Reaching
The Never Reached
Don’t go alone. Start a conversation with missionaries on the ground, and begin your journey.
Our MISSION: The Never Reached
Asia Pacific Missions is a division of the Assemblies of God World Missions (AGWM) working in Asia and in the Pacific islands, under the leadership of Regional Director Jeff Hartensveld. From 1914 to the present, we have been at the forefront of planting, growing, resourcing and missionizing the local, indigenous church. Our goal is to see communities of Christ-followers established anywhere the church is not.
Today, in the Asia Pacific region, there are over 400 missionary workers laboring in 41 countries and territories, serving over 31,000 churches and outstations with a total worshiping population of more than six million people.
And yet, still, over 937 million people—95% of the region’s population—remain spiritually lost. There are still countless places in Asia Pacific where the name of Jesus has never been spoken, the gospel has never reached, and the church has never been planted — in
history. Our portion consists of 26 Never Reached people groups spread across the region. We are planting the church of Jesus where Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, and Animism have been spiritual strongholds for millennia. By faith, we press boldly forward, claiming a new harvest among the countless who have still not heard.
They have waited long enough.
Our Role
Centuries have passed, and millions in this region are still waiting to hear the gospel for the first time. This should concern all of us. We are on mission, not just to do maintenance ministry, but to complete the Great Commission. Reaching the Never Reached is our responsibility together. Asia Pacific Missions is uniquely positioned in Asia and the Pacific to bring the gospel to peoples and places which, since the time of Christ, are still waiting to hear.
We have committed ourselves to the following four objectives:
1. Prayer and Fasting. The first Friday of every month, we pray and fast specifically for the Never Reached.
2. Portion. Our region has 1583 Never Reached people groups. Instead of trying to reach them all at once and in turn reaching none, we commit to a focused, intentional effort to reach a portion.
3. Paradigm. We commit to never go alone. We desire to bring host (national) believers with us as we visit, make apostolic journeys to, or live among the Never Reached.
4. Placement. We commit to do everything in our power within the next five years to see a community of indigenous believers raised up in each of these people groups.
Never Reached People
Reaching the Never Reached is who we are and what we do as a region. Currently, we are working specifically with 26 Never Reached groups in eight countries. We seek to engage these communities is through our Key Ministry Areas
Indonesia: Pasemah, Kangean, Bakumpai, Sula, Dampelas, Banjar, Java Pesisir Lor, and Tugutil
Japan: Japanese
Laos: Lao Phuan and Lao Pong
Myanmar: Bamar
Philippines: Tausug, Maranao, Magindano, Iranun, Kalagan, Badjao
Thailand: southern Thai Muslims, Isaan Thai, ethnic Thai Buddhists, southern Burmese, and ethnic Chinese Thai
Vanuatu: Middle Bush tribes
Vietnam: Tay (northern Vietnam) and Khmer (southern Vietnam)
We believe Jesus when he said, “And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” (Matt. 24:14 ESV)
Therefore, we can no longer delay to carry the gift of the gospel to the furthest places of the Earth. We will stop at nothing to plant the church where no believer has ever stepped foot, and empowered by the Holy Spirit, Reach the Never Reached of Asia Pacific.