Towards Reaching the Unreached People Groups in Africa: A Pentecostal Paradigm
Kwasi Atta Agyapong 
& Emmanuel Agyei Kwafo
Issue: Vol.5 No.3 June 2024 Article 1 pp. 27-44
DOI : https://doi.org/10.38159/pecanep.2024531 | Published online 7th June 2024.
© 2024 The Author(s). This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
This phenomenological study focused on understanding Unreached People Groups (UPGs) lived experiences to model a Pentecostal mission strategy. The global discussion and attention on the UPGs ignited at the 1974 Lausanne Congress and it has altered the global understanding of mission. In recent times, people’s group thinking represents a predominant pattern in global missions. Nonetheless, few scholarly works have been conducted to carefully examine UPG’s questionable theological and socio-cultural underlying assumptions and consequently, Christian institutions and missionaries are less prepared to reach out. This study directed by the Pentecost Centre for the Study of Unreached People Groups (PCUPGs) at the Pentecost University, Ghana critically re-evaluated the concept using biblical and sociocultural analysis to assess the Biblical and Conceptual basis of UPGs. The study from theological and socio-cultural perspectives developed missional strategies towards reaching the unreached people groups in Africa in fulfillment of the Great Commission of Jesus Christ, to disciple all Ethnic Groups and consequently, redefine the term “UPGs” which is a seminal contribution to scholarship. The study contributes to academia by assessing the theological and conceptual basis of the UPGs towards developing pragmatic missional strategies to overcome the contemporary mission challenges, as well as initiate a Pentecostal approach to missions amongst the UPGs in Africa.
Keywords: Unreached People Groups, Great Commission, ethnic groups, socio-cultural assumptions, and missional strategies
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Kwasi Atta Agyapong is a PhD candidate at the Philippines Christian University. He serves as a reviewer for academic works submitted to various peer-reviewed journals. Beyond academia, he is an ordained minister of the Church of Pentecost, currently the District Minister for Acherensua in the Ahafo Region of Ghana. His scholarly interests span several fields, including: Biblical Studies, Missions, Mythological Studies, Pentecostal Studies. He combines his academic pursuits with his spiritual calling, making meaningful contributions both within and beyond the scholarly community.
Emmanuel Agyei Kwafo (Bachelor of Science Education, MA Theology and Missions, MPhil Leadership) is an adjunct lecturer at the Pentecost University, Ghana. He is an ordained minister of the Church of Pentecost and the National Coordinator for the Home and Urban Missions of the Church of Pentecost.
Agyapong, Kwasi Atta & Emmanuel Agyei Kwafo. “Towards Reaching the Unreached People Groups in Africa: A Pentecostal Paradigm.” Pentecostalism, Charismaticism and Neo-Prophetic Movements Journal 5, no.3 (2024): 27-44. https://doi.org/10.38159/pecanep.2024531
© 2024 The Author(s). Published and Maintained by Noyam Journals. This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
