In South Asia, mapping the mission has helped ministry leaders decide where to work and what strategy to use. When an East-West Regional Director was meeting with a national partner recently, they were reviewing data in a mapping software. The software helps field staff see where churches exist and whether those churches are planting more churches. They can also see where unreached people groups are.
Rick, the Regional Director, was thrilled to see that many of the districts where Rajesh, the national partner, works have multiplying churches among an unreached people group. In another district, some of the local leaders wanted to conduct general ministry without targeting a specific people group, but Rajesh and Rick knew they could adopt a more strategic path forward.
Together, Rajesh and Rick reviewed the data in that district. What they found is that more than 160 people groups in that district are unreached or unengaged unreached people groups. Some have had believers share the gospel with them, but some have not had any interactions with believers.
Rajesh reminded the local leaders of two Bible verses that show that Jesus wants to reach all people groups.
“‘And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.’” –Matthew 24:14
“After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands … .” –Revelation 7:9
While general ministry is good since the majority of the people groups in this region are unreached, it is also important to intentionally target specific people groups in order to obey the heart of the Great Commission.
The mapping software helped Rajesh lead his team with a strategy to reach the unreached in South Asia.
Multiply
East-West’s three-year strategic focus, Multiply, is about intentional strategy, discipleship, and partnership so the unreached are reached with the gospel. Billions are waiting for the light. Will you help us take the gospel to the nations?
