I count it a privilege to witness the work God is already doing around the world at such a unique time in history. Our world is more connected than ever, and in many places, the fields are ripe for harvest. Project 3000, or P3K, is an initiative of the International Mission Board that sends “explorers” to commit two years to engage the last 3,000 unengaged and unreached people groups.
People often ask what P3K involves and what that life looks like. The reality is difficult to explain because P3K work varies by location. As I shared my experiences in South Asia with churches, pastors and collegiate groups, I realized there were many misperceptions. I asked fellow missionary explorers to help address some of the most common ones.
Myth 1: Project 3000 isn’t a productive pathway to long-term service through the IMB.
FALSE. Having completed a P3K term and now applying for long-term missionary service, I believe the opposite is true! Project 3000 is one of the best preparations.
As a missionary explorer, my time, capacity and availability looked vastly different from the teams I worked alongside. While their wisdom and follow-up were invaluable, their responsibilities often limited where they could go and how much time they could spend with certain groups. Explorers can travel for extended periods, invest in local believers and confirm information about the unengaged groups. They do this all while supporting missionary teams and learning from these workers.
Skills I developed as a P3K missionary explorer will continue to serve me. I learned about the core missionary task by listening to experienced missionaries, training national partners and sharing the gospel. National partners also trained and discipled me. An explorer in Sub-Saharan Africa said they spent months learning language and culture, just like other missionaries in their area of the world.
The experiences I had traveling in various countries, learning alongside national partners and immersing myself in local culture uniquely equipped me for the future. Project 3000 is an incredible first-term opportunity for those considering long-term missions. The field needs people who can research unengaged groups, mobilize partners and help develop sustainable strategies.
Even for those who do not pursue long-term missions afterward, Project 3000 offers a valuable perspective on how best to pray for and support missionaries serving in unreached places.
Myth 2: P3K team rhythms are the same everywhere.
False. Rhythms for P3K explorers vary by location. One explorer in South Asia said they rely heavily on the “hub” where they live and operate out of. They travel for six weeks alongside a national partner before returning for two weeks of rest, debriefing and training. In other areas, explorers operate more independently, traveling from a home base to work with people groups for shorter periods, sometimes across multiple countries.
Myth 3: Project 3000 explorers lack community on the mission field.
False. Team sizes vary. Some may only have one explorer while others might have 10 or more. Regardless of size, home bases or hubs are intentionally designed to foster connection and support. An explorer in northern Africa emphasized they work closely with other missionary teams and gather with other explorers around the world to train and share findings. Explorers also form tight bonds with local believers and translators who work alongside them. It is rare for an explorer to be truly alone.
Myth 4: Project 3000 is focused on remote areas.
False. There are very few locations where this is true. One explorer in South America noted that while earlier P3K work involved jungle travel, her team now focuses on cities. Explorers must be mobile and able to live out of a backpack, but globalization and infrastructure mean many unengaged people groups are found in urban settings.
While Project 3000 can involve rural areas, expectations of constant rugged hikes and pitching tents every night are unrealistic. Physical health matters due to frequent travel, but extreme athletic ability is not required.
Myth 5: There is no long-term sustainability for reaching the unengaged.
False. During my term, I saw the critical role of local ownership of the Great Commission. Missionary explorers often serve in areas with existing believers and churches. Explorers disciple, train and mobilize local Christians — an important piece of sustained engagement.
One explorer in Europe shared that her term included many opportunities for discipleship and follow-up. While this varies by location, many explorers invest deeply in local believers. In places without believers able to engage the lost, prayer and gospel witness remain urgent. Long-term strategy begins with identifying a group, building relationships and mobilizing prayer.
The work of a missionary explorer in locating people groups, conducting research and developing ongoing ministry strategies is pivotal. In some cases, explorers advance existing efforts by supporting follow-up work and strengthening national partnerships.
Almost everything that can be said about a Project 3000 team in one place may be entirely different for another team somewhere else. However, one thing remains true: Scripture promises that one day every nation, tribe, people and language will be represented before the throne.
As Project 3000 explorers enter new places, share the gospel with new people, disciple new believers, train leaders, see churches planted and eventually leave the work in the hands of local partners, we cling to this promise. What a joy it is to labor toward such an end.
Some names changed for security.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by June Estes. She served among the first missionary explorers for the IMB. She now recruits for and works with Project 3000 while she completes the application process for returning to the mission field long-term.
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