Unreached people group

Not to be confused with Uncontacted peoples.

In Christianity, an unreached people group refers to an ethnic group without an indigenous, self-propagating Christian church movement. ^[1] Any ethnic or ethnolinguistic nation without enough Christians to evangelize the rest of the nation is an "unreached people group". It is a missiological ^[2] term used by Evangelical Protestants. ^{[3] [4]} The Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization defines a people group as

"the largest group within which the gospel can spread as a church planting movement without encountering barriers of understanding or acceptance." ^{[5] [6]}

'Nation' is sometimes used interchangeably for "people group". The term is sometimes applied to ethnic groups in which less than 2% of the population is Evangelical Protestant Christian, ^{[7] [8]} Including nations where other forms of Christianity are prevalent such as Western Catholicism, Eastern Christianity or Judaism. ^{[9] [10] [11]}

Unreached People in North America

In Canada ^[12]

• Lower British Columbia and Vancouver Island is reported to have around 10-20% of the population claiming to be of an Evangelical denomination. ^[13]
• Montreal/Quebec City, Quebec are noted to be some of the most secular cities in Canada. ^[14]
• Yukon Territory has a population of about 60% who claim to be 'unreligious'. The territory has the most indigenous people in Canada. ^[15]
• Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia has been estimated to have less than 1% born-again, Evangelical Christians ^{[16] [17]} .
• St. John's, Newfoundland is known to be the 'forgotten unreached people' where less than 1% attend an Evangelical church. ^[18]

In United States

• Some regions in the State of Utah have near-zero Evangelical presence. ^[19] The state has the lowest percent of Christians in America.
• New England (states of ME, NH, VT, MA) is known to have the most unaffiliated or unreligious people in eastern USA. They are the least religious states in America.
• Metropolitan areas, like New York, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, Sacramento, Los Angeles, Miami, and Augusta have large regions of 'unreached' people.

Unreached People in the 10/40 Window

10/40 Window

Large amounts of most of the countries in what is known as the 10/40 window are known to be 'unreached people groups'. ^{[20] [21] [22]} This list of countries is from His Feet International Ministries. ^[23]

• Albania : A predominantly Muslim nation with a growing Christian presence and a history of religious tolerance.
• Algeria : A predominantly Muslim nation with a small but growing Christian presence, facing challenges of religious restrictions and cultural barriers.
• Bahrain : An island nation with a diverse religious landscape, including a significant expatriate Christian community, but with limited religious freedom for non-Muslims.
• Egypt : Home to a large Coptic Christian minority facing discrimination and persecution, with a growing evangelical movement amidst societal challenges.
• Iran : A theocratic Islamic Republic with a persecuted Christian minority, primarily converts from Islam, facing significant risks and restrictions.
• Iraq : A country recovering from conflict, with a dwindling Christian population facing displacement and security concerns, yet resilient in their faith.
• Israel : A Jewish state with a complex religious and political landscape, home to a diverse Christian community and a significant site for biblical pilgrimage.
• Jordan : A predominantly Muslim nation with a small Christian minority, known for its religious tolerance and historical biblical sites.
• Kuwait : A wealthy Gulf state with a large expatriate Christian community, but with limited religious freedom for non-Muslims and restrictions on evangelism.
• Lebanon : A diverse country with a significant Christian population, facing political instability and economic challenges, yet a beacon of religious coexistence in the region.
• Libya : A nation in transition after years of conflict, with a small Christian minority facing security concerns and limited religious freedom.
• Morocco : A predominantly Muslim nation with a small Christian community, facing restrictions on religious expression and conversion.
• Oman : A Gulf state with a small Christian minority, primarily expatriates, with limited religious freedom but a growing openness to interfaith dialogue.
• Qatar : A wealthy Gulf state with a large expatriate Christian community, but with limited religious freedom for non-Muslims and restrictions on evangelism.
• Saudi Arabia : A conservative Islamic monarchy with strict religious laws and no official recognition of Christianity, making it a challenging environment for Christian witness.
• Syria : A nation ravaged by war, with a dwindling Christian population facing displacement, persecution, and immense suffering.
• Tunisia : A predominantly Muslim nation with a small Christian minority, known for its relative openness and religious tolerance compared to other countries in the region.
• Turkey : A predominantly Muslim nation with a rich Christian heritage, but with a declining Christian population facing societal pressures and discrimination.
• United Arab Emirates : A federation of Gulf states with a large expatriate Christian community, but with limited religious freedom for non-Muslims and restrictions on evangelism.
• West Bank / Gaza : A territory (in Israel) with a predominantly Muslim population and a small Christian minority, facing political conflict and humanitarian challenges.
• Yemen : A war-torn nation with a small and vulnerable Christian minority facing persecution and extreme hardship.

