The Mien are descendants of a group of Chinese who were once the Emperor’s special servants back in the days of the Chinese dynasties. Presently, they are spread throughout Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and Western China. Although they are basically Chinese and most of them can read it, they have many of their own traditions and spirit ceremonies and culture. A previous AFM Mien project in Thailand provides research and curriculum and materials developed for this people group. Workers needed: Two units willing to use a tent-making approach to reach these people, as they and their government are eager to have business opportunities made available.

Nearly 300,000 polytheistic Western Nasu populate the western Yunnan province. Deities and ghosts are believed to control their lives and they are steeped in Shamanism, Animism, and Ancestor worship. Ninety-four per cent have never heard the Gospel message or even the name of Jesus. Workers Needed: Two families to go to Kunming, the capital of Yunnan Province to learn Chinese and then the target language of Western Nasu before moving into their territory.

The Yao Zhuang are China’s largest minority ethnic group and the largest people group without the Scriptures in their language. Most follow a traditional animist faith known as Moism, which includes elements of ancestor worship. Zhuang folk stories often take the form of songs. Workers Needed: Two units to study the language and culture (student visas are the most viable way to stay in the country for a long time), teach English, or translate the Scriptures while planting the church among China’s largest minority ethnic group.

The friendly, easy-going, large-hearted Goans are mainly fishermen, though many also own or operate hotels, beach resorts, restaurants, etc. in one of the most beautiful, unspoiled vacation spots in the world. Many of them speak Portuguese but their mother tongue is Konkani. Workers Needed: One unit who is creative and entrepreneurial in their outreach to these Konkani speakers with health care, tourist skills, or graphic arts and promotions.

Tibetans have been living in tight knit communities in India for over 50 years. Welcoming towards Westerners but not towards the Gospel, these Tibetan Buddhists practice both polygamy and polyandry and are steeped in the occult which involves much demonic bondage and spirit appeasement. They are clustered in the Northwest of India near the foothills of the Himalayas where the Dalai Lama lives. Workers Needed: Two units to live in Dharmasala to plant the church and train national workers in other areas. Will need to work as an NGO employee, a student, and ESL teacher, or another occupation acceptable to the government and the locals.

The Yadav people make up almost 1 per cent of all humanity and number in the millions as India’s third largest unreached people group and the fifth largest in the world. Forty-seven of the world’s top 100 unreached people groups can be found in the state of Bihar where the dairy-farming, cow-herding Yadavs live. Workers Needed: Two units with a variety of gifts and talents to serve among the Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, and Muslims found in this people group.

Among these 126 million people, fewer than one per cent of Japanese are Christian. Though Shintoism and Buddhism are the official religions, many people have become secular, particularly among the younger generation, who are often unemployed and continue to live at home, placing a burden on the government. Workers Needed: Two units to minister to this wealthy, secular population where suicide is the leading cause of death for people under thirty.

The overwhelming majority of the more than 50 million people of Myanmar are members of the Bamar people group. The Bamar live primarily in the fertile delta between the Irrawaddy and Salween Rivers of this country formerly known as Burma. This people group practices Theravada Buddhism mingled with folk animism and live very much in fear of spirits whom they attempt to appease. Less than one percent of the Bamar are Christian. Workers Needed: Two units with personal evangelism, health care, or English language teaching skills.

People in this region of Thailand (Isaan) live simple agricultural lives. Many of them combine Buddhist beliefs with folk religion and do things to honor deceased loved ones and appease spirits. Many ancient ruins going back to the Khmer dynasty of the past dot the landscape in this dry, humid area.
One more unit is needed in this project.

Located on the Mekong river, Nongkhai is less than 20 miles from Laos. It is known for the infamous “Naga fireballs” that appear to supernaturally shoot up from the river during the first full moon in October. The people of Nongkhai, like all of Thailand, are primarily Buddhist. Hindu influences are also seen in this area.
One more unit is needed in this project.

Toggle ContentSouthern Thailand, located on the Malay Peninsula and with an area of around 27,000 square miles, is a little larger than West Virginia. The western part has steep coasts, while river plains dominate the east side. It is a growing region with a population of more than 9 million. With a more tropical climate, it is home to many of Thailand’s pristine beaches and resorts. This narrow landmass is also home to many fishing communities. There has been less outreach to the Southern Thai people than those of other Thai regions.
One more unit is needed in this project.

