Unreached people group

Short description: Ethnic group without Christianity

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]

## Contents

* 1 Unreached People in North America
* 1.1 In Canada
* 1.2 In United States
* 2 Unreached People in the 10/40 Window
* 2.1 West and Central Africa
* 2.2 South and Central Asia
* 2.3 East Asia and Southeast Asia
* 3 Unreached People Groups outside of the 10/40 Window
* 4 See also
* 5 References
* 6 External links

## Unreached People in North America

### In Canada

Source:[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

File:10-40 Window.svg10/40 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. http://conversation.lausanne.org/en/home/unreached-people-groups.
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. http://www.christianaid.org/Missionaries/Unreached.aspx.
4. ↑ "Getting There: a journey to impact an unreached world". IMBresources. International Mission Board. http://gettingthere.imbresources.org/.
5. ↑ Parks, S. Kent, John Scott. "Missing Peoples: The Unserved "One-Fourth" World: Especially Buddhists, Hindus & Muslims". Lausanne Global Conversation. Committee on World Evangelization. https://www.lausanne.org/content/missing-peoples-the-unserved-one-fourth-world-especially-buddhists-hindus-muslims.
6. ↑ "Ethnê06 . . . Launching A Global Prayer and Strategy Initiative Focused on the Least Reached Peoples". Lausanne Reports. http://www.lausanneworldpulse.com/lausannereports/266/03-2006?pg=all.
7. ↑ "Unengaged Unreached People Groups". Global Research, International Mission Board, SBC. International Mission Board, SBC. http://public.imb.org/globalresearch/Pages/default.aspx.
8. ↑ Morgan, Timothy. "Mr. Jabez Goes to Africa". Christianity Today. Christianity Today International. http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2003/november/1.44.html?start=4.
9. ↑ Standridge, Standridge (January 21, 2020). Why Roman Catholic Countries Should be Considered Unreached. the Cripplegate. https://thecripplegate.com/why-roman-catholic-countries-should-be-considered-unreached/.
10. ↑ Atherstone, Andrew; Jones, David Ceri (2018). The Routledge Research Companion to the History of Evangelicalism. Routledge. ISBN 9781317041528. https://books.google.com/books?id=VbJjDwAAQBAJ&q=evangelical+eastern+orthodox+unreached+people&pg=PT170.
11. ↑ "PHOTO ESSAY – IS EUROPE UNREACHED?". Pioneers. https://pioneers.org/2015/08/11/is-europe-unreached/.
12. ↑ "Unreached People Groups In Canada". https://www.murraymoerman.com/3downloads/donton/ton/10 Chapter 5.pdf.
13. ↑ Census data shows B.C. is the most secular province in Canada | CBC News
14. ↑ Dash, Darryl (2023-01-25). "Pray for Québec" (in en-US). https://ca.thegospelcoalition.org/columns/straight-paths/pray-for-quebec/.
15. ↑ https://www.yukon-news.com/life/the-secular-territory-697153
16. ↑ "Hugh Morrison – HeartCry Missionary Society". https://heartcrymissionary.com/people/hugh-morrison/.
17. ↑ daughters!, We are His (2015-08-08). "{Ministry Week} Lighthouse, Cape Breton." (in en). https://godfearingmama.wordpress.com/2015/08/08/ministry-week-lighthouse-cape-breton/.
18. ↑ Tyson, Amy (2020-12-12). "Canada's Forgotten Unreached" (in en-US). https://www.acts29.com/canadas-forgotten-unreached/.
19. ↑ "America’s Most Unreached People Group | Moody Bible Institute" (in en). https://www.moody.edu/stories/undergrad/americas-most-unreached-people/.
20. ↑ "Unreached People Groups | Global Frontier Missions" (in en). https://www.globalfrontiermissions.org/missions-101/the-unreached-peoples-and-their-role-in-the-great-commission.
21. ↑ "Country Ranking". https://missionsprayer.net/unreached-people-groups/country-ranking-the-unreached/.
22. ↑ "Unreached People Groups-100 Largest | Joshua Project". https://joshuaproject.net/unreached/1.
23. ↑ "List of Countries in the 10/40 Window" (in en-US). https://www.hisfeet.com/countries-in-10-40-window/.
24. ↑ Castillo, Sofía (2024-10-31). "Argentina Moves to Officially Celebrate Its Evangelicals" (in en-US). https://www.christianitytoday.com/2024/10/argentina-evangelical-protestant-national-day-aciera-reformation/.
25. ↑ "Bolivia | SIM USA" (in en-US). 2023-05-28. https://www.simusa.org/south-america/bolivia/.
26. ↑ Sainz, Victoria (2025-06-05). "The Evangelical–Populist Nexus and Democratic Risks in Brazil". https://atlasinstitute.org/the-evangelical-populist-nexus-and-democratic-risks-in-brazil/.

## External links

* "Mr. Jabez Goes to Africa | Christianity Today | A Magazine of Evangelical Conviction". http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2003/november/1.44.html?start=4.
* "Frequently Asked Questions". https://www.peoplegroups.org/understand/294.aspx#310.
* "LAUSANNE COMMITTEE FOR WORLD EVANGELIZATION". http://www.lausanne.org.
* Etnopedia's Definition of a people group

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