Definition Of An Unreached People Group (UPG)
Have you ever felt confused by all the missions terminology that people use? Wonder what all the letters and abbreviations mean? One of the most important ones to understand is the definition of an Unreached People Group. For short, these groups are often called UPGs.
An Unreached People Group (UPG) is a group of people that have very few if any, local believers. This group has their own language, culture, worldview, and ways of behaving. They may have heard the gospel. A few people might have even become Christians. But they can’t reach the rest of their own people group without outside help.
The gospel needs to be made known in ways they can easily understand. Without an indigenous approach, it is unlikely that even these few local believers will be able to reach the rest of their own people. Every culture and people group needs the opportunity to express the gospel in their own way. When that happens, the church among them grows rapidly.
Many mission researchers describe an unreached people group using a percentage. They say they are “unreached” if there are less than 2% Evangelical Christians among them.
What is an Unengaged Unreached People Group (UUPG)?
This is another term you should know about.
An Unengaged Unreached People Group (UUPG) is a people group that has no known church planting happening among them yet. A UUPG may have been “adopted” by a church or mission agency. That group might pray for them and share about them with others. But no one is actively reaching out and communicating the Good News to them.
Jesus commanded us in Matthew 28:19-20 to make disciples of ALL nations! Today there are still thousands of people groups that have no Christians among them. Others groups have a few believers. But no one is gathering them together for training and discipleship.
Get involved in multiplying disciples among the unreached! God is calling all His followers to engage in this task!
Source: www.ywamfrontiermissions.com
Questions
- What in your words are UPG`s?
- Do you have a heart for any Unreached People? If yes, what is it? If no, why not? (To be Answered on your worksheet) Source: ywamfrontiermissions.com