Why Reaching the Unreached is Important

“Jesus loves me, this I know,
“For the Bible tells me so;
“Little ones to Him belong;
“They are weak, but He is strong.

“Yes, Jesus loves me!
“Yes, Jesus loves me!
“Yes, Jesus loves me!
“The Bible tells me so.”

Many of you reading this may have known this song since your early days in vacation bible school. You may even remember the hand motions that go along with it. The message is clear: I know Jesus loves me because the Bible told me so. I know that Jesus died for my sins, and now I will live for Him (1 John 4:7-16).

As Christians, we take for granted that we know and can teach our children and grandchildren, nieces and nephews, neighbors and other children this song. We can show them the places in the Bible that prove Jesus’ love for us. However, there are thousands of unreached people groups all over the world that have never heard of the name Jesus, much less have access to a Bible.

These people groups live in areas where Christians are persecuted for their beliefs or where it is difficult for others to reach them because they live in remote, rural regions.

“How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’” -Romans 10:14-15

Why is reaching the unreached important? Why should we care that unreached people groups don’t have a way to hear the gospel?

We are living in a defining moment. We've been trusted by our Savior with a desperate mission. When you are in relationship with Jesus, it is indicative of a reciprocal relationship. You place your trust in Him and Him alone. He trusts you to spread the good news to others. Not just locally where you are comfortable. Not only where it is safe. Not only in places where His name is known but unaccepted. But in places where people cannot call on Him, they cannot depend on Him, and they cannot glorify Him because they do not know of Him.

We are responsible for carrying the message of Jesus’ love to the nations, so that all may sing:

“Jesus loves me, this I know … .”

“For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!” -1 Corinthians 9:16

To learn more, check out East-West's guide to unreached people groups.