At one time, the Tai-Kadai* people had their own kingdom. During the 19th century, they were captured by a neighboring country, and about half their population was relocated. In the 20th century, their land became some of the most heavily bombed real estate on the planet. Today the Tai-Kadai number about 111,000 in Southeast Asia. The Tai-Kadai are Buddhist, but they are also heavily influenced by animism. They believe in “guardian spirits” and “locality spirits,” which are identified with different levels of society. They believe that one must please these spirits to avoid curses and receive blessings.
One more unit is needed in this project.

Tucked between Russia and Turkey, the country of Georgia boasts a population said to descend from the great grandson of the biblical Japheth. Nearly 84% of its 4 million people practice Eastern Orthodoxy and are characterized by their hospitable and social graces, giving great importance to food and drink. Workers Needed: One unit needed to establish centers of influence in urban environments where English language and lifestyle classes, both in health and in spirituality can be offered.

Approximately 75% of the nearly five million people in Ireland claim to be Roman Catholics. Their heritage also includes much pain in the form of violent conflicts and emotional and physical abuse at the hands of their religious leaders over the years. There are over 4.5 million Catholics in Ireland. They have suffered through years of discrimination and persecution from Protestants in Northern Ireland. Although a peace agreement was reached over 2 decades ago there are still tensions.  Drowning their griefs in the pubs is a socially acceptable way of handling their difficulties, but it tears at the fabric of their society. The Irish are ready to be loved and find hope. Workers Needed: Two units from the European Union to join the work being done through exercise classes, depression recovery meetings, supper clubs, leadership seminars, Pathfinders, Bible study groups, counseling, and/or a center of influence.

The Irish of Northern Ireland are mostly Protestant and identify with the United Kingdom, to which they belong since the 1921 split from the Republic of Ireland. As in other western countries, the population gravitates towards sports and folk music. 48 percent of the population of Northern Ireland consider themselves to be Protestant. People today still suffer the effects of the decades long religious tensions between the north and south. Today, 90 percent of schools are still segregated by religion.  Workers Needed: Two units from the EU to support and build up a very small SDA group looking for encouragement and strong leadership.

With a population of 5 million, only one in 10,000 are SDAs (mostly immigrants and not native Scots) and few Scots have even heard of Seventh-day Adventists. The predominant religion is Church of Scotland, though many are now post-Christians/Atheists and have low receptivity to Christianity. The proposed project location is Inverness where three SDA families live. Workers Needed: Two units from the EU who are active lay persons or Bible workers with soul-winning experience & who could combine health evangelism with spiritual efforts.

Turkey is the land where the early church made much of its progress in the first and second centuries. The seven churches in Revelation are located in this country. Today there are fewer than 0.01 percent Christians. With its population of over 76 million, this makes Turkey one of the least reached countries on earth. Islam is the predominant religion of this society, while secularism still holds a stronghold in the ruling elite. Despite its constitution guaranteeing religious freedom, Christians are frequently persecuted. Further, public meetings, such as church services require great efforts to gain approval from the government, and public proselytizing is prohibited.
One more unit is needed. 

Our project located in Yerevan will be the hub of 50,000 Iranians, mostly Shi’a Muslims, who live and work in Armenia. Because Iranians in Iran are becoming disillusioned with the ruling regime and dissatisfied with Islam, there is a growing underground house-church movement developing and groups are traveling to Yerevan for a few weeks at a time to learn about Jesus Christ before returning to their country. Workers Needed: One unit to labor among Iranians who live long-term in Armenia as well as to serve those who come from Iran to hear the Gospel then return to Iran to worship as best they can. There is also a need for English language lessons to be offered as a gateway to greater trade and business opportunities for Iranians.

The Levantine Arab peoples originated in the countries which form a land bridge from Africa to Eastern Europe, encompassing today’s countries of Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Israel and the territories of Palestine. Today, 95 percent of the people practice Islam. However, prior to the early 7th century, Christianity was the religion of most of the ancestors of the Levantine Arabs and there are still remnants of Christian groups living in some areas. From the earliest of times, the people have shown marked hospitality and, today, this land welcomes both refugees from neighboring countries experiencing conflict and Christians fleeing persecution.
One unit is needed.