FEBC MINISTERS TO OVER 100 DIFFERENT unreached people groups in Asia (also referred to as ‘Hidden People’ or ‘Forgotten People.) Our sister organization, Feba, broadcasts to approximately 100 unreached groups throughout Africa, India, and the Middle East.
What are “Unreached People Groups?” An Unreached People Group is an identifiable group of people distinguished by a distinct culture, language, or social class who lack a community of Christians able to evangelize them without outside help. Their only opportunity to hear about salvation is through an “external witness.” It is estimated that of the 6 billion people in the world today, 1.2 to 1.4 billion have never heard the gospel of Jesus Christ.
What is an “External Witness?”Historically, an “external witness” was a western missionary committed to sharing Christ with a people group, but these days indigenous missionaries and “gateway” groups are also reaching their non-Christian neighbors. How is an indigenous missionary different from any other missionary?
Indigenous means “native to a specific area,” so an indigenous missionary is a person who shares his faith with his own people. He has a great advantage over foreign-born missionaries because he understands the language and culture and is thus more effective in leading people to Christ.
What is a “Gateway” People Group?
Gateway people live in close proximity to other minority groups. When gateway people are exposed to the gospel and become believers, they become a conduit to surrounding unreached groups. Two examples of “gateway” people are the Khmu of Laos, who are successfully evangelizing neighboring Laotian minorities, and the Chin, a minority group living in Burma, who are reaching out to the Shan, also of Burma.
Why do unreached people groups seem to respond so favorably to the gospel? One of the reasons for the massive growth in Christianity among minority groups is the sense of dignity and worth that indigenous broadcasts offer them. People from these groups grapple with persecution and discrimination most of their lives, but when they hear a radio message spoken in their own language, it validates them. Many minority groups see the broadcasts as their only means of Christian instruction and fellowship.
Do any other “external witnesses” exist?
Yes. Radio is an external witness. Many regions that are inaccessible to man – either geographically or politically - can easily be reached by radio waves. Radio has a proven record of leading hundreds of thousands of unreached people to the Lord, such as the Hmong of Vietnam and Laos.
Are there many more unreached people groups that have not yet heard the gospel?Definitely, and this is why FEBC presses on, one language and one people group at a time, grateful for the partnership of those who support this ministry, in order to follow Jesus’ commandment to “go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations.”
Do you ever hear from unreached people who listen to FEBC broadcasts?Almost every day. Consider this letter written by a Hmong man from Burma.
Dear FEBC:
I hear your broadcasts every day. Most of the Hmong in this area are uneducated. They don’t have anywhere to go. A majority of them don’t know how to love, and they only worship evil spirits. Even worse, these people cause conflicts amongst each other and don’t even know how to take care of themselves.
It is only through your broadcasts that we hear good things. You really touch our lives and we are thankful. Since your program tells us to be better people, our children will grow up and become better people, too, and they will also listen to your programs. They will also learn how to love.
Your program will allow them to have an education, a place to go, and teach them how to love and worship only the Lord. We pray that God will strengthen you, and we pray that you will always be able to broadcast to us.
Thank you. |
