Lost and Unreached: What’s the difference?

It might seem like a minor distinction to separate "lost" from "unreached," but it's a crucial one.

Who are the Unreached?

In a previous discussion, we explored the concept of unreached peoples—identifying who they are and what it practically means to be unreached. We defined unreached as "people groups among whom there is no indigenous community of believing Christians able to engage the people group with church planting."

They lack access to the gospel.

This is crucial; it explains why we don't equate unreached people worldwide with those who might be unreached in our workplaces. That's not accurate. Why? Because they have access to the gospel through you! You are their connection to the gospel!

Who are the Lost?

The individuals who do not know Christ at your workplace are considered lost. For their salvation, they must respond to the gospel with repentance and faith. However, because you and other Christians are in their lives, they are not considered unreached.

Differentiating Between Lost and Unreached

While an individual cannot be more or less lost (you either know Jesus or you don't), they can have varying degrees of access to the gospel. This is why we place such emphasis on UPGs.

We should always be mindful of the lost, keeping eternity in view and sharing the good news. However, with over 6,500 UPGs comprising at least 2 billion individuals... it's clear that the unreached require our immediate attention.