Growing up in the Bible Belt there’s a church on every corner, so it can be hard for many Alabamians to imagine there are entire people groups throughout the world that have never heard the gospel message of Jesus Christ. But as of July 1, 2015, there were still 3,201 unengaged, unreached people groups (UUPG), according to the International Mission Board (IMB). That equates to about 2 billion people.
The Alliance for the Unreached is calling on radio stations, churches and individual media to “be the voice of advocacy for people who have yet to hear the gospel” by establishing the International Day for the Unreached on May 15.
The day will include a range of efforts to raise awareness, including a prayer movement and small groups focus. The alliance also is encouraging pastors to preach sermons on the topic May 15.
The Alliance for the Unreached is composed of Missio Nexus, Bibles for the World, Reach Beyond, Operation Mobilization and the Seed Company.
Several Alabama radio stations also are partnering in promoting the effort such as Birmingham-based WAY-FM, Montgomery-based The JOY FM and Moody Radio stations in Selma, Dixons Mills, Tuscaloosa and Birmingham.
“The first Pentecost marked the beginning of the gospel going to the farthest corners of the earth,” according to The Alliance for the Unreached website. “Imagine a revived movement of believers reaching the hardest corners of the earth for Christ until all have heard the only message that can give lasting hope.”
‘Comfortable’
Wayne Pederson, president of Reach Beyond, a Colorado organization that seeks to spread the gospel via radio and modern media, said it’s easy to get “comfortable and complacent” in America because of the freedoms and access we have to all kinds of Christian resources.
“But we want to remind people … that we’re called to bring [the gospel] to all people,” he said.
In order to spark a fresh movement of God, Christians throughout America must come together in order to share the good news of Christ with those 2 billion unreached people, said Samuel Chiang, president and CEO of the Seed Company, an organization that aims to transform lives through Bible translation.
“There is a historic opportunity with efforts such as the International Day for the Unreached to bring awareness to the worldwide Church to finish the work together, in this generation,” Chiang said.
Resources available for churches and individuals on the International Day for the Unreached website include bulletin inserts, sermon outlines, promotional posters and videos. For more information on UUPGs, visit IMB’s website at imb.org.
For more information about the International Day for the Unreached, visit dayfortheunreached.org.
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