West and Central Africa

• Benin : A diverse nation with a mix of traditional religions, Christianity, and Islam, with a growing Christian population and a history of religious tolerance.
• Burkina Faso : A predominantly Muslim nation with a significant Christian minority, facing challenges of poverty, instability, and extremist violence.
• Chad : A diverse nation with a mix of Christianity, Islam, and traditional religions, facing challenges of poverty, conflict, and limited religious freedom.
• Djibouti : A strategically located nation with a predominantly Muslim population and a small Christian minority, facing challenges of poverty and limited religious freedom.
• Eritrea : A one-party state with strict religious controls, with a persecuted Christian minority facing imprisonment and torture for their faith.
• Ethiopia : A diverse nation with a large Christian population, primarily Orthodox, facing challenges of ethnic conflict, poverty, and religious tensions.
• Gambia : A predominantly Muslim nation with a small Christian minority, known for its relative religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
• Guinea : A predominantly Muslim nation with a significant Christian minority, facing challenges of poverty, political instability, and limited religious freedom.
• Guinea-Bissau : A predominantly Muslim nation with a significant Christian minority, facing challenges of poverty, political instability, and limited religious freedom.
• Mali : A predominantly Muslim nation with a small Christian minority, facing challenges of poverty, conflict, and extremist violence.
• Mauritania : A predominantly Muslim nation with strict Islamic laws and a history of slavery, making it a challenging environment for Christian witness.
• Niger : A predominantly Muslim nation with a small Christian minority, facing challenges of poverty, conflict, and limited religious freedom.
• Senegal : A predominantly Muslim nation with a significant Christian minority, known for its religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
• Sudan : A nation divided by conflict and religious tensions, with a persecuted Christian minority in the north and a growing Christian presence in the south.
• Western Sahara : A disputed territory with a predominantly Muslim population and limited religious freedom.

South and Central Asia

• Afghanistan : A predominantly Muslim nation with a tiny and persecuted Christian minority, facing extreme restrictions on religious freedom and conversion.
• Azerbaijan : A predominantly Muslim nation nestled at the crossroads of Eastern Europe and Western Asia.
• Bangladesh : A predominantly Muslim nation with a small Christian minority, facing societal discrimination and occasional violence.
• Bhutan : A Buddhist kingdom with a small Christian minority, facing restrictions on religious freedom and evangelism.
• India : A diverse nation with a large Hindu majority and a significant Christian minority, facing challenges of religious tensions, caste discrimination, and poverty.
• Kazakhstan : A predominantly Muslim nation with a significant Russian Orthodox minority and a growing evangelical Christian presence.
• Kyrgyzstan : A predominantly Muslim nation with a significant Russian Orthodox minority and a growing evangelical Christian presence.
• Maldives : A Muslim nation with no official recognition of Christianity and strict restrictions on religious freedom.
• Nepal : A predominantly Hindu nation with a growing Christian minority, facing challenges of poverty, political instability, and occasional religious tensions.
• Pakistan : A predominantly Muslim nation with a small Christian minority facing discrimination, persecution, and blasphemy laws.
• Tajikistan : A predominantly Muslim nation with a small Christian minority facing restrictions on religious freedom and evangelism.
• Turkmenistan : A predominantly Muslim nation with a small Christian minority facing restrictions on religious freedom and evangelism.
• Uzbekistan : A predominantly Muslim nation with a small Christian minority facing restrictions on religious freedom and evangelism.

