There is no middle ground.
From The Director
Everyone who meets Jesus Christ is compelled to respond
Professional fishermen leave their boats to become fishers of men. A tax-collector gives up his career to assume a new calling. Blind people with eyesight restored never again walk in darkness. Ordinary people say goodbye to family and friends. A demon-possessed man in Gadarenes leaves behind the tombs he once called home. A paralytic, miraculously delivered, walks without a limp. Cleansed lepers are outcasts no more. Religious people reject Him. Pilate washes his hands of Him. Ignorant crowds call for His crucifixion. A persecuting tyrant becomes a prolific theologian. Sinners become saints.
Everyone responds. Some meet Jesus, experience His saving grace, marvel at sins forgiven, and follow with abandon and without regret. Others reject who He is and what He offers, unable to handle what He demands. He promises the former His eternal presence, the latter choose eternal separation.
Biblical discipleship is an all-or-nothing thing. Becoming a ‘half disciple’ is not an option. Those early disciples forsook all as they began life with Jesus. To forsake means to turns one’s back on the former way of life. It implies choice and commitment. And all over the world, every day, it happens over and over again. Countless numbers hear His call and respond in wonder, gratitude, submission. This calling is not a hobby – Jesus becomes leader and Lord.
Pioneers teams are sharing the gospel at every opportunity to make disciples all over the world. They are sold out for this. No one alone, but teams of like-minded disciples discipling lost people toward a relationship with Jesus Christ, and helping believers grow in their faith to the glory of God. Partnering to make disciples and plant churches.
Pioneers mobilises teams to glorify God among unreached peoples by initiating church planting movements in partnership with local churches.
Here’s a what motivates me in the task…
• Church planting is the great theme in the great book of Acts where God’s Spirit is at work bringing lost people to Himself and binding them into local bodies of believers called churches.
• Church planting is the greatest way to see God bring something out of nothing as God works in ways that go beyond our collective imagination.
• Church planting is the greatest way to see how weak we are and how powerful God is.
• Church planting is the opportunity not to work for God but to see Him work in amazing ways through His redeemed people.
• Church planting is pioneer work where countless leading-edge breakthroughs are made.
• Church planting is an amazing way to see the glory of God as He creates worshiping communities of previously lost and blind sinners who now revel in amazing grace.
• Church planting is the way to see these local gatherings mature, plant other churches and see God’s kingdom expand.
Everyone who meets Jesus Christ is compelled to respond. One way or the other. Our prayer is that many will respond in humble adoration as we partner with others and watch God at work.
Save the Humans
Fully Abandoned
PIONEERS MOBILISES TEAMS TO GLORIFY GOD AMONG UNREACHED PEOPLES BY INITIATING CHURCH PLANTING MOVEMENTS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH LOCAL CHURCHES.
As we partner with like-minded followers of Jesus around the world to double, by God’s grace, the number of unreached peoples we serve, we stand on giants’ shoulders. Many have gone before; many are serving today; we pray for many more to come.
William Carey: Pioneer to India. Often referred to as the father of modern missions, he believed that the Great Commission was a command to be fulfilled by every generation of Christians.
◊ To belong to Jesus is to embrace the nations with Him.
◊ To know the will of God, we need an open Bible and an open map.
◊ I’m not afraid of failure; I’m afraid of succeeding at things that don’t matter.
Jim Elliot: Martyr in South America. One of the most prominent martyrs for the Christian faith. In 1956, he gave his life serving in Ecuador, preparing the way for the missionaries to follow, including his wife.
◊ Live to the hilt every situation you believe to be the will of God.
◊ When the time comes to die, make sure that all you have to do is die.
◊ We are a bunch of nobodies trying to exalt Somebody.
David Brainerd: Pioneer to the Americas. Born in 1718, he became one of the first missionaries to Native Americans. While his ministry was short lived, only four years, he made a huge impact on the lives of many.
◊ Lord, let me make a difference for You that is utterly disproportionate to who I am.
◊ I love to live on the brink of eternity.
