"Unreached People Groups" is the current buzz-phrase among evangelical Christians. Some believe it will hasten Christ's return when we reach at least one person in every nation/language on earth. Others just feel it is our duty, as followers of the Lord, to obey His command to "Go and make disciples of all nations..."
It is laudable to have the goal of reaching every "nation" under the sun with the Good News of salvation through Jesus Christ. But in the rush to reach new, uncharted territory, millions and billions of souls are being bypassed.
What about the villages, whose "people group" may have a small church in a city where a few have gone to seek work? Those back in the remote village, who never walk farther than 5 or 10 miles from home, may have never heard of Jesus Christ. Are not their souls precious to our Father as well?
Yes, God desires to be glorified in all the nations. Jesus preached to the multitudes and had compassion on them--as sheep without a shepherd. But He also invested Himself in a small group, and remains active through small or large groups of believers--His church.
Yet we often find Him reaching individuals. Each soul is precious to Him. The man born blind, the woman at the well, Lazarus and his sisters, Nathaniel under his fig tree. God is a personal God; Jesus Christ is a personal Savior. That means each person needs to hear the Gospel, and make the eternal choice to follow, or reject, the salvation of God Almighty.
Just to clarify, India has more "unreached people groups" than any other nation on earth--over 2000. We are sometimes overwhelmed with the crowds and traffic and noise of the cities. Yet when we are on the ground, in the field, we see the individuals face to face.
Christ died for each one rushing by us. He died for the little village among the rice paddies an hour away by taxi. He died for the little children--50,000 new ones born each day--who need to know that there is a God Who loves them. That they have eternal purpose. That they are not viewed as a "people group", but as a soul of infinite worth to the Creator.
I think this desire to be known as an individual comes through in our journeys. So many people request to have "one photo", and delight to see it on our camera screen: Children giggling along a dirt path to a village, sandal repairmen sitting on the roadside into town, women selling fruit in the marketplace, the taxi driver who takes us to our destination. Each wants to be recognized as unique, worthwhile, a distinct "me" in the streaming flow of people and history.
As Christians, we too need to recognize the individual who crosses our pathway. We are God's watchmen, responsible for the Good News to the nations, and to each soul in that nation. May the Lord bless us with His eyes and His heart for His children.
--Alice Sharrock
It is laudable to have the goal of reaching every "nation" under the sun with the Good News of salvation through Jesus Christ. But in the rush to reach new, uncharted territory, millions and billions of souls are being bypassed.
Yes, God desires to be glorified in all the nations. Jesus preached to the multitudes and had compassion on them--as sheep without a shepherd. But He also invested Himself in a small group, and remains active through small or large groups of believers--His church.
Yet we often find Him reaching individuals. Each soul is precious to Him. The man born blind, the woman at the well, Lazarus and his sisters, Nathaniel under his fig tree. God is a personal God; Jesus Christ is a personal Savior. That means each person needs to hear the Gospel, and make the eternal choice to follow, or reject, the salvation of God Almighty.
Just to clarify, India has more "unreached people groups" than any other nation on earth--over 2000. We are sometimes overwhelmed with the crowds and traffic and noise of the cities. Yet when we are on the ground, in the field, we see the individuals face to face.
Christ died for each one rushing by us. He died for the little village among the rice paddies an hour away by taxi. He died for the little children--50,000 new ones born each day--who need to know that there is a God Who loves them. That they have eternal purpose. That they are not viewed as a "people group", but as a soul of infinite worth to the Creator.
 |
| Samson and Lokhesh, Tenali |
I think this desire to be known as an individual comes through in our journeys. So many people request to have "one photo", and delight to see it on our camera screen: Children giggling along a dirt path to a village, sandal repairmen sitting on the roadside into town, women selling fruit in the marketplace, the taxi driver who takes us to our destination. Each wants to be recognized as unique, worthwhile, a distinct "me" in the streaming flow of people and history.
As Christians, we too need to recognize the individual who crosses our pathway. We are God's watchmen, responsible for the Good News to the nations, and to each soul in that nation. May the Lord bless us with His eyes and His heart for His children.
--Alice Sharrock