East Asia and Southeast Asia

• Brunei : A Muslim nation with strict Islamic laws and severe restrictions on religious freedom for non-Muslims.
• Cambodia : A predominantly Buddhist nation with a small Christian minority, facing challenges of poverty, corruption, and limited religious freedom.
• China : A officially atheist nation with a large and growing Christian population, facing varying degrees of restrictions and persecution depending on the region and denomination.
• Indonesia : The world's most populous Muslim-majority nation with a significant Christian minority, facing challenges of religious tensions, extremism, and natural disasters.
• Japan : A predominantly Shinto and Buddhist nation with a small Christian minority, facing challenges of secularism, cultural barriers, and reaching a resistant population.
• Laos : A communist state with a predominantly Buddhist population and a small Christian minority, facing restrictions on religious freedom and evangelism.
• Malaysia : A predominantly Muslim nation with a significant Christian minority, facing challenges of religious tensions and restrictions on evangelism to Muslims.
• Mongolia : A predominantly Buddhist nation with a small but growing Christian minority, facing challenges of poverty and cultural barriers.
• Myanmar (Burma): A predominantly Buddhist nation with a persecuted Christian minority, particularly among ethnic groups, facing conflict, displacement, and discrimination.
• North Korea : A totalitarian state with severe restrictions on religious freedom, making it one of the most difficult places in the world for Christians to practice their faith.
• Taiwan : A predominantly Buddhist and Taoist nation with a significant Christian minority, known for its religious freedom and openness to the gospel.
• Thailand : A predominantly Buddhist nation with a small Christian minority, facing challenges of reaching a resistant population and cultural barriers.
• Vietnam : A communist state with a large Buddhist population and a significant Christian minority, facing varying degrees of restrictions on religious freedom depending on the denomination and region.
• Timor-Leste : A predominantly Catholic nation with a young and growing church, facing challenges of poverty and rebuilding after years of conflict.

Unreached People Groups outside of the 10/40 Window

• Large amounts of people in South America are 'unreached':
  • Argentina : A predominately Catholic nation with a small, growing Christian minority. ^[24]
  • Bolivia : A predominately historic Catholic nation with steadily growing Christian minority. About 15% identifying to be Evangelical Christians. ^[25]
  • Brazil : A predominately Catholic country with rapidly growing Christian presence. About 27% identify with the Evangelical church. ^[26]
  • Chile : A historically Catholic nation with stable Christian minority. About 15% of Chileans claim to be born-again Christian, most identifying with the Pentecostal denomination..
  • Colombia : A predominately Catholic nation with significant and growing Christian influence.
  • Ecuador : A predominately Catholic nation with a growing Christian influence, especially in the indigenous communities.
  • Falkland Islands (UK) : A predominately Anglican and Catholic nation with a significant and growing Christian presence.
  • French Guiana (FR): A predominately Catholic nation with around 5% identifying as Evangelical Christian.
  • Guyana: A predominately Evangelical Pentecostal nation, with a significant and growing Christian majority of 64% of the population.
  • Paraguay : A predominately Catholic nation with 6-9% identifying with the Evangelical church.
  • Peru : A predominately Catholic nation with only around 4% identifying as born-again Christians.
  • Suriname : A predominately Catholic nation with a steadily growing Christian influence.
  • Uruguay : A predominately atheist or Catholic nation with a growing Christian influence.
  • Venezuela : A predominately Catholic nation with 17-20% identifying with the Evangelical church.