Adoniram Judson: Pioneer of Overseas Missions in America. The first overseas missionary from America, he eventually translated the entire Bible into Burmese.
◊ There is no success without sacrifice. If you succeed without sacrifice, it is because someone has suffered before you. If you sacrifice without success, it is because someone will succeed after.
◊ The motto for every missionary, whether preacher, printer, or schoolmaster, ought to be ‘Devoted for Life’.
Hudson Taylor: Pioneer to China. He was a radical missionary to China in the 1850s, understanding what many at the time did not: instead of asking the people to adapt to his culture, he adapted to theirs.
◊ God isn’t looking for people of great faith, but individuals ready to follow Him.
◊ God’s work done in God’s way will never lack God’s supply.
Amy Carmichael: Mother to India. Her story has been inspiring people for generations. Her family struggled with money and as she got older, she developed neuralgia that left her bedridden for months at a time.
◊ God holds us to that which drew us first, when the cross was the attraction, and we wanted nothing else.
◊ We have all eternity to tell of the victories won for Christ, but we have only a few hours before sunset to win them.
Ted Fletcher – Pioneers Founder. For Pioneers to be true to its name and heritage wherever we are in our history should always be just the beginning to challenge new frontiers, seek new impossibilities, undertake giant ventures for God, discover and penetrate new unreached people groups with the message of Christ’s love.
Fully abandoned to the work of the gospel.
Towards Deeper Engagement in the Great Commission Partnerships
During our international leadership meetings in October last year, we sensed the Lord leading us to embrace a vision for a doubling of our engagement with unreached people groups (UPGs) over the next decade. We have continued to ponder this idea and to expand the conversation throughout Pioneers. It has continued to grow like a prophetic call to our hearts for this season – a tangible and actionable goal for Pioneers to continue to remain a pioneering movement.
A Clear Goal in Messy Contexts
We recognise ‘harvest dynamics’ are increasingly complex in light of influential factors such as increasing interdependence and integration among global economies, societies and cultures, massive migration and diaspora movements, and the digitalisation of global communications. These are diaspora communities and urban cultural melting pots where mission teams and local churches may simultaneously engage multiple people groups.
Some teams, therefore, now find it useful to think strategically about unreached people and places, the latter being geographical regions with significant populations without the gospel and insufficient numbers of vibrant local churches to effectively evangelise in those contexts. We recognise “a nation or a city may be home to many different people groups, and reaching one of them does not mean that the work in a country or city is done. Every place in a nation must have a reproducing body of believers who can embody the love of Christ in that specific context.” 1
Partnerships are Vital
The priority for reaching UPGs has been in Pioneers DNA, core values and mission statement since our earliest days. Trusting God for a double blessing is not about numbers. We engage in some of the hardest places in the world where there is no ‘low hanging fruit’. However, a Holy Spirit-inspired goal can raise our expectations, stimulate creative thinking, and catalyse the emergence of new ways and new partnerships to share the gospel, make disciples and plant churches among unreached peoples and places.
Our commitment to continue to be people who exhibit a pioneering spirit drives us to engage UPGs in places where numerical progress may not be evidenced for decades. It is up to God to give the increase. As we walk in this goal in partnership with others, we will celebrate all sorts of stories, including early breakthroughs and tenacious engagement in the absence of visible fruit, as well as numerical increase. Such is the power of the gospel. Such is the power of partnership.
The UPG goal that the Lord has inspired us with is bigger than any single organisation can achieve, so it encourages us to press into kingdom partnerships with others whose ethos and goals align with ours –churches, organisations, individuals, pray-ers, go-ers and givers.
No One Alone
What if Pioneers has the privilege of being called alongside even more movements to co-labour for greater shared fruitfulness? What if we join hands with more church and agency partners to see breakthroughs in places where the church has not yet been planted? We dream of impact all over the world – breakthroughs and the opening of new frontiers. We are in this together – will you encourage others to join us?
