Imagine living your entire life without ever hearing the name of Jesus. No church in your community, no Bible in your language, no believers to share the hope of Jesus with you. This is the reality for more than one billion people today. These unreached people groups, also known as (UPGs) aren’t just numbers, they are men, women, and children created in God’s image, yet without access to the Bible.
Here at Mosaic International, we believe this is one of the most pressing challenges facing the Church, but it’s also an incredible opportunity. Through active church planting, discipleship, and empowering indigenous communities, we are committed to bringing the Good News to those who have never heard it.
"How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?" — Romans 10:14
Understanding Unreached People Groups
An unreached people group is a distinct group that has little or no access to the Bible. These communities lack a self-sustaining community of believing Christians who can evangelize their own people. Many UPGs are located within the 10/40 Window, a region covering North Africa, the Middle East, and much of Asia, where resistance to Christianity is strong and access to the gospel is scarce.
Unlike places where churches exist and thrive, UPGs do not have enough local believers to establish an ongoing Christian presence. This means that unless evangelical Christians intentionally engage with these groups, they may never have the opportunity to hear about Jesus.
The Scale of the Mission: A Billion Souls Still Unreached
With over a billion people still unreached, the need for a strategic, intentional, and sustainable approach to missions has never been greater.
The most effective way to reach these populations is through active church planting and equipping indigenous communities to lead these movements.
Mosaic International is committed to fostering a church-planting movement that ensures the gospel not only reaches these communities but takes root and grows.
The Role of Church Planting in Reaching the Unreached
A thriving church planting movement is essential in reaching UPGs. Instead of relying solely on outside missionaries, we must equip local believers to plant and sustain churches in their own communities. This approach ensures:
The gospel is communicated in a culturally relevant way.
Local believers are empowered to disciple their own people.
Churches multiply organically, creating a lasting impact.
A healthy community of believing Christians is the key to spreading the gospel beyond the first wave of converts. When local disciples are equipped, they become the best evangelists to their own people.
Overcoming Cultural and Political Barriers
Many unreached peoples live in regions with cultural barriers and government restrictions that make Christian missions challenging. Persecution is common, and new believers often face rejection from their families and communities. Some governments enforce anti-conversion laws, making it illegal to share the Good News openly.
Despite these challenges, mission organizations like us here at Mosaic, continue to work in these regions, training leaders, supporting underground churches, and ensuring that those who seek Christ have access to the gospel. Through strategic partnerships and discipleship efforts, the Church is making inroads into even the most resistant cultures.
Mobilizing the Global Church
To reach the largest group of unreached individuals, the global Church must take an active role in missions. Here’s how you can help:
1. Pray for the Unreached
Prayer is the most powerful tool in missions. When we pray for the unreached, we invite God to soften hearts, remove obstacles, and open doors for evangelism. Pray for:
Divine appointments between missionaries and those seeking truth.
Strength and protection for persecuted believers.
Wisdom for missions organizations navigating difficult regions.
2. Support Missions Organizations
Organizations like us at Mosaic International rely on financial and logistical support to continue reaching unreached people groups.
3. Engage in Short-Term or Long-Term Missions
If you feel called, consider joining a mission to work with unreached people groups. Whether through church planting, medical missions, or community development, there are many ways to serve.
4. Advocate and Raise Awareness
Many believers are unaware of the vast number of remaining unreached. Sharing about unreached peoples with your church, small group, or social media network can inspire others to get involved and make a difference.
The Urgent Call: Making Disciples of All Nations
Jesus commanded us to make disciples of all nations, and this mission remains unfinished. With over one billion people still waiting to hear the gospel, the Church must rise to the occasion.
At Mosaic, we believe that reaching unreached people groups is not just an option, it is an urgent calling. Through church planting movements, discipleship, and the mobilization of believers worldwide, we can see the nations transformed.
Join us in this mission.
Pray for the unreached. Support church planting. Share the Good News. Together, we can ensure that no people group is left without the hope of Jesus!
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” -Matthew 28:19-20
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