While the United States and Canada are two of the most researched nations in the world, believe it or not, we lack both the research and data on the numbers of unreached people groups living in these two countries.
I am amazed that we have better information about a unreached people group living on the backside of the Himalayas than we do among the same people group living in our urban contexts.
Our Best Databases
The three best collections regarding the world’s unreached people groups come from World Christian Database, Joshua Project, and the Global Research Department of the International Mission Board. While there are limitations to these collections, I consider each to be gifts to the Church. They represent years of research and are well respected among missiologists.
For the most part, these collections best represent the people groups of the world found outside of the United States and Canada.
Since the two most accessible databases are with the Joshua Project and the Global Research Department, I will limit the rest of this post to these two collections.
The X-Factors
Researchers with the Joshua Project have spent the majority of their time focused on countries other than the United States and Canada, where there are fewer Evangelicals present and access to the gospel is more limited. While this database reveals information on the unreached peoples in the United States and Canada, the data for these two countries is limited.
The information that is available is a starting point for understanding our present realities. Such information is based primarily on Census data and does not provide the details for an accurate understanding of the people groups. In other words, just because Nigerians show up in a national count, the research has not been accomplished to provide the people groups in this nationality (See my previous post on the limitations of our best data).
A similar reality is found with the data from the Global Research Department.
At the time of this writing–according to denominational policy–the Global Research Department has the assignment of researching every country of the world except the United States and Canada. And because their research has been focused elsewhere, accurate people group counts, the evangelical percentages of the various peoples living in these two countries, and information as to whether or not anyone is engaging such peoples with the gospel and planting churches among them is not available (The North American Mission Board is assigned to missionary activity in the United States, Canada, and their respective territories. Unfortunately, very little research has been conducted by the North American Mission Board on its assigned region of the world.).
Despite these limitations, the Global Research Department is able to provide the names and estimated populations of several hundred unreached peoples residing in these countries. However, the status of those considered unreached is based on the assumption that since such groups are considered unreached in other parts of the world, then it is highly likely that they are unreached in the United States and Canada.
At the time of this writing, accurate information on the unreached people groups living in the United States and Canada does not exist. The data does not exist because no denomination, parachurch organization, or network has conducted the research.
My Estimation of the UPGs in the United States and Canada
Last month, I presented a paper to the Southeastern region of the Evangelical Missiological Society in which I shared my estimation of the number of unreached people groups residing in the United States and Canada. Using inferences from the data collected by the Joshua Project and the Global Research Department, my estimation is that there are between 368 to 641 people groups living in the United States and Canada that are comprised of a 2% or less Evangelical population.
Obviously this is a very large range, based on assumptions behind the data of the Joshua Project and the Global Research Department.
This is the best approximation we have at present. And it is woefully inadequate for the task we have received. More and better research is needed.
A failure to reach the peoples here will not only hinder the advancement of the gospel here but will also hinder the advancement of the gospel throughout the world.
In my final post, I will share four matters that are needed for the Church to move in the necessary direction of doing more and better research to guide missionary strategy.
What are your thoughts on the lack of such research in the United States and Canada? Does such a lack of research have any implications on what we believe about missiology and missions in this part of the world?
If you missed the previous posts in this series, you may find them HERE.
The lack of such research seems to send the message that the mission field is primarily “out there” and that it is perceived that the percentage of those UPG living in the West is insignificant. From my observations, it seems that the only people focused on UPGs in the West are missionaries who were working among the same UPG out there but had to return to their home country for reasons of health, kids education, etc. Thus, reached UPG such-and-such here is secondary and only something one would invest time in if you can’t be reaching them “out there”. Perhaps there needs to be some vision building for people dedicated to reaching UPGs here.
Good thoughts, Karl. I have also observed that the people who “see” the UPGs in the US and Canada are those who have returned home from serving in other countries. Yes. There is a great need for casting the vision to our churches.
i would say it is an issue of money and power. i have heard many presentations before at Capetown 2010 or other places. i questioned why UPG not including those minority groups nor Wall Street people in USA. it is easier to love unknown foreigners than next-door Samaritans.It is easier to raise fund and mobilize congregations for people far away. As a chinese Christian leader in hong kong, i agree with what you said.
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I have been combing the web looking for a list of where to find the pockets of UPGs right here in America. My reason is simple. If we can reach out to these UPGs and see them come to faith in Jesus, they can be the most effective and least expensive missionaries back to their homelands or to other nations where their people have migrated!
I have been directing an ESL (English as a Second Language) Ministry in Akron, Ohio for the past 3.5 years ever since I discovered there were 3,061 internationals living within 3 miles from our church. Even with that relatively low number of non-Anglo and non-African-Americans we have been blessed to have over 400 students from 45 nations . . . 50% of those nations are from the 10/40 Window.
I wish every church in America could catch a vision of what doors ESL can open, especially not “if” but “when” the data is available to locate the hidden UPGs in America, offer them free English classes, win their hearts to Jesus and send them home to reach their world for Christ!
And what a day that will be!!
Thanks for sharing and challenging us, Bruce!
I would love to reach the unreached in Canada. How do I do that. I live in Georgia and I am a Christian Missionary
Locky,
I would start by contacting mission agencies or churches in the country that are doing such work already. Pioneers is a great place to start.
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We returned last year from the field and have been trying to work among UPG in the US. We have seen lack of interest from the English speaking church (in general) there are a few who do have a heart for them. The other issue is that the support of those who are returning is dropped even though they may be working with the same people groups, but since it is not outside of the States then it becomes irrelevant.
We need to return to the Bible as a church and love all those who do not know Christ, far and near. Yes, those of the 10.40 are among us as well. What are we doing here to serve them?
Thank you for sharing, Jose. While some churches and mission agencies are attempting to reach the upgs, you are correct, the majority are not involved. Please help lead the way to reach the peoples around us!