Now, I am by no means some theological scholar here.
I have A LOT of work to do in terms of learning and getting facts straight and all that jazz.
However, something that has recently been jumping in front of me time and time again is that there are SO many people out there who have not heard the name Jesus.
As a Westerner who sees this name on Instagram posts, on billboards, and on picket signs, I was simply SHOOK at the thought of this.
Whether or not you believe in God, this is pretty Earth-shattering.
Now, there is a fine line between reached and unreached. If one person goes and tells someone about some guy named Jesus to one person who is part of an unreached community, does that mean that they are now reached?
I'm sure you could easily connect the dots and realize that this is something that is difficult to keep track of.
So truly, we don't actually know how many are out there that have never been exposed to the gospel.
However, despite this, some make the effort anyway and we do get a glimpse at who has heard and who hasn't.
According to, The Joshua Project, there are 3.14 BILLION people that are considered unreached.
HUH? That is A LOT of human beings if you ask me.
If you are a believer, you have probably been exposed to the verse in Matthew that says, "Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28-19-20 NIV)
Like I said earlier, I am no professional Bible scholar (unfortunately, we'll work on that, ok?), yet something I have gotten the chance to hear from a few of my professional Bible scholar pals is that THIS piece of scripture does not just mean, "GO", but rather "As you are going".
This means that when you are at work as a believer, MAKE DISCIPLES. As you are at school as a believer, MAKE DISCIPLES.
Also, notice the all nations part, wooo wooo. So, not only as you go, but as you go global yourself, or as you support those who do, make DISCIPLES.
I don't know if you have realized that word I keep on emphasizing here *cough cough* DISCIPLES*.
Yes, see how scripture does not say, "GO AND SHOVE A BIBLE DOWN SOMEONE'S THROAT WHO DOES NOT KNOW YOU AT ALL".
We are called, as believers, to make disciples as we go. We are called to stick by those who might have never heard the name Jesus and comfort them and mentor them along the way.
They are going to face obstacles and ALL kinds of persecution.
If you have been completely shocked by the idea of people never hearing the name Jesus, I am with you and I hear you. Pray that God would send the right ones their way. Pray that they would know that there is hope beyond this life. Pray for someone to come alongside them and teach them and that they would tell their friends about this Jesus guy too.