See also

• Great Commission
• Persecution of Christians
• Uncontacted peoples
• 10/40 window

References

1. "Unreached People Groups". Lausanne Global Conversation. Lausanne Committee on Global Evangelization. Retrieved 10 July 2011.
2. Morreau, A. S. "Missiology." Evangelical Dictionary of Theology . Ed. Walter A. Elwell. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2001. 780-83. Print
3. "Unreached Peoples Initiatives". Christian Aid Mission: Unreached Peoples. Christian Aid Mission. Retrieved 10 July 2011.
4. "Getting There: a journey to impact an unreached world". IMBresources. International Mission Board. Retrieved 10 July 2011.
5. Parks, S. Kent, John Scott. "Missing Peoples: The Unserved "One-Fourth" World: Especially Buddhists, Hindus & Muslims". Lausanne Global Conversation. Committee on World Evangelization. Retrieved 6 July 2011.
6. "Ethnê06 . . . Launching A Global Prayer and Strategy Initiative Focused on the Least Reached Peoples". Lausanne Reports. Retrieved 10 July 2011.
7. "Unengaged Unreached People Groups". Global Research, International Mission Board, SBC. International Mission Board, SBC. Retrieved 10 July 2011.
8. Morgan, Timothy. "Mr. Jabez Goes to Africa". Christianity Today. Christianity Today International. Retrieved 6 July 2011.
9. Standridge, Standridge (January 21, 2020). Why Roman Catholic Countries Should be Considered Unreached. the Cripplegate.
10. Atherstone, Andrew; Jones, David Ceri (2018). The Routledge Research Companion to the History of Evangelicalism. Routledge. ISBN   9781317041528.
11. "PHOTO ESSAY – IS EUROPE UNREACHED?". Pioneers.
12. "Unreached People Groups In Canada" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2020-09-19.
13. Census data shows B.C. is the most secular province in Canada | CBC News
14. Dash, Darryl (2023-01-25). "Pray for Québec". The Gospel Coalition | Canada. Retrieved 2025-12-13.
15. https://www.yukon-news.com/life/the-secular-territory-697153
16. "Hugh Morrison – HeartCry Missionary Society". heartcrymissionary.com. Retrieved 2025-12-13.
17. daughters!, We are His (2015-08-08). "{Ministry Week} Lighthouse, Cape Breton". {We are His Daughters}. Retrieved 2025-12-13.
18. Tyson, Amy (2020-12-12). "Canada's Forgotten Unreached". Acts 29. Retrieved 2025-12-13.
19. "America's Most Unreached People Group | Moody Bible Institute". www.moody.edu. Retrieved 2025-12-14.
20. "Unreached People Groups | Global Frontier Missions". www.globalfrontiermissions.org. Archived from the original on 2024-05-12. Retrieved 2025-12-14.
21. "Country Ranking". missionsprayer.net. Retrieved 2025-12-14.
22. "Unreached People Groups-100 Largest | Joshua Project". joshuaproject.net. Retrieved 2025-12-14.
23. "List of Countries in the 10/40 Window". His Feet International. Retrieved 2025-12-14.
24. Castillo, Sofía (2024-10-31). "Argentina Moves to Officially Celebrate Its Evangelicals". Christianity Today. Retrieved 2025-12-14.
25. "Bolivia | SIM USA". www.simusa.org. 2023-05-28. Retrieved 2025-12-14.
26. Sainz, Victoria (2025-06-05). "The Evangelical–Populist Nexus and Democratic Risks in Brazil". Atlas Institute for International Affairs. Retrieved 2025-12-14.

External links

• "Mr. Jabez Goes to Africa | Christianity Today | A Magazine of Evangelical Conviction". Archived from the original on 2011-02-11. Retrieved 2025-12-17.
• "Frequently Asked Questions". Archived from the original on 2016-04-13. Retrieved 2025-12-17.
• "LAUSANNE COMMITTEE FOR WORLD EVANGELIZATION". Archived from the original on 1997-07-02. Retrieved 2025-12-17.
• Etnopedia's Definition of a people group