In northern Tanzania’s remote bush, the Hadzabi people hold to their traditional ways as hunters and gatherers. They are one of Tanzania’s least-reached people groups, and one of the least in size—there are only 1,400 Hadzabi. They have been ignored or marginalized since colonial times, and their way of life is disappearing in development and assimilation.

The Hadzabi live in movable camps, spending the dry season on the grasslands where they can hunt wildlife for meat and graze their livestock, and the rainy season back in the forest living off honey, fruit, and roots. They consider the food of the land as God’s gift to them. Their traditional beliefs include a Creator God, one they know by name, and they know he has a son.

Now, for the first time, the Hadzabi are hearing that Jesus is the name of the Son.

Pastor Leo, a local church planter, is reaching out to the Hadzabi in the name of Jesus. He’s introducing them to the Son of the Creator God and sharing the Good News.

Leo was trained through a Global Disciples partner program whose goal is to reach several least-reached people groups in their region. He was one of the first to complete the training and he’s already deep into the ministry he prepared for.

In just a few months, there were two Hadzabi believers, and a family from another unreached people group in the region coