2022 UPG PORTFOLIO
LETTER FROM THE BLESS BOARD
ONE.
ONE penny of every dollar raised for Christian missions worldwide goes to reaching the Unreached. There are plenty of valid reasons why that’s the case; language barriers, unstable governments, geographic challenges – you name it. If reaching the Unreached was easy, no doubt that number would be far higher. But Jesus didn’t leave any qualifiers when he gave the Great Commission in Matthew 28 to each ONE of us. He said to go and make disciples of all nations, not just those who would welcome the Gospel with open arms. He invited the church into a better story and gave each of us a role to play. In Unreached areas of the world, hardship is commonplace. But God’s power is bigger. And that is precisely where the Gospel of Jesus Christ is needed and craved the most.
ONE person may reach a few, but when God’s people come together, each playing their unique role, we become the global church that reaches many. We often tell the story of William Carey and Andrew Fuller–two missionaries from the 1700s. Both were passionate about reaching the Unreached, but God had called them to help in different ways. Carey would go to India, while Fuller would stay behind and raise support back home. Before leaving for India, Carey famously told Fuller, “I will go down into the pit if you will hold the rope.” It took each ONE.
BLESS has been built on the courage of individuals who understand the need to become ONE body to take the truth of God’s love to every person on earth. Over the last five years, you—the BLESS Family—have given over six million dollars. Your generosity has fulfilled Mission Partner grants globally, funded mobilization efforts locally, and secured the operations of BLESS. But there is still more to do.
In recent months, we have discovered new ways to increase efficiency through prayer and time spent with advisors and Mission Partners. The BLESS Portfolio is the result. This collection of 22 Unreached People Groups (UPGs) offers an opportunity for us to walk alongside the UPGs until a healthy indigenous church is established, fulfilling the command of the Great Commission. We are overwhelmed by God’s goodness to us and to those we have the privilege to serve. We’re also deeply inspired by how ONE body, the BLESS Family, has risen to the challenge to take the Gospel worldwide.
ONE man said yes and led the Israelites out of Egypt. ONE woman spoke to Jesus at the well and told an entire village the Messiah had come. ONE man was converted on the road to Damascus and sparked the greatest revolution in the history of the world. ONE man went into the pit, and ONE man held the rope.
ONE penny.
ONE person.
ONE body.
ONE Mission.
ONE GOD.
Just ONE!
But God can do wonders with ONE.
THE BLESS PORTFOLIO
The board has spent time reflecting on the past five years. We have been reviewing operational processes with advisors and have continued to learn more about the current state of global missions. This time of reflection and learning has strengthened our resolve to reach the Unreached in the most effective way possible.
We’ve learned that our impact could be greater by establishing healthy indigenous churches in Unreached areas of the world. And so, we are excited to launch The BLESS Portfolio, a comprehensive collection of 22 Unreached People Groups (UPGs). We will continue to work with our trusted Mission Partners, who have strong relationships with cross-cultural workers working with UPGs on the frontlines.
Our vetting will remain thorough with new streamlined operational processes that include rigorous checks every two to three years. We’ll also have quicker onboarding when adding more Mission Partners and, in turn, have the ability to add UPGs to the portfolio as funding allows.
Further, the UPGs will be reviewed semi-annually for financial planning, funding, and reporting to the BLESS family. The reviews will deepen the relationship with BLESS and provide updates, so we can pray for their struggles and celebrate their successes together.
Each UPG journey is unique, but the journey from unreached to within reached is typically 10 to 15 years. We will invest resources semi-annually throughout the journey to assist with spiritual and physical needs so that one day, all will come to know the name of Jesus.
Under the leadership of board member Dr. Todd Ahrend, a respected authority on global mission outreach, BLESS Advisory Board Leader Dustin Elliott, and trusted Mission Partners, we considered these key factors:
FRONTLINE CHALLENGES
- Unstable governments & corrupt law
- Hostility toward Christian cross-cultural workers
- Global crisis: Pandemics, war, disease, etc.
- Geographic challenges
- Language barriers
- Belief systems based on shame, blame, and fear
MISSION PARTNER VALUES
- Mission & vision alignment
- Track records & reputation
- Understanding of challenges & urgent needs on the frontline
- Established relationships with cross-cultural workers
- Access to cross-cultural workers on the frontline
ECONOMY OF SCALE
- Process improvement
- Depth of relationship
- Timely funding allocation
- Ease of reporting
THIS PORTFOLIO OFFERS YOU A CHANCE TO BE A PART OF SOMETHING MUCH BIGGER:
to see God’s Kingdom come and his will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
MATTHEW 6:10
WITHIN REACHED PROGRESS JOURNEY
This scale was developed in partnership with leading missionary organizations and BLESS board member Dr. Todd Ahrend, one of the world’s authorities on mission outreach. It identifies the progress of cross-cultural workers as they journey with UPGs toward a healthy indigenous church.
1—ON-SITE TRAINING
Cross-cultural workers are trained and on-site.
After years of contemplation & prayer, a decision is made to go. After raising financial support, the worker goes with training and support from the local church and is enlisted with a sending agency.
2—LEARNING MAJORITY LANGUAGE
The majority language is learned.
Often there are two languages to learn; the majority (or trade) language is a common tongue spoken by the majority of the population and necessary for commerce, trade etc.
3—LEARNING MINORITY LANGUAGE
A minority language is learned.
This is the heart language of the particular people group, the language where most spiritual decisions are made, and their best understanding of God’s word happens.
4—TRANSLATING SCRIPTURE
Translation of Scripture has begun.
The cross-cultural workers have developed deep friendships with several local leaders who can and do assist in the translation.
5—SHARING THE GOSPEL
The Gospel is being shared in the minority language by the cross-cultural workers.
In some cases, there may not be a written version of the heart language, in which case this step can require creating an alphabet and literacy training.
6—DISCIPLING NEW BELIEVERS
New believers are being discipled.
This is often commensurate with baptisms, although it can happen earlier and later. The new believers are equipped with the Gospel and trained to share it themselves.
7—NEW BELIEVERS MAKING NEW DISCIPLES
Local believers are now discipling others.
The translation is likely continuing, but enough has been taught and trained that the people are reproducing believers amongst themselves.
A community of disciple-makers is being developed; they are fellowshipping, studying, encouraging, and helping each other reach friends and family
8—EQUIPPING INDIGENOUS LEADERS
Disciple-makers are equipped to lead the local church.
Likely along the way, some structures have been built, which could include schools, medical facilities, and a church.
The missions team is now preparing the local leaders to lead their church.
9—INDIGENOUS LEADERS LEADING
The church is now being led by indigenous believers.
The cross-cultural workers are in the pews - not behind the pulpit.
They have adequate access to Scripture in their heart language.
10—CHURCH THRIVING
The people group has a viable church, is equipped, and the cross-cultural workers can return home.
Indigenous elders have been appointed and are shepherding the church.
BELIEF SYSTEMS
Every people group on earth has a belief system that shapes how they see the world. Most are based on works and not faith, shame and not grace, and futility, not eternal life.
The Christian faith offers a personal relationship with a living God and salvation based on grace and not works, which starkly contrasts the only reality many in the world have known.
ANIMISM
A belief system that thinks all things, including people, animals, geographic features, natural phenomena, and inanimate objects, possess a spirit that connects them to one another. The success or failure of one's life in the here and now depends on whether these spiritual beings are pleased. If one can please the spiritual powers by ceremonies and behavior, they will cause good things to happen. If not, they will punish them with misfortune.
There is no god or salvation. Current existence is based on appeasing spirits.
BUDDHISM
This belief system holds that all human life is suffering because, in this life, all will have desires. The key to ending this suffering is the realization that the true nature of reality is constantly changing and, therefore, human selves are not permanent or even real. A person who understands this will reach a state called "Nirvana" and end their painful cycle of death and rebirth.
There is no god and no hope of salvation.
HINDUISM
This belief system is built on the doctrine of reincarnation and karma. One of the key thoughts of Hinduism is “atman,” or the belief in the soul. This philosophy holds that living creatures have a soul and are all part of the supreme soul. Hindus worship a plurality of gods, with the ultimate being Brahman. The end goal is to be absorbed back into Brahman.
Works are required to appease multiple deities without any chance of salvation.
ISLAM
This belief system says there is one god, Allah, who created all things and will judge his creation at the end of time. Judgment will be based on obedience during a lifetime, primarily by adherence to five pillars: A mantra about the identity of god and his prophet Mohammed, ritual prayer, giving to the poor, pilgrimage to Mecca, and an annual month-long fast.
There is no way to know if works will be enough, and there is no personal relationship and no grace from Allah.
UPGs PRACTICING ANIMISM
Unreached People Groups PRACTICING ANIMISM
Some UPG names have been changed or omitted from this list to protect the people working with the Unreached.
PEOPLE GROUP*
PROGRESS
POPULATION
UPG DESCRIPTION
NUKHU*
1
ON-SITE TRAINING
9,000
- married women wear extravagant clothing
- live high in the mountains and are difficult to access
- at birth, all twins will be killed to appease the spirits
KAYMO*
1
ON-SITE TRAINING
24,000
- are strongly impacted by war and conflict
- have been oppressed and persecuted
- multiple dialects that make translation difficult
KUYU
2
LEARNING MAJORITY LANGUAGE
1,200
- live on narrow ridges of mountains
- access to town and healthcare is an arduous two-day hike
- write letters with missionaries in nearby village requesting the Gospel
KAYKAR*
3
LEARNING MINORITY LANGUAGE
170,000
- live in multi-generation households
- have a high death rate and lower life expectancy
- resourceful and make many things from bamboo
JENTUBERI*
3
LEARNING MINORITY LANGUAGE
30,696
- the area is hard to access by vehicle
- language is a challenge to learn
- coffee, bananas & sacha inchi nuts are being introduced as a new crop.
MALIYALI
5
SHARING THE GOSPEL
3,500
- unnoticed and untouched by the outside world
- live in the densest forest of a mountain range
- way of life has been unchanged by the pressures of external influence
WANTAKIA
7
NEW BELIEVERS MAKING NEW DISCIPLES
10,000
- subsistence farmers with coffee as the only cash crop
- men hunt and trap tree kangaroos
- have some parts of the Bible translated into their own language.
DINANGAT
9
INDIGENOUS LEADERS LEADING
2,000
- no written language
- a collection of nine utterly remote villages
- perform rituals to protect crops from the spirit world
FRONTLINE STORIES
The basic premise of animism is that spirits control and are involved in every aspect of life. Because animists are so focused on the spiritual realm, they never rely solely on a natural explanation to describe events.
A few months ago, a sick and older woman died in the neighboring tribe to Kuyu. The people of this tribe could not accept that she had died of natural causes. They believed that a witch had used her influences from the spiritual realm to bring about an untimely death. Quickly, they went to work determining who the culprit was and most likely used some sort of divination or sorcery. This group eventually settled on the witch's identity, took this information to the Kuyu villages, and hired some Kuyu men to murder the supposed witch and her family. These Kuyu men, though certainly motivated by money, saw nothing wrong with murdering this lady and her family; she is a witch, and witches must die. After dark, these men snuck into the village and surrounded her house. They set fire to the house with the entire family inside. The family tried to escape through the windows, doors, and roof. As soon as one of them ran, they were shot with multiple arrows by the awaiting Kuyu. Only one of the family members survived.
This entire horrific tale began with the false belief that someone must have cursed the older woman who died. Her death could not be because she was old or sick; instead, some sort of evil spirit must have been involved. And, of course, evil spirits act at the behest of witches.
NUKHU
Unreached People Group
PROGRESS: LEVEL 1—On-site Training
POPULATION: 9,000
DESCRIPTION:
- married women wear extravagant clothing
- live high in the mountains and are difficult to access
- at birth, all twins will be killed to appease the spirits
KAYMO
Unreached People Group
PROGRESS: LEVEL 1: On-site Training
POPULATION: 24,000
DESCRIPTION:
- are strongly impacted by war and conflict
- have been oppressed and persecuted
- multiple dialects that make translation difficult
KUYU
Unreached People Group
PROGRESS: LEVEL 2: Learning Majority Language
POPULATION: 1,200
DESCRIPTION:
- live on narrow ridges of mountains
- access to town and healthcare is an arduous two-day hike
- write letters with missionaries in nearby villages requesting the Gospel
JENTUBERI
Unreached People Group
PROGRESS: LEVEL 3: Learning Majority Language
POPULATION: 30,696
DESCRIPTION:
- the area is hard to access by vehicle
- language is a challenge to learn
- coffee, bananas & saccha inchi nuts are being introduced as a new crop
KAYKAR
Unreached People Group
PROGRESS: LEVEL 3: Learning Minority Language
POPULATION: 170,000
DESCRIPTION:
- live in multi-generation households
- have a high death rate and lower life expectancy
- resourceful and make many things from bamboo
MALIYALI
Unreached People Group
PROGRESS: LEVEL 5: Sharing the Gospel
POPULATION: 3,500
DESCRIPTION:
- unnoticed and untouched by the outside world
- live in the densest forest of a mountain range
- way of life has been unchanged by the pressures of external influence
WANTAKIA
Unreached People Group
PROGRESS: LEVEL 7: New Believers Making New Disciples
POPULATION: 10,000
DESCRIPTION:
- subsistence farmers with coffee as the only cash crop
- men hunt and trap tree kangaroos
- have some parts of the Bible translated into their own language
DINANGAT
Unreached People Group
PROGRESS: LEVEL 9: Indigenous Leaders Leading
POPULATION: 2,000
DESCRIPTION:
- no written language
- a collection of nine utterly remote villages
- perform rituals to protect crops from the spirit world
UPGs PRACTICING BUDDHISM
Unreached People Groups PRACTICING BUDDHISM
Some UPG names have been changed or omitted from this list to protect the people working with the Unreached.
PEOPLE GROUP*
PROGRESS
POPULATION
UPG DESCRIPTION
SHAMBALYG*
2
LEARNING MAJORITY LANGUAGE
2,275,000
ZHAU KU*
2
LEARNING MAJORITY LANGUAGE
554,000
N*
6
DISCIPLING NEW BELIEVERS
1,700
- children are needed at home and don't attend school
- many suffer from hunger and live in poverty
- due to hardships some children live in monasteries and become monks
BURYAT
8
EQUIPPING INDIGENOUS LEADERS
470,000
- trace lineage back to time of Genghis Khan's empire
- semi-nomadic people
- practices animal husbandry to survive harsh winters
FRONTLINE STORIES
Paawni grew up in a rural village. The closest road was a five-day walk. Her parents were very poor and had many children in the quest for a son to inherit their land. The difficulties of village life drove her parents to alcoholism. The future looked bleak for Paawni because education is non-existent for most village children. When she was seven, she came to The Children's Education & Discipleship program, which was her only opportunity to receive an education, where she also came to faith, and experienced God's love. Her family and the villagers did not understand why she had chosen to follow Jesus instead of embracing the traditional beliefs of their village. She was scolded and mocked, but, Paawni continued to follow Jesus faithfully, even though it meant facing many trials.
Upon graduation, Paawni returned to her village as a teacher. Over time, villagers began to see changes in Paawni and how God used her to bless them. She was grieved when both her parents died without proclaiming Christ, and she struggled with her other siblings and relatives rejecting her for her faith. But the Lord strengthened Paawni through these trials.
SHAMBALYG*
Unreached People Group
PROGRESS: LEVEL 2—LEARNING MAJORITY LANGUAGE
POPULATION: 554,000
ZHAU KU*
Unreached People Group
PROGRESS: LEVEL 2—LEARNING MAJORITY LANGUAGE
POPULATION: 554,000
N*
Unreached People Group
PROGRESS: LEVEL 6—DISCIPLING NEW BELIEVERS
POPULATION: 1,700
DESCRIPTION:
- children are needed at home and don't attend school
- many suffer from hunger and live in poverty
- due to hardships some children live in monasteries and become monks
BURYAT
Unreached People Group
PROGRESS: LEVEL 8—EQUIPPING INDIGENOUS LEADERS
POPULATION: 470,000
DESCRIPTION:
- trace lineage back to the time of Genghis Khan's empire
- semi-nomadic people
- practices animal husbandry to survive harsh winters
UPGs PRACTICING HINDUISM
Unreached People Groups PRACTICING HINDUISM
Some UPG names have been changed or omitted from this list to protect the people working with the Unreached.
PEOPLE GROUP*
PROGRESS
POPULATION
UPG DESCRIPTION
BALINESE
4
TRANSLATING SCRIPTURE
4,224,000
- artistic talents in painting, sculpting, carving, and dancing
- tourism is a main source of income
- very poor and struggle to keep kids in school
FRONTLINE STORIES
BALINESE
Hinduism teaches reincarnation, which states that whatever suffering you experience in this life is probably due to a wrong you committed in a past life.
In 2021, the Impact through the Care for Children project kept 176 students in school, helping Hindu children break free from the cycle of poor education. Since this program is led by eight national church planters, pastoring churches in the area, the families of these children are hearing the Gospel and seeing that God frees us from the consequences of our sins.
Dino is a young boy living in a remote village. His mom lamented, “Dino is a smart child, but as his mother, I feel guilty because I work a small job and can’t guarantee his future. As his parents, we can’t support him in his education.”
Families in Dino’s socio-economic bracket struggle to keep their children in school through grade nine. When kids do not continue their education, they are forced to enter the workforce prematurely; this can lead to many issues, including poverty and even human trafficking.
Fortunately, Dino is now able to attend The Care for Children program. Dino’s mom happily exclaims, “Now my child can go to school and learn. I hope with this program he can achieve the dream he wants.”
UPGs PRACTICING ISLAM
Unreached People Groups PRACTICING ISLAM
Some UPG names have been changed or omitted from this list to protect the people working with the Unreached.
PEOPLE GROUP*
PROGRESS
POPULATION
UPG DESCRIPTION
GRABTERI*
1
ON-SITE TRAINING
82,000
- sell sugar as a cash crop
- practice magic ceremonies in "folk" Islam
- Islamic leaders pushing for more traditional Islam
S*
2
LEARNING MAJORITY LANGUAGE
93,000
- only accessible by long boat ride
- 100% of the population is Muslim
- resources have been extracted from the island
ROKOBKA*
2
LEARNING MAJORITY LANGUAGE
110,000
- the most bio-diverse location on the planet
- live on islands only accessible by boat
- unemployment is rampant among people
SAGSO*
3
LEARNING MINORITY LANGUAGE
5,782,000
- they are well known for a banana-based dessert
- know for their traditional handicrafts
- practice traditional ceremonies of animal sacrifices
TUNISIAN ARABS
5
SHARING THE GOSPEL
11,019,000
- women can become politicians
- young people are becoming more secularized
- authorities work to stop the spread of the Gospel
SUDANESE REFUGEES
5
SHARING THE GOSPEL
5,000,000
- violence & war forces millions to flee their homeland
- Islam defines their cultural characteristics
- many seeking to start over in other countries
FRONTLINE STORIES
SUNDA H-REGION
Conversion of a Muslim to Christianity is not acceptable in many Muslim countries. Those who convert to Christianity are called 'apostates' and are subject to rejection by their families, social ostracism, and loss of employment. Sometimes their governments may well persecute, imprison, and kill them.
