Great River People

  • Pre-Entry
  • Pre-Evangelism
  • Evangelism
  • Discipleship
  • Phase-Out
  • Completed

About the People

About 230,000 Great River People border the Mekong River and live near Southeastern Asia’s major cities, such as Phnom Penh. Extremely poor, they survive by farming, fishing, building boats, metalwork and light commerce. Their bamboo homes are elevated to protect against flooding, and their diet consists of fish, rice and vegetables. Because so many men were killed in the 1970s, the Great River People’s line of descent is now traced through the women. The rural Great River People practice folk Islam, mixing veneration of the dead with magic and Muslim tradition (a blend of Animism and Islam). Outside efforts to promote Islam have stepped up recently, and the Great River People define themselves more by their religion than their historical origins. There are no known churches or scriptures among this people group.

The Great River People are an unreached Muslim people group in Southeast Asia, numbering around half a million. The opportunity for them to hear about the Savior and His truth for these last days is now! Muslim missionaries from overseas are seeking to make them more orthodox.

About the Project

Since the first millennium A.D., when advanced civilizations of the present-day country in Southeast Asia populated the area, this Asian country has had a checkered history. A protectorate of France for nearly 100 years and a monarchy on and off since 1953, this Southeast Asia region has been decimated by decades of civil war and corruption. An estimated 1.5 to 3 million were killed during Pol Pot’s Khmer Rouge reign when money, medicine, religion and education all but disappeared.

Bordered by Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and the Gulf of Thailand, the nearly 70,000 square-mile country is 95 percent Buddhist (mostly Khmer people), three percent Islam (mostly Great River People), and only two percent are Christian. Textiles and tourism provide most of the hard currency. This region’s temperatures range from 50-100 degrees Fahrenheit. The wet season (May-October) and dry season (November-March) are both ushered in by tropical monsoons.

As our missionaries convey that we are people of faith—through simple prayer ministry, spiritual conversations and kindness—they gain people’s confidence and, by God’s grace, win their hearts for Jesus. The goal is to plant groups of believers who can spread this message throughout the entire people group.

One of the keys to reaching the Great River people is health ministry. By using simple health remedies, assisting the sick to find organizations able to help, and through the work of short-term medical teams, AFM missionaries have won many people’s confidence and hope to begin a small health clinic to meet the overwhelming need better. The Great River people have a tremendous desire to learn English, and teaching English to elementary-age students is an avenue to reach these people. Plans include expanding classes for older learners in the future.

People-Group Facts

  • Population: 230,000
  • Trade Language: Khmer
  • Religion: 88% Islam, 10% Hindu.

Frontier Stories

Wanita’s Demons

I am sure angels were guarding us that night.

By: Rachel Church
December 01 2017, 11:20 am | Comments 0

Throwing Up Nails

The bottle held several nails, some of them long and rusted. But she hadn’t eaten any nails so why did she throw them up?

By: Rose Russell
November 28 2017, 10:02 pm | Comments 0

The Cham Mafia

The Mafia is real guys. And its here. Oh and Coffee. Lots of Coffee.

By: Rose Russell
November 28 2017, 8:36 pm | Comments 0

The Day God Did Not Answer

I’ve never felt so inadequate…

By: Rose Russell
November 09 2017, 9:16 pm | Comments 1

Vegetarian Missionaries

Please pray for us, as Westerners used to so many healthy food choices that are readily available in our home country, that as we contextualize faith in the Son of God for salvation among the Great River People, we will faithfully teach God’s loving and perfect will and His principles for living God-fearing lives.

By: Noah Roberts
November 01 2017, 10:52 am | Comments 0

Introducing Derek and Marley Vida

We hope you will join us on our journey through your prayers and support. “Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous works among all the peoples!” (Ps. 96:3).

By: Marley Vida
November 01 2017, 10:03 am | Comments 0

A Night In the ER

This challenging experience reminded me that God does not always choose to heal the sick or to raise the dead to life.

By: Boaz Church
November 01 2017, 9:20 am | Comments 0

Seeking Seekers

From the first beginnings all the way to our final objective, success actually feels possible! Thank you so much to all our teachers and supporters who have helped us come this far.

By: Joshua & Stephanie Lewis
October 01 2017, 1:08 pm | Comments 0

Jesus Has Power Over Demons

Praise God for revealing His Son’s power to this young lady and to the group!

By: Boaz Church
October 01 2017, 12:50 pm | Comments 0

A Few More Weeks

We would like to dedicate the years of our future service in our new home to all the churches, families, and loved ones whose sacrifice and giving bind them to the Great River People every day. We will miss you all.

By: Noah Roberts
September 01 2017, 6:21 am | Comments 0

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