This could be the year that Finishing the Task (the network) finishes its current list of unengaged and unreached peoples. Of course, maybe they’ll then come out with a new list of more granular people groups.
Finishing the Task (FTT) is an association of mission agencies and churches who want to see reproducing churches planted among every people group in the world. In 2006, FTT identified 639 unreached, unengaged people groups with populations above 100,000. Since then, church planting is now reported in over 555 of these original people groups. Once that list became complete, they began looking at smaller groups. They’re currently focused on groups of 10,000 or above.
FTT is one of the only networks that maintains a kind of “census” on the number of known workers laboring in each particular people group. By doing so, they can estimate the relative likelihood that any unreached group will have better access to the Good News.
If all of this sounds objective and engineering-like, it’s actually not. There are so many subjective factors involved, not the least of which are a) differences in receptivity among groups, b) differences in strategy by those onsite, and c) level of reporting (and the impact of security) that each network maintains.
Still, we believe that FTT’s over all impact is positive in that it a) gets news out about unreached peoples, b) focuses on agencies and churches and their need to zero in on individual groups rather than become overwhelmed by a world in need.
This year, FTT’s annual meeting will be a bit different. In the past, it has been rather hush-hush and, in some ways, exclusive. You pretty much had to have an invitation — or at least a referral. But this year, the meeting is open. You can register and come regardless of your background or experience. In fact, FTT hopes you WILL. The goal of this three-day event is to help you, your church or organization take concrete steps in engaging a people group with the gospel. Want to learn more or sign up? Visit…
http://www.finishingthetask.com/events.html
Cost is just $125 (if you register before May 15th). The conference starts at 7:30am on Dec. 2nd and ends at 5pm on Dec. 4th. It takes place at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest (south of L.A.). Sign up today — and please let them know you heard about it on Brigada. Brigada will be there — we hope you will be too.
Correction: Early registration is available through November 14th.