Pioneers founder Ted Fletcher words from many years ago give fresh inspiration to us:
"God has given us open doors, and we need to go through them as fast as we can. I encourage you to step outside what is known and comfortable, to press ahead in spite of objections, to think outside the box and off the beaten path. If you can’t see very far ahead, go as far as you can see. This is the time to leave the harbor, to be a pioneer."
Mark
Syn | Pioneers International Director
1 Saturation Church Planting: A Call to Collaboration. Lausanne Movement Church Planting Issue Network. P.5
Mission...
When was the last time your Pastor talked about it?
Can you remember the last time your pastor encouraged people in your church to consider if they might be called to cross-cultural mission work?
Over the past year, I’ve been asking people this simple question. The responses have been all over the place - some say, “Just yesterday at our church!” while others pause and say, “I don’t think that’s ever happened.” But the most common answer by far has been, “I honestly can’t remember - probably not for a long time.”
Just to be clear, I’m talking about pastors here - not visiting missionaries or guest speakers.
A friend of mine once decided to read every application letter sent to CMS (the Church Missionary Society) between 1810 and 1830. That’s 20 years’ worth! He told me what really stood out was the role of ministers and Sunday School teachers in opening young people’s eyes and hearts to mission. Many of the letters mentioned teachers who shared inspiring stories about pioneers like William Carey, Robert Morrison, or Melchior Renner—names that may sound old-fashioned now, but they were the front-line missionaries of their day.
As these young people grew up, they got more involved. They prayed for mission work, supported it financially, and encouraged others to get involved too. If a missionary came to visit, it was a big event! Churches were packed, and their stories were heard in universities and even government offices. They were honoured as people who had done something extraordinary.
By the time a person applies to become a missionary,
they had usually spent many years thinking and praying about it. They’d met lots of missionaries, finished university, received theological trainingand it all started because their local church made mission a regular part of church life.
Now, not every church back then was doing this - but enough were. So many, in fact, that by the middle of the 1800s, mission work had become a great movement. Sadly, things have changed. Today, fewer young people are preparing for crosscultural mission work. Fewer are heading out to places where people have never heard the message of Jesus. But some are…
Last week, I was privileged to attend the commissioning of Deborah and Ray White, headed for Sentani, Papua. Their church isn’t enormous, maybe a hundred or so when everyone turns up, but their love for the Whites is evident. Their commitment to helping them fulfill their call is clear. And their dedication in helping even the youngest members of the church be engaged with their work will surely bear fruit for decades to come.
I wonder if someone who was at the Whites’ commissioning will one day in their own application letter recall the story of a dedicated pastor, a faithful children’s or youth ministry leader, and a family called to serve in a nation with over two hundred unreached people groups.
So maybe it’s time we asked again: When was the last time we spoke about it in church?
Julian Dunham | Sending Team
Standing in the Gap for a World in Need of Christ
“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people - for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Saviour, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth."
1 Timothy 2:1–4
Arguments may penetrate the mind; only prayer can open the heart. People can be persuaded; hearts need to be changed. Evangelism is logical; prayer is formidable. “Men may spurn our appeals, reject our message, oppose our arguments, despise our persons, but they are helpless against our prayers” (J. Sidlow Baxter). Pioneers members are dedicated to making disciples and planting churches in regions where there are few believers, no established churches, and minimal exposure to the gospel. This ministry to unreached peoples and places is distinct from the vital work of local evangelism. It requires followers of Christ to cross linguistic, cultural, political, financial, and geographical barriers - often serving in some of the most challenging environments on earth. No one can do it alone. And prayer makes all the difference. We invite you to partner in prayer - to stand in the gapfor peoples and places in chaos today.
Gaza and Southern Israel – Escalating War
Since October 2023, the conflict between Israel and Hamas has resulted in significant loss of life and widespread devastation. As of 23 March 2025, reports that more than 50,000 Palestinians have been killed, and more than 113,000 wounded in Gaza alone. The region is home to numerous UPGs, including Gaza Arabs and Negev Bedouins.
“He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth.”
