Reaching the 3.5 Billion: A Biblical and Effective Missions Strategy

After 2,000 years of missions—beginning with the Apostles and continuing through centuries of European and American missionary efforts—there are now Christians in every country on earth. And yet, more than 3.5 billion people remain unreached, having never been given the opportunity to become disciples of Jesus.

According to the International Missions Board (IMB), approximately 176,000 people die each day without Christ, and 60% of them come from the unreached, those who have never heard the gospel.

How Can We Reach Them?

Despite global missions efforts, we are losing ground in world evangelism. The number of unreached people is growing faster than the rate at which we are reaching them. Many churches remain unaware of what their missions dollars are actually supporting—or whether those efforts are producing lasting fruit.

This article explores both biblical and modern models of missions that have proven to be more effective than traditional paradigms. It draws from over 40 years of mission investment focused on evangelism and church planting in the 10/40 Window, as well as Scripture and global research on how God is currently moving through believers around the world.

We’ll also introduce several missions organizations achieving measurable impact, along with practical guidance on how they operate—and how you can get involved.

What Makes a Missions Strategy Effective and Scriptural?

Effective missions models today are marked by national believers training national church planters. This approach not only honors the pattern seen in Scripture (e.g., 2 Timothy 2:2) but also proves to be more scalable, cost-effective, and culturally appropriate.

Below are real-world examples of missions organizations that embody this model and the impact they are making among unreached people groups.

Models That Are Working

One Body One Hope

Founded by Aaron Baart, Chief of Staff and Dean at Dordt University, after connecting with a Liberian pastor in 2007, One Body One Hope has focused on Liberia.

• 45 churches planted since 2007

• Each church averages 100–200 new disciples

• Cost per disciple: $60–$100

• Uses Timothy Leadership training materials

• Five in-country master trainers

• Pastors intern for two years before leading their own church

• Launch strategy includes week-long crusades and radio ministry

The Timothy Initiative (TTI)

TTI was launched by a Baptist church in Florida that soon discovered the power of equipping nationals to train nationals.

• Active in 38 countries

• Uses proprietary training materials

• Entrance strategies include the Jesus Film and audio Bibles

• Churches are planted for approximately $400 each

• Tracks impact through audits and a "trust but verify" approach

• Encourages holistic ministry, including care for widows and orphans

The Finishing Fund (FF)

Started in 2017 by Doug Cobb, a CPA involved in the Finishing the Task movement, FF took on the challenge of reaching the last 700 Unreached, Unengaged People Groups (UUPGs).

• Each UUPG receives $10,000 over three years

• Supports two national Christians per group

• Nearly all groups now have 10–20+ new believers and at least one church

• Operates through 40 mission organizations across 67 countries

• Transitioning now to focus on broader Unreached People Groups (UPGs)

Common Objections—and Responses

1. “What if local conflicts prevent nearby believers from engaging a UPG?”

The Finishing Fund’s success with 700 UUPGs demonstrates that if one group is not able, another can step in. The model still works.

2. “Doesn’t Matthew 28:19 say to ‘go’?”

Some translations read, “as you are going, make disciples.” The Apostles modeled this by empowering local leaders to disciple their own communities. We all play a role—some go, some send.

3. “I’ve been called to go.”

That’s a noble call. However, others may feel called to give where their investment results in more disciples, believing that supporting national church planters is a better expression of stewardship.

4. “We’ve identified a UPG—shouldn’t we send an American missionary?”

Evidence shows that even the hardest-to-reach UUPGs are most effectively engaged by nearby national Christians. With over 100,000 people dying daily in UPGs, we must choose the strategy that reaches the most people.

Characteristics of Effective New Missions Organizations

Whether you're starting a new organization or funding an existing one, the most effective efforts tend to share these traits:

1. National Christians are doing the church planting

2. Nationals train other nationals to plant churches

3. Cost ranges from $400–$1,500 per new church plant

4. For every $10,000, expect at least 100 multiplying disciples (costs may be higher in UUPGs)

5. Bi-vocational leaders help lower costs and increase sustainability

6. Churches are planted within 1–2 years, thanks to cultural familiarity

7. Training includes 300–1,200 hours of hands-on mentoring

8. Uses proven, reproducible training materials

9. American involvement is minimal, focused on short-term support roles

10. Strategy begins in one 10/40 Window country with a strong national leader

A Vision Multiplied

In one missions course, a national leader from a formerly unreached country shared how their movement evolved—from needing outside training, to training their own leaders, to now housing the largest missions association in the world, sending 50,000+ workers throughout their own nation.

This is the fruit of empowering national believers to lead.

If we truly desire to fulfill the Great Commission in our lifetime, we must invest in the strategies that produce real, verifiable, multiplying results. The time is now to come alongside the global Church—because the harvest is ready now, and the workers are already there.