People group profile · PG048208
The Beldar (Gujari) of India
The Beldar (Gujari) of India, numbering about 276,000 people, are Engaged yet Unreached. They are a traditional construction and earthworking community whose labor contributed significantly to roads, canals, wells, and infrastructure throughout northern and central India.
They are an indigenous people in the Marathi-Konkani people cluster of the South Asian Peoples. Their primary religion is Hinduism, and they primarily speak Gujari.
Fast facts
- Country
- India
- Population
- 276,000
- Affinity group
- South Asian Peoples
- People cluster
- Marathi-Konkani
- Primary language
- Gujari (gju)
- Primary religion
- Hinduism
- Strategic Progress Index
- Engaged yet Unreached
- Evangelical
- Less than 2%
- GSEC
- Less than 2% Evangelical, No Recent CP Activity
- Lostness priority
- Expanding Unreached People Group
- Region
- Southern Asia, Asia
- Location
- Jammu and Kashmir: Anantnag district, Doru, Kukernag, and Pahalgam sub-districts; Baramulla district, Uri sub-district; Ganderbal district, Kangan sub-district; Kulgam district; Kupwara district, Handwara, Karnah, and Kupwara sub-districts; Pulwama
Where they live
Gospel status
The Beldar (Gujari) are Engaged yet Unreached, which means fewer than 2% are evangelical Christians, but there are sustained efforts to establish self-sustaining churches consistent with evangelical faith and practice. In GSEC terms, this people group is less than 2% evangelical, some evangelical resources are available, but there has been no active church planting among them within the past two years.
- Congregations exist Yes
- Church planting in the last two years No Churches Planted
Next steps for the Beldar (Gujari)
- Continue prayer and fasting for this group
- Continue gospel seed sowing and church planting among this group
- Begin training up local leaders to lead and develop strategies to reach their own people
Gospel resources in Gujari
- Bible available, published 2022
- JESUS Film available
- Radio programs not available
- Gospel recordings available
- Audio resources available
- Bible stories not available
Films
- JESUS (Gojri)
Find more at the JESUS Film Project, Bible.com and Faith Comes by Hearing.
Pray for the Beldar (Gujari)
- Ephesians 5:8. Pray that those walking in darkness will turn to the light and live as children of light.
- Romans 10:14–15. Ask God to send messengers, so that people can hear, believe and call on the name of the Lord.
- Matthew 9:37–38. Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest field.
- 2 Timothy 2:2. Pray for faithful local leaders who will teach others, so that the church multiplies.
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