The Forgotten People Group
There is a people group that consisted of about 15% of the world's population in 2001, making them as large as the Muslim and Hindu people groups. Estimates are that this group will double each decade! A large percentage of the people that make up this group are more receptive to the Gospel than both Muslims and Hindus and yet they have somehow fallen through the cracks of the church's global mission. In fact, there is typically not even a distinct strategy in place to evangelize them. At least, that is the premise of Viv Grigg in his book Cry of the Urban Poor .
According to Grigg the squatters among the urban poor in the majority world make up this people group. They share a common economic system and history. They have universal cultural and religious characteristics. However, being Animists they are generally more responsive to the Gospel than people who practice high religions; like Muslims and Hindus.
Why has one of the largest and most responsive people groups in the world fallen through the cracks of global evangelism? Part of the problem has been in the shift of mission focus. Areas like Latin America have been pronounced reached and resources have been diverted to other regions. However, in much of the majority world the small evangelical church that exists has no vision for reaching the slum dwellers. Limited resources are not allocated nor are workers sent into the slums. The reasons for this are many; of which financial, cultural, and class issues are just a few.
I want to be clear, in no way am I advocating a reduction in resources (financial or human) among the 10/40 window or the Muslim and Hindu people groups. We need more not less! However, can we not at the same time become advocates for 15% of the world's population, especially when they are generally more receptive? Shouldn't missions leaders, and prominent pastors who are so vocal on behalf of the nations work to develop and set in motion a comprehensive plan for reaching these people? Shouldn't we come alongside our brothers and sisters in the majority world and assist them in developing and implementing a plan to reach the urban squatters among their own people? This is exactly what LBM is doing. We have a plan in place and are actively working alongside our majority world brothers to plant churches among urban squatters.
According to Grigg the squatters among the urban poor in the majority world make up this people group. They share a common economic system and history. They have universal cultural and religious characteristics. However, being Animists they are generally more responsive to the Gospel than people who practice high religions; like Muslims and Hindus.
Why has one of the largest and most responsive people groups in the world fallen through the cracks of global evangelism? Part of the problem has been in the shift of mission focus. Areas like Latin America have been pronounced reached and resources have been diverted to other regions. However, in much of the majority world the small evangelical church that exists has no vision for reaching the slum dwellers. Limited resources are not allocated nor are workers sent into the slums. The reasons for this are many; of which financial, cultural, and class issues are just a few.
I want to be clear, in no way am I advocating a reduction in resources (financial or human) among the 10/40 window or the Muslim and Hindu people groups. We need more not less! However, can we not at the same time become advocates for 15% of the world's population, especially when they are generally more receptive? Shouldn't missions leaders, and prominent pastors who are so vocal on behalf of the nations work to develop and set in motion a comprehensive plan for reaching these people? Shouldn't we come alongside our brothers and sisters in the majority world and assist them in developing and implementing a plan to reach the urban squatters among their own people? This is exactly what LBM is doing. We have a plan in place and are actively working alongside our majority world brothers to plant churches among urban squatters.
Posted by Patrick at 8/21/2010 9:56 AM 
Categories: General
Tags: Needy hunger mission trip Latin America missional poor Jesus feeding ministry missions Christ homeless poor and needy world missions church planting whole Gospel world poverty global missions world hunger South America poverty global poverty Gospel short term missions share Christmas Brazil baptism Living Bread
Categories: General
Tags: Needy hunger mission trip Latin America missional poor Jesus feeding ministry missions Christ homeless poor and needy world missions church planting whole Gospel world poverty global missions world hunger South America poverty global poverty Gospel short term missions share Christmas Brazil baptism Living Bread
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