Latest Post

Update from Thailand

June 30th, 2011

Chelsea B, who has contributed to this blog some, is currently on a two month mission trip to Thailand - which happens to be located in the 10/40 window. Here is a post from her blog about what her experience has been so far.. So Beautiful Wow, my heart is getting attached to these people Thailand! So strange since I have only been here like a week and a half but these people are SOO relational. and so beautiful, how can one not grow to love their habits and way of life? Last week we taught many English classes in the local school. It was draining, but each day we developed precious relationships with the children so it was all worth it. the early mornings, long repetitive classes, schedule changes! Tomorrow is our last day there and it is bittersweet! We got so many love letters from them filled with hearts and smiles. But this week was more spontaneous. Our transportation has been breaking down so that has been tricky. but so adventurous at the same time. On Tuesday we[...]

Welcome to the 10/40 Window Blog!

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. Matthew 28:19-20, ESV

Our purpose is threefold:

  1. Raise awareness for strategic missions in the 10/40 window
  2. Alert to prayer needs for intercession opportunity
  3. Promote financial partnership with indigenous missionaries who serve in the 10/40 window

What is the 10/40 Window?

A map of the 10/40 window

The 10/40 window represents the countries inside the 10° and 40° north latitude that are known for a high concentrations of unreached people groups (UPG). An UPG is an ethnic group of people that are either completely or primarily inaccessible to the gospel. According to the Joshua Project, an organization devoted to researching mission statistics, approximately 4.43 billion individuals compose 8,811 UPGs and make up the 10/40 window. This is about 97% of all the UPGs – in the same area! Learn more about the 10/40 Window here.

The Facts

As you can see, there is still a large need for strategic missions in these unreached areas. The 10/40 window needs to be the target of our cross-cultural evangelism efforts. However, cultural, financial, language and governmental barriers hinder the effectiveness that the traditional western missionary method provides.

  • Cultural – This includes a nation’s customs, habits, native beliefs, and values. If a western missionary is not first well versed in the cultural aspects of the UPG they plan to minister, they actually can cause more harm than good by potentially offending the nationals
  • Financial – It is more expensive to send a western missionary than to send an indigenous one. According to Gospel for Asia (GFA), yearly average costs reach as high as $75,000! whereas the latter only needs about $2,000 – $3,000 to survive. Westerners also have a higher standard of living that if implemented in country, bring about a “division” of status and separates them from the very people they are trying to reach.
  • Language – Obviously you can only be as effective as you are able to communicate to a national. Romans 10:17 says “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” Inability to posses verbal and nonverbal communication greatly lowers the possibility for success.
  • Governmental – According to GFA, 85% of the countries located within the 10/40 window are legally closed to the entrance and spread of the gospel. While that does not stop our efforts, it greatly reduces the potential impact, if that is the only way missions is possible.

The Solution

Indigenous (national) missionaries are therefore the most effective solution to reaching the lost in the 10/40 window. They are familiar with the cultural standards, know the language, and can live at the same level of the people they are seeking to reach (normally poverty). Furthermore, Christianity will not be seen in the eyes of the nationals as “Westernized” religion, but truly their own beliefs.

Strategic Missions

And thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else’s foundation, but as it is written, “Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand.” Romans 15:20, ESV

If you were attacked by a lion and only had one bullet to defend yourself, where would you aim… the feet? its tail? the gut? would you not employ your one chance at that which would inflict the most damage? (lungs, heart, head, etc).

The same is true with missions. We need to devote our time, talents, and treasure to that which will bring about the most impact for the gospel.

We’ve seen that the 10/40 window is where the greatest need is, and the barriers that keep the traditional missions methods from being effective. However, the people who are able to make the most effective impact (indigenous missionaries) are no better off than the impoverished people groups they seek to reach. They legitimately need our support to make our resources invested in the most effective missions.

However, foreign giving statistics show quite the opposite. According to the Joshua Project,

  • 87% is allocated to missions in already Christian groups
  • 12% is allocated to groups within reach, but haven’t responded
  • 1% is allocated to unreached people groups

Going back the analogy of the lion, this is the equivalent of focusing the majority of your efforts on attacking its tail in order to kill it.

If you do not see a problem with this, you may need to rethink your position on fulfilling the Great Commission. We should devoting at least the majority of our funds to missions within the 10/40 window. On this blog, you’ll get information of organizations and opportunities that will enable you to be a vital part of strategic missions endeavorers.

Exceptions

Am I insinuating that only the 10/40 window should be ministered to, and only by nationals? ABSOLUTELY NOT! (sorry for the emphasis).

First, just because a group has received the gospel, does not mean we check them off and move on. Using Paul as an example, he would plant churches and then continue to minister and follow up with them. There is definitely a need to cultivate those places that are reached (including the West). My point is that as a default, we need to emphasize on those areas that have not even heard yet. Furthermore, if there is no already reached group within proximity to the UPG, missionaries will have to come from another country (though not just limited to America). This was the model of William Carey and Hudson Taylor. However, once the “coast” has been reached, expansion can continue with the aid of nationals.

Second, while in most cases it makes the most financial and strategic sense to utilize indigenous missionaries to carry on the flame, this is not the rule. Oftentimes it is very effective for Western missionaries that posses a certain trade, skill, or tool to serve as overseas missionaries. Examples of this include businessmen, English teachers, politicians, educators, “tentmakers,” and humanitarian sponsors, to name a few. The point is that God can use anyone to achieve His purposes – but we must not be to proud to not allow other to step up to the plate if that is more efficient.

Thank you for visiting! Please look around the site, comment on some posts, and continue to support missions in the 10/40 window.

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