— Ministry Spotlight —
Published Date: March 9, 2026
A UUPG is a distinct cultural or language group with no known active church-planting strategy or missionary presence, and less than 2% evangelical population. The IMB (International Mission Board) estimates there are over 3,000 such groups, comprising about 290 million people who lack access to the Gospel.
The red on the portion of the world map above indicates where UUPGs can be found. Where do you see the greatest concentration of Unengaged Unreached People Groups?
If you said South Asia, you are right! The South Asia Affinity is comprised of seven nations — Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, and Sri Lanka.
This is why Taylors First Baptist has made an effort to specifically target South Asia. It doesn’t mean other places aren’t important. They are! But we also recognize that while South Asia has the greatest concentration of lostness on the planet, it also receives the smallest percent of laborers to population.
For the month of March, we ask that you pray over the Charodi people group of India.
The Charodi are an unengaged, unreached people group located in the Karnataka districts of Shimoga, Uttara Kannada and Dakshina Kannada, numbering 4,800. Their primary language is Konkani, but they speak Kannada to those outside their home. Their primary religion is Hinduism.
The word “Charodi” means “Four boats” in Konkani, which perhaps explains that their ancestors had fled Goa in four boats. Or another version states that the word “Charodi” is the short form of “acharwadi” which means “settlement of carpenters.” The Charodi are traditionally carpenters, primarily boat-makers, and are primarily still in that occupation today.
Pray that the Charodi would hear the story of a carpenter, a carpenter who stepped down from heaven to live a life on earth that they themselves cannot live. A humble, sacrificial carpenter who sacrificed his very self, to carry the weight of the punishment of the sins of the Word. A carpenter who was also very familiar with boats – who awoke from slumber during a storm at sea to display his great power by causing the wind and storm to cease and the seas to still. A former carpenter who will one day return as Judge and Ruling King. May the Charodi see their need for a Redeemer and put their faith in Christ as Lord and Savior, that they themselves might become fishers of men amid their carpentry community.
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14
