God's passion and ours   In Converge Worldwide (BGC), we're convinced that global evangelization is a deep passion in the heart and mind of God. We have a heritage of sharing in that passion, and Conference missionaries have been a part of taking the gospel to some of the world's least evangelized peoples. In 1990, we wanted to renew our commitment to work among unreached people groups and explore new strategies for ministry. We said we wanted to do our fair share in reaching the world's remaining 12,000 unreached people groups. Much was learned during the past decade, and we have continued to refine our list of people groups and strategies for reaching them. What's been accomplished since 1990? Work has begun among Muslims of Central Asia, Africa and France. In the Middle East, we're helping spread the gospel through literature and media. An important new church has been started in the Buddhist stronghold of Thailand. In Ethiopia, India, South America, Vietnam and the Philippines, we have identified other unreached people groups and initiated church planting efforts. Our greatest successes since 1990 have been in Asia, among Apatani, Ibanag, Waray and Thai people groups.

Our present challenge

We're now actively engaged in reaching 22 unreached people groups with the gospel. In some areas breakthrough conversions and core groups of believers have been formed. In other areas patient relational preevangelism continues (particularly in Muslim countries). We need to reinforce each of these important fields in the coming years. Career church planting missionaries and industry professionals are desperately needed. Medical teams, veterinarians, teachers (especially English teachers) and humanitarian relief workers (such as for projects providing clean water) are needed. Prayer and financial support is needed for our work in northeast India, where we partner with nationals to reach several tribal groups with the gospel.

In addition to reinforcing our current projects, we are eager to enter new unreached fields. In Ethiopia and the Philippines we are exploring the possibility of targeting other unreached Muslim groups. In southeast Asia we are exploring other possibilities. Through the Adopt-a-People strategy (formally taking responsibility to reach a people group), local churches and districts may lead the way into other ministry to unreached peoples. 

And other areas.* May not completely fit the definition of "unreached" due to the few congregations present or the potential access to the gospel; these groups nevertheless remain seriously under-evangelized and the church can be planted there only with strong outside (missionary) assistance.

Making an active response:

1. Study the needs and issues related to global evangelization (use the resource list in the Converge Worldwide Frontier Missions packet). Become informed about the movement to finish the task of establishing a church in every people group.
2. Ask God to burden your heart with a particular unreached people group somewhere in the world.
3. Until you discern a particular group on which to focus your effort, give generously to the Unreached Peoples fund of Converge Worldwide. These funds are used in a variety of projects (church planting in India and mass media to Muslims are examples) and are greatly needed.
4. Schedule a date for a staff member from the Unreached Peoples program to visit your church - to preach and consult with your missions leadership on your church's role in frontier missions. Call (714) 228-0670.
5. Research what unreached group God would set before your congregation. Discover sources of information (Internet, missionary newsletters) for ministry updates, especially in the people group your church will help reach.
6. Formally commit your church to long-term focus on that people group. Determine an "advocate" in your church who will maintain the vision.
7. Go for it! Consider ways to pray consistently and support and send teams for ministry among the unreached group. Consider the resources available to you, whether human, financial, or material, and serve according as God provides and guides.