Rick Warren Urges Evangelicals to Share Gospel to the Unreached

The Alliance of Evangelistic Ministries backed by Christian leaders, including pastor and author Rick Warren, have designated May 15 as the International Day for the Unreached. The one-day event aims to reach out to more than 2 billion people around the world who have yet to hear the Gospel.
 
"With more than 2 billion people who haven't had a chance to meet Jesus, it's time for the Body of Christ to take a radical stand and say, 'This has to end in our generation.' Join me in committing to pray, give, go, and advocate for those who need to know Christ by participating in the International Day for the Unreached."
 
The announcement came this week at the annual National Religious Broadcasters convention in Nashville, Tennessee. 
 
The Day for the Unreached will be sponsored by the Alliance for the Unreached, a group that includes Reach Beyond, Bibles For The World, Operation Mobilization, The Seed Company and Missio Nexus.
 
"In America, it's easy to get comfortable and complacent. But we want to remind people that there are literally billions of people around the globe in desperate need of the good news of Jesus, but have never heard His name or story. We're called to bring it to them," Wayne Pederson, president of Reach Beyond, said in a statement.
 
Marvin J. Newell, senior vice president of Missio Nexus, said that during this time of religious, political and cultural opposition, sharing the Gospel is crucial.
 
"The International Day for the Unreached comes at a time when Europe is crowded with refugees from countries without a Christian heritage, when the comfort and hope offered by the gospel would be especially appreciated," Newell said.
 
Evangelism is on the decline in North America, a Barna group study reports. Only half (52%) of born again Christians actually shared the Gospel at least once this past year to someone with different beliefs.

Some American churches may be losing the zeal for foreign missions as well.
 
George Verwer, founder of Operation Mobilization, said "the birth of [Operation Mobilization] in the late 1950s stemmed from the lack of the Gospel in places like Turkey, Iraq, Afghanistan and other unreached nations. Today, we have yet to meet our goal to spread the Gospel to all nations and peoples, but I pray the next generation will do better. This event is a mega step in the right direction."
 
The International Day for the Unreached will be celebrated on Pentecost, which marks the descent of the Holy Spirit on the Church, equipping them to go out and spread the Gospel throughout the Earth.
 
The website provides information for the event and calls churches, individuals and media outlets to reach the unreached with the good news of Jesus Christ.
 
"Imagine a revived movement of believers reaching the hardest corners of the earth for Christ until all have heard the only message that can give lasting hope," the website states.