Questions to Pray Through

A couple of the affinity group staffs (IMB of the SBC) have delineated steps to guide groups through the process of Embracing a UUPG (unengaged unreached people group).  In general, most of the groups suggest some version like the following:

• Step 1 Expose. Learn more about this global initiative to Embrace the 3800 unengaged, unreached people groups.
• Step 2 Explore. Learn about specific, high priority unengaged, unreached people groups that your church feels should be explored more in depth for a possible commitment.
• Step 3 Educate. Attend Embrace Training workshops in the USA and participate in additional trainings on the field.
• Step 4 Engage. Your church Embraces an unengaged and unreached people group as part of your vision to reach "the uttermost parts of the earth."

Some websites for the affinity groups list pertinent questions for individuals, groups, and churches to ask themselves as they seek the Lord's will about Embracing a people group:

• Do we feel drawn to a people of a specific religious background? (Islam, Animistic, Buddhist, etc.)
• Does the size of the people group make a difference?
• Is there a specific geographic area we feel led to explore?
• How remote is the UUPG? How long will it take in travel time to get to where this UUPG is located?
• Is it strenuous to get to this location?
• Are there potential dangers to consider? (bad roads and terrain, good medical facilities are 3 days away, malaria area)
• Are risk and location too limiting for our church to commit to actively engage in reaching a particular UUPG?
• Does the church or our church members have the financial means to commit to extending the church mission field to this location?
• Can church members make extended time commitments to travel to this location?
• Have we considered the pros and cons to choosing a UUPG spread out over a large geographic area or are we better equipped to take on a UUPG concentrated in a geographic location?
• Do we have anyone in the church that may be able to assist linguistically with any UUPGs?
• Do we have churches members that may be able to bring technical skills or expertise that would in particular benefit reaching a particular type of UUPG (for example, agriculture experts to assist with rural UUPGS that are mainly farmers, or medical workers who can assist with a UUPG that has a high infant mortality rate)?

It has been left unsaid that all these matters are prayer concerns.  How we would answer them is not as important as the answers the Lord gives us as we stand or kneel before Him seeking His direction and wisdom.  As always, it is best to take our questions to the Father.

Choose some of these questions and pray about them today.