Psalm 46:9
◊ Pray for an end to violence and for peace rooted in justice and truth.
◊ Ask God to strengthen and protect workers in the region.
◊ Pray unreached peoples will encounter Jesus amid this crisis.
◊ Pray that believers on both sides will be courageous peacemakers.
◊ Ask for comfort for those grieving and displaced.
◊ Pray for the spiritual, emotional and physical healing of children and families.
◊ Pray for God’s will to be done in Gaza and Israel, and for His kingdom to come.
Sudan – Civil War and Humanitarian Crisis Sudan has been engulfed in a brutal civil war since April 2023, resulting in 12.5 million people being displaced, including 8.9 million within Sudan and 3.4 million who have fled to neighbouring countries. The conflict has created one of the world's worst displacement crises. Sudan is home to more than 130 UPGs, including the Shaigiya and Beja.
“Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”
Psalm 82:4
◊ Pray for an immediate end to the conflict and for lasting peace.
◊ Intercede for UPGs who have never heard the name of Jesus.
◊ Pray for open doors for ministry in refugee camps and host nations.
◊ Ask for provision, safety and hope for displaced families.
◊ Pray for movements of people coming to faith in Jesus.
◊ Ask that God’s purposes would prevail even as people suffer.
Myanmar – Conflict, Displacement and
Earthquake
On 28 March this year, a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck the Sagaing Region near Mandalay, Myanmar's second-largest city. The disaster caused widespread destruction, with the death toll continuing to rise as more bodies are recovered from the rubble. This catastrophe compounds the challenges faced by a nation already grappling with political instability and conflict since the 2021 military coup, which has displaced millions. Myanmar is home to numerous UPGs, including the Rohingya and Rakhine.
“The Lord is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
Psalm 34:18
◊ Pray for recovery and relief efforts following the earthquake.
◊ Ask God to bring an end to violence and political oppression.
◊ Pray for protection over displaced families and vulnerable ethnic groups.
◊ Intercede for UPGs who have not yet heard the gospel.
◊ Pray for local believers to remain faithful and encouraged.
◊ Ask that workers would be equipped to serve wisely and compassionately.
Yemen – Conflict, Hunger and Spiritual Need
After a decade of conflict, Yemen remains one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises. As of 2025, around 19.5 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance, including 12 million children at risk due to food shortages, lack of clean water, and limited access to healthcare. Yemen is home to over 30 UPGs, such as the Yemeni Arabs and Mahra peoples.
“The Lord hears the needy and does not despise His captive people.”
Psalm 69:33
◊ Pray for an end to war and for peace to take root in Yemen.
◊ Ask for aid to reach those facing hunger and disease.
◊ Intercede for those who have never heard the name of Jesus.
◊ Ask that God would sustain and protect believers in the country.
◊ Pray for dreams and visions to open hearts to Christ.
Ukraine – War and Ongoing Instability
The conflict in Ukraine has led to significant humanitarian needs, with 14.6 million people requiring assistance. Approximately 4 million are internally displaced, and 6.8 million have fled the country as refugees. While Ukraine has a strong Christian heritage, there are over 30 UPGs within the country – more than a million individuals. The Crimean Tatars and the Gagauz are among these groups.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”
Matthew 5:9
◊ Pray for peace and healing in Ukraine, Russia and surrounding nations.
◊ Ask for strength and courage for churches ministering amid trauma.
◊ Pray displaced people will encounter the love of Christ.
◊ Intercede for UPGs to be reached through refugee movements and media.
◊ Pray for believers in Russia and Ukraine to be bold and compassionate.
◊ Ask for wisdom for Pioneers workers engaging in the region.
◊ Pray that God’s peace would triumph over hatred and fear.
Global Mission through overseas aid and relief projects
OARF
Some Pioneers workers are involved in aid and development work through OARF projects that reflect an acknowledgement and understanding of the UN Sustainable Development Goals through a Christian faith perspective. These projects work with communities, seeking to improve conditions in a sustainable way and redress inequalities by promoting fairer and impartial systems of services, often for the least privileged and most marginalised members of that society.