As a young man, Ryan had always been searching for something. He had experienced a mental health and spiritual warfare crisis in his late twenties that left him feeling lost and alone. In addition to his Muslim practices, Ryan even used talismans, objects which he thought could protect him from evil spirits.
Though it wasn't easy, Ryan learned about his identity in Christ through Christian discipleship and started to see a different life through Jesus.
After spending time away from his village where he was discipled, Ryan returned. Living out his faith helped lead his mother to Jesus. She had been highly resistant in the past, throwing the Bible across the room and screaming about how following Jesus was creating tension with neighbors. Now she is growing as a disciple and preparing to be baptized.
Pray for the Lord's protection, power, and grace to be poured out on this family. Pray for two other families that are meeting with them, creating a new house church fellowship in this area.
GRABTERI*
Unreached People Group
PROGRESS: LEVEL 1—On-site Training
POPULATION: 82,000
DESCRIPTION:
- sell sugar as a cash crop
- practice magic ceremonies in "folk" Islam
- Islamic leaders pushing for more traditional Islam
SAGSO*
Unreached People Group
PROGRESS: LEVEL 3—Learning Majority Language
POPULATION: 5,782,000
DESCRIPTION:
- they are well known for a banana-based dessert
- know for their traditional handicrafts
- practice traditional ceremonies of animal sacrifices
ROKOBKA*
Unreached People Group
PROGRESS: LEVEL 2—Learning Majority Language
POPULATION: 110,000
DESCRIPTION:
- the most bio-diverse location on the planet
- live on islands only accessible by boat
- unemployment is rampant among people
S*
Unreached People Group
PROGRESS: LEVEL 2—Learning Majority Language
POPULATION: 93,000
DESCRIPTION:
- only accessible by long boat ride
- 100% of the population is Muslim
- resources have been extracted from the island
TUNISIAN ARABS
Unreached People Group
PROGRESS: LEVEL 5—Sharing the Gospel
POPULATION: 11,019,000
DESCRIPTION:
- women can become politicians
- young people are becoming more secularized
- authorities work to stop the spread of the Gospel
SUDANESE REFUGEES
Unreached People Group
PROGRESS: LEVEL 5—Sharing the Gospel
POPULATION: 5,000,000
DESCRIPTION:
- violence & war forces millions to flee their homeland
- Islam defines their cultural characteristics
- many seeking to start over in other countries
SUNDA H-REGION
Unreached People Group
PROGRESS: LEVEL 6—Discipling New Believers
POPULATION: 6,607,372
DESCRIPTION:
- they are farmers
- have a high poverty rate
- seek harmony with the natural world
THE BLESS FUND
The BLESS Fund is a discretionary giving solution that provides you with a unique opportunity to invest in building healthy indigenous churches to support our mission of Reaching the Unreached.
As part of this kingdom-building community, you are providing much-needed funding to share the Gospel by addressing both the spiritual and the physical needs of Unreached people groups.
Through your support, the BLESS fund will finance the Unreached People Groups in our portfolio on a semi-annual basis. It will also support additional funding for principal projects within the selected UPGs at the discretion of the BLESS board.
FINANCIAL TRANSPARENCY
Every people group on earth has a belief system that shapes how they see the world. Most are based on works and not faith, shame and not grace, and futility, not eternal life.
The Christian faith offers a personal relationship with a living God and salvation based on grace and not works, which starkly contrasts the only reality many in the world have known.
2021-2022 SNAPSHOT*
*Fiscal year ends March 31
**72% Mission Partner grants and 18% mobilization