How can we ensure there is a church within walking distance of everyone in the world?

We must be patient. We must be steadfast. Most importantly, we must pray.

Thousands of indigenous people groups exist around the world, each with their own unique history and culture. While some have heard the Gospel, there is still much work needing to be done. Many of these people face persecution, especially those who have converted to Christianity. A strong church provides hope, safety and support for these new Christians, and spreads the Gospel to others.

As the Global Church Developer, our mission is to equip our indigenous partners with resources they need to plant churches, disciple believers and provide refuge. Without you, we could not accomplish that mission. Each month, we highlight some of those groups that may be blessed by ICM and our partners.

Please take time each month to pray for them as our work continues, and reflect on your own spiritual journey with the Lord. We pray each month’s post is a blessing to you. We thank you for your endless support.

All Scripture references come from the New Living Translation (NLT). Joshua Project used for Profile resource and stats.

People Within Reach: LISU

Located in China and Bangladesh

Originating in eastern Tibet, the Lisu people have since migrated to other areas of Southeast Asia due to oppression by greedy governments seeking to exploit them. As a result of displacement and mistreatment by government authorities, the Lisu people fell into a dark place of alcoholism and gambling addiction.

Thankfully, in the early 1900s and 1940s, several missionaries sought to bring the love of Christ into the hearts of the Lisu people. For hundreds of years, before these missionaries arrived, the Lisu followed an animistic belief system. They split into about 58 “clans,” where each clan name was derived from an animal or plant. Today, there are approximately 300,000 Lisu Christians in China, but several other Lisu groups have spread out to Thailand and India.

Lisu At a Glance

Population: 1.3 million
Language: Lisu
Main Religion: Christianity
Christian: 80%*

Reflection Questions

Think of a time in your life that was particularly difficult or stressful.

• How did you get through this time? Did you lean on friends and family?
• How was your prayer life during that time?

Remember and reflect on the fact that God never leaves you or forsakes you during tough times, rather, He is there to comfort you.

Prayer Requests

• Pray for the work that still needs to be done to reach the rest of the Lisu people.
• Pray for the Lisu people, that as minorities, they would still flourish in the countries they reside in.
• Pray that they would be freed from the bondage of alcoholism and gambling.
• Pray that the existing Lisu Christians would be able to spread the Gospel to neighboring people groups.

He will say, “Build up, build up, prepare the way! Remove the stumbling-block out of the way of my people.”— Isaiah 57:14