Myanmar Earthquake Relief A tax-deductable OARF Project
Thank you for caring about the people of Myanmar. News continues to emerge of the devastation there following the 28 March 2025 earthquake which shook Myanmar with dreadful consequences. So far, there are reports of more than 3300 deaths, and many more people are missing. There is extensive infrastructure damage in Myanmar, Thailand and China. Teams and partners in East Asia are ready to respond and show compassion to those affected.
We are working with local and expat groups to get a better feel of the situation and understand how best to give support and assistance. It remains difficult for international teams to get into the country, let alone to the most affected areas.
Pioneers contacts are working with a trusted network to identify local partners working in the context. Our goal is to support them in the efforts they discern to be the most pressing at this time. We desire to empower Burmese people at the grassroots level to be effective hands and feet in practical ways.
Will you help resource them to respond to immediate and ongoing needs? Donations will be used to help those in greatest need, some of whom do not make news headline. The project focuses on the Mandalay and Sagaing regions. Sagaing is the epicentre of the quake. Donations will be used to…
• Assist victims with food and water according to their needs, medical assistance and shelter.
• Engage health professionals to assist with immediate care and trauma recovery counseling.
• Hire transportation for a small support team and a truck to carry supplies.
You can give by scanning the QR code, via the website or by contacting Pioneers on 1800 78 78 89. Please specify your gift is for 'Myanmar Earthquake Relief'. All donations to this fund are tax-deductible, and donors will be issued a tax-deductible receipt.
We Can’t Do It Alone
Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.
Psalm 127:1
When my family and I lived in Central Asia, we had watchmen. The non-governmental agency we were part of required us to have them. Why? Because at the time, as foreigners, we made tempting targets for the high volume of attacks and kidnappings happening throughout the country. Now, when you imagine a watchman in that context, you might be picturing Kevlar vests, machine guns and steely eyes. It wasn’t that. We didn’t have armed security, we had chowkidors (chow-kee-darrz)—literally 'keepers of the chair'. Their job was to watch, to be aware of what was happening, and to let us know if someone was paying attention. They didn’t have weapons (although they often asked for them!) aside from wooden sticks.
They simply kept watch.
Over the years, we had several chowkidors. Some were great and some less so. Two contrasts come to mind: *Wadi and *Samea. Wadi was highly motivated and highly structured, which was unusual in our context. At night he was on the rooftop of the guestroom. Like clockwork, every 15 minutes he would rotate to a different vantage point covering all sides each hour. He did this without fail the entire night. Samea, on the other hand, a relative of a friend, was young and well intentioned, but he was no Wadi. I remember hearing a disturbance one night and going to investigate. It turned out to be nothing significant, but where was Samea? Asleep in a building at the rear of our property. He was very apologetic, but his employment was quickly terminated!
Watchmen matter.
Ultimately, however, our hope and defense as foreigners there wasn’t solely with the watchmen, whether diligent or lazy. They wouldn’t have kept armed invaders from getting to us in short order. Our trust was in the Lord.
Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.
Psalm 127:1
Our work matters. Our efforts matter. God sees what we do and has injunctions for us to serve with excellence because it brings Him glory. But our work alone is not what brings success. God Himself must move. Individuals and families won’t uproot from ‘here’ to serve ‘there’ simply by an effort of our will. God Himself must work. How do we unleash the resources of heaven? By prayer. For any lasting results, for fruit that remains, God must intervene. If we are to see hundreds more new groups engaged with the gospel, all that we do must be undergirded by, interwoven with and covered in prayer. So, let’s pray. Let’s commit ourselves daily to uplifting co-labourers in prayer. Let’s intercede for the lost to know Jesus. We can’t do this alone. We need God Himself as He works through the prayers of His people.
Lord of the harvest, create in Pioneers a relentless commitment to consistent prayer on behalf of our global family serving peoples in places yet to know You. Amen.
Joe Gober | Pioneers USA
