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