Right now, more than 3 billion people—about 40% of the world’s population—are considered unreached. These are individuals with no access to the Gospel—no Bibles in their language, no local churches, and often not even a single believer nearby to share the hope of the gospel. Most will be born, live, and die without ever hearing the name of Jesus.
Yet the way global Christian resources are distributed tells a sobering story. Each year, about $700 billion is given to Christian causes—but only 6.4% of that goes toward any kind of missions work.
And of that missions giving, just 1% reaches the unreached.
The missionary statistics reveal the same imbalance. Of the 400,000 missionaries being sent around the world today, 72% go to places where the Church is already established. 25% are sent to regions with some Gospel access but low response. Unbelievably,
only 3% of missionaries are going to the people with NO ACCESS AT ALL.
This means that every single missionary is responsible for sharing the gospel with ~266,667 unreached people! Imagine a people group with a population of 1 million—a common size in unreached areas. At that ratio, this entire group would have only 3 or 4 missionaries—if any at all—working to reach them.
The Great Imbalance is more than a number—it’s the ache of entire nations still untouched by the Gospel. It’s in these hard-to-reach places that Activate Global is called to serve. Not sometimes. Not occasionally. But always and only.
Activate’s Response: Sustainable Solutions for the Ones Still Waiting
At Activate Global, this imbalance doesn’t just grieve us—it shapes our entire direction. We give 100% of our focus to the billions of unreached people who receive only 1% of the funding and 3% of the workers, because we believe every person deserves the chance to hear. And how we respond matters just as much as where we go. That’s why our approach is simple, intentional, and built to last:
- We plant sustainable churches among the unreached.
- We don’t drop in for short-term impact. We train and walk alongside local leaders who can multiply house churches within their own cultures and communities—long after we’re gone.
- We equip disciple-makers through proven, reproducible training. We believe disciple-making movements (DMMs) are the key to long-term transformation. We provide tools, coaching, and mentorship to leaders on the ground, so they can reach others in a way that’s locally owned and Spirit-led.
- We launch Kingdom businesses to fuel the mission sustainably. In many places, church planters face economic hardship or persecution that makes traditional ministry impossible. By starting small, scalable businesses, they gain a platform for both provision and mission—earning trust in their communities while spreading the Gospel through everyday work.
This model ensures that the Gospel doesn’t just arrive, but takes root. It empowers local believers, avoids unhealthy dependency, and fosters real multiplication
Barriers to the Gospel, and How We Respond
If over 3 billion people still wait to hear the name of Jesus, we have to ask: Why?
The Great Commission calls us to go. The Great Imbalance reminds us where we’re most needed. But beyond these, real barriers still stand in the way of the gospel reaching every nation. Persecution, political and geographic isolation, and unhealthy dependency can all slow or stop the spread of the Good News.
At Activate Global, we’re passionate about confronting these challenges head-on—with Spirit-led strategy, local partnerships, and a commitment to multiplying disciples in the hardest places. Explore the stories below to see how we respond—and how the gospel is advancing in the face of every obstacle.
EVERYONE Has a Role to Play
The Great Commission isn’t just for a few. It’s for all of us. Some are called to go. Others are called to give, pray, or send. But each of us has a part to play in reaching the unreached. At Activate, we’re committed to playing ours—with everything we’ve got. Until the Great Commission is fulfilled. Until the Great Imbalance is corrected. Until ALL have heard.
Because Jesus is worth it. And the nations are still waiting.