The ADOPT Framework: A - Awaken · D - Decide · O - Orient · P - Pray · T - Team Up & Take Action. Click or tap each step to expand.
Frontier people groups are often "hidden" from the existing church because of their distance culturally, religiously, socially, linguistically, and geographically. Awaken to their existence. Pray for God's blessing upon them. Learn about them and share about them with others.
As awareness grows, so does a sense of responsibility. The Awaken step is about letting God shape your heart for those with the least access to the gospel and inviting others into that journey.
Resources
Discover who the Frontier People Groups near you are. Use Joshua Project to learn who the FPGs in your region are. The Explore Frontier People Group section is a good place to begin.
To search for Frontier People Groups in your region:
- Go to the Joshua Project FPG page and select 'Explore the Data': joshuaproject.net/frontier
- Go to "Region" and deselect 'All'. Select your region and then click 'Apply'.
- To focus in on the dots on map to see the location of the groups, zoom in to the area of interest. Hover over the dot to read about the FPG. Click on the dot to go to that People Group Profile.
- This same process can be refined by adding language, people group cluster, or population of the FPG to the search criteria. Repeat the steps to look for a variety of FPGs in the area of interest.
The Joshua Project website has a video tutorial available for the interactive map tool.
Additional resources:
Adoption becomes real when you choose a specific frontier people group rather than keeping the burden general. Use the FPG Adoption Manual, online tools, and prayer to help your family, small group, church, mission organization, or network decide on one or multiple frontier people groups to adopt.
Deciding clarifies focus. It allows you to move from "someone should do something" to "we are committed to this people." That clarity shapes how you pray, give, mobilize, and partner.
Resources
A few considerations when deciding on which FPG(s) to adopt:
- Familiarity or current relationship that already exists
- Heart burden felt or agreed upon by a group or organization
- Base the choice on the strategic mission priority of your church, mission, or organization
- The current religion of the FPG is one you have some knowledge of or burden to see reached
- The geographic location in the world
- The language they speak
- The population — while all FPGs are in need of outsiders to bring access to the Gospel, some groups have millions of people within them and other groups are much smaller
- Accessibility to further knowledge of the FPG and/or access to actionable steps of engagement beyond adoption. This may not be knowable with all FPGs but may be a consideration for some at this stage of the process.
Orientation is learning the world of your adopted people so you can pray and serve with understanding. It includes learning about their history, identity, language, religion, locations, felt needs, and barriers to the gospel.
As you orient, you begin to see how God is already at work and where the gaps remain. This step shapes how you intercede, how you communicate to others, and how you discern appropriate forms of outreach and partnership.
Resources
Learning about the FPG you have adopted takes intentional time and energy. AI generated information, such as ChatGPT, may be of some assistance in general information. However, a Google Advanced Search may be helpful.
Using Google Advanced Search:
- Do a Google Advanced Search for people groups in your selected country.
- Joshua Project might appear a lot, so you could remove all sites that joshuaproject.net or Joshua Project appears. Insert those in "Find pages with none of these words."
- Try different phrases and wordings to see if you can find info related, in particular, to the FPG you have adopted (for example, in Thailand).
- To get to know the FPG better, search for things like daily life of the FPG, understanding the religious beliefs of the FPG, and understanding the economy or social structure that affect the FPG. Search pages that feature detailed information on what you're looking for.
- Add political, historical, and family structures of these people to your searches.
- Look for trails that may lead to other access points to this people group around the world by adding in searches of this FPG living in cities and other regions. Consider further research into NGOs or businesses that are working among the people group.
Prayer is the engine of adoption. Praying means building regular rhythms to intercede with the Lord on behalf of the frontier people group. Pray for open doors, the rise of local laborers, protection and boldness for believers if they exist, next steps in your involvement, and for the Lord to advance the gospel in unexpected ways.
As prayer deepens, God often gives fresh insight, unites partners, and highlights specific invitations for your community to respond in faith.
Resources
Prayer is an active, fueling part of FPG adoption. Prayer is the constant companion in each stage of the process. Whether praying individually, in small groups, as church, or in a global prayer effort, guidance is helpful. The below resources are a few available to assist in praying for FPGs.
Adoption is sustained through shared ownership. With the challenges involved in engaging frontier people groups, joining with others in adoption multiplies the resources, efforts, and opportunities beyond your own reach. Teaming up may include partnering with sending organizations, mission networks, local churches, and other adopters of the same FPG to share information, coordinate efforts, and support workers on the field.
Taking action could involve financially supporting another organization that will begin to engage the frontier people group, directly sending workers, or engaging regularly through digital means. Whatever the level of involvement, taking action should catalyze evangelistic engagement among the frontier people group in a way that leads to discipleship and the starting of churches.
In this step you clarify specific roles, timelines, and commitments, and you regularly revisit and adjust those actions as God leads and circumstances change.
Resources
Team Up
The Five Circles of Partnership are a good place to pause for reflection. Take some time to really think about the partnerships that God may be leading you to join. Below are questions for reflection on each form of partnership.
Information Partners
- Why is accurate information foundational before engagement begins?
- What dangers exist if strategy is built without local cultural insight?
- How can research strengthen prayer rather than replace dependence on God?
- What types of information would most help your adopted FPG right now?
- Who might already be gathering data that you could learn from?
Access Partners
- Why is relational access often more important than resources?
- Can someone who is not a Christian still be an Access Partner? Why?
- What bridges already exist to your adopted FPG (FPG who have moved to areas of greater access, businesses, NGOs)?
- What risks come from bypassing key relational people of influence?
- How can humility open doors that strategy cannot?
Ministry Partners
- What types of practical service demonstrate Christ's love authentically?
- How can ministry partnerships build unity across denominations?
- Where might service open doors for deeper spiritual conversations?
- How do we avoid competition among ministries?
Evangelism Partners
- What does intentional proclamation look like in different cultures?
- How do we balance boldness and sensitivity?
- What methods might differ while maintaining shared gospel commitment?
- How can evangelism partners strengthen one another?
- What barriers to proclamation exist among your FPG?
Core Partners
- Why is theological alignment essential at this level?
- What ministry practices must be shared to sustain long-term collaboration?
- What conflicts could arise without clarified convictions?
Take Action
Now is the time to make your move to a 'next best step' to see the FPG(s) move closer to becoming engaged with the Gospel. The list is certainly not exhaustive but gives a variety of ideas to get creative thinking started.
- Start a prayer group
- Join a global prayer group
- Give of your gifts, time, and resources to those working around the world to reach FPGs:
- Volunteer your skills with an organization or church
- Fund digital tools, Bible translation, or organizations who send close-culture workers
- Are you being called to go yourself?
- Talk with your pastor
- Get in touch with organizations who work with this FPG or those close to them
- Consider reaching FPGs who are no longer in their native context. Those living as foreigners around the globe often have different felt needs.
- Start a welcoming activity for FPGs in your area — perhaps a kids' or women's group that serves a felt need
