moved many other people groups from
around the world to live among us in the US. This week,
take note of people groups you encounter. If you have the
opportunity, talk with person from another people group,
inviting them, “Tell me about your homeland and the
people with whom you identify.” Make notes of your
observations to share next week. Remember to pray for
the salvation of peoples God brings your way this week.
Unreached People Group Focus
Yadav of Nepal
Population: 1,054,000
Percentage Evangelical Christian: 0.03%
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Resources: Bible - New Testament (2010): Yes
“Jesus” Film (in Mathiali): Yes
Prayer Points
Yadav to seek the Living God, giving up their faith in
astrology and talisman;
God to send several Christian workers to live among
them;
Education to be available for girls as well as boys.
Week Two: April 10, 2011
Scripture Reading: Genesis 12:1 – 3
The „Great Commission‟ did not begin with Jesus‟
directions in Matthew 28. In light of His resurrection,
Jesus simply restated the Father‟s purpose from the
beginning – that all the world‟s peoples know Him as God.
Today‟s reading recounts Abram‟s call during which God
unilaterally promised to make his name great and turn his
descendants into a great nation. At this moment, God
started a new „people group‟ on whom He would pour out
His blessing. Blessings and curses are announced –
blessings on those who bless this people of God and
curses on those who curse God‟s people. What an
incredible gift of favor Abram and his descendants are
promised from God! Indeed, this people group is unique –
special among all the world‟s peoples.
Did you catch the purpose of God‟s blessing His people?
The last half of verse 3 describes the Father‟s purpose:
“all the peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”
The Hebrew nation (people group) was created and
blessed by God so that, through them, all the world‟s
peoples could enjoy the blessings of God! They were
blessed to be a blessing. The same is true of God‟s people
today – you and me. In what ways have you been blessed
by God? (pause . . . for responses) How can God work
though you – by means of these blessings – to bless the
world‟s peoples? (pause . . . for responses) Of course, the
greatest blessing from God is His gift of salvation through
Jesus. We were given this gift to give away to those
without access to this Good News. Pray this week about
how God will use your blessed life to bless those who do
not yet know Him.
Unreached People Group Focus
Kazakh of Russia
Population: 644,000
Percentage Evangelical Christian: 0.02%
Primary Religion: Islam
Resources: Bible portion- New Testament (1989): Yes
“Jesus” Film in local language (Kazakh): Yes
Prayer Points
Open hearts of people toward Christians so they can
hear;
Open doors for sharing Good News through
businessmen;
God will reveal Himself to people in miraculous ways.
Week Three: April 17, 2011
Scripture Reading: Psalm 105:1 – 3, 8 – 9
This psalm repeats God‟s constant concern that He and
His activity are made known among „the nations‟ – the
world‟s people groups. The psalmist recounts God‟s
activity among His chosen people by reviewing part of
their history. He writes specifically about what God
accomplished from the time of Jacob through Joseph to
Moses – a time span of more than 500 years. All of God‟s
activity is tied back to the Abrahamic covenant – “His holy
promises given to His servant Abraham.” (Psalm 105:42) In
light of all that God has done in and through His people
over the centuries, we are urged (in verse 1) to respond in
three ways: 1. Give thanks to the Lord, 2. Call on his
name, and 3. Make known among the nations what he has
done.
In everything He does, God‟s concern is that all the world‟s
people know about Him – what He has done – so they, too
can become His people and share His blessings. God‟s
heart is for all people to know, worship, and enjoy Him
forever. This has been His desire all along. We are never
more like God than we embrace His heart for the world‟s
peoples – whoever they are and wherever they live. As
you read Scripture this week – and in the weeks ahead –
ask God to show you His heart for the nations. Look for,
then underline in your Bible or make a list of, those verses
that reflect God‟s desire for the nations. How amazing to
witness in God‟s Word the consistency of His concern for
all people groups. Rejoice in this revelation from the
Living God!
Unreached People Group Focus
Khalka of Mongolia
Population: 1,762,000
Percentage Evangelical Christian: unknown
Primary Religion: Buddhism
Resources: Bible (2000): Yes
“Jesus” Film (in Mongolian and Halh): Yes
Prayer Points
Mongolia to be open to the presence of Christian
workers;
God to open hearts of leaders to the Good News;
God will free people from occultism and Shamanism.
Week Four: April 24, 2011
Scripture Reading: Revelation 7: 9 – 10
This month we‟re exploring God‟s desire for all nations.
God‟s passion is to bless all the world‟s people groups.
He does that as we make disciples of all people by making
Him known among them. What an exciting proposition –
that all people would know the living God! At the same
time, what an intimidating probability – especially given
the statistics with which we are becoming familiar:
1.8 billion people on the planet have no access to
the Good News about Jesus;
6,400+ of the world‟s people groups are considered
an “unreached people group” (UPG): they have
extremely limited access to the Gospel – less than
2% of the people are Christian (and often far less
than 2%);
3,700+ of these UPGs are unengaged with the
Gospel (UUPG – unengaged UPG): as far as we
know, no one works among them to share the Good
News.
Knowing this may prompt the question, „Will God‟s desire
for the nations ever be fulfilled?‟. The answer is a
resounding, “Yes!” God showed John the future
realization of His passion. Notice, there will be people
from „every nation . . . tribe . . . people . . . language‟
worshipping Jesus in eternity. The task will be finished!
As God reveals the UUPG He has chosen us to engage, we
will be part of His accomplishing His desire. This week,
begin praying for God‟s direction toward our UUPG – ask
Him to make clear His plan; and, begin praising Him that
His passion for all people groups will be realized one day!
Unreached People Group Focus
Zaza-Dimli of Turkey
Population: 1,157,000
Percentage Evangelical Christian: 0.00%
Primary Religion: Islam
Resources: Bible portions- New Testament (Zimli): No
Audio Bible: No
“Jesus” Film local language (Athpariya): No
Prayer Points
A Bible translation in their primary language;
Hunger for peace, an openness to the Gospel among
them;
Teachers and healthcare workers to serve among them.
Helpful Resources
Helpful Definitions
People group: A group of individuals who share a common
language, culture and worldview. Strategically, a people group
is the largest group through which the gospel can be
communicated without significant barriers. Different
organizations classify people in slightly different ways. But,
generally speaking, there approximately 12,000 people groups
inhabit our planet today.
Unreached people group (UPG): A people group that is has
less than 2% evangelical Christian among its population (often
the percentage is far less than 2%). This figure is based on the
decision of missiologists that, with that small percentage of
believers, this people group cannot effectively reach its own
population with the Gospel. Today, the world is filled with
about 6,400 UPGs.
Unengaged Unreached People Group (UUPG): A people
group that, as far as we know, no one (foreign missionary,
church, national) is attempting to reach with the Gospel. These
people groups have no access to the Gospel. Today, more
than 3,700 people groups, with a population of about 1.8 billion,
are considered UUPGs.
People Group Adoption: The commitment a church makes to
focus her attention on spreading the Gospel among a specific
people group. The church works alongside other evangelical
Christians if there are any. In the case of a UUPG, the church
in essence becomes “the missionary” to that people group.
Helpful websites for exploring People Groups
Operation World www.operationworld.org
Joshua Project www.joshuaproject.net
International Mission Board, SBC www.imb.org
Peoplegroups.org www.peoplegroups.org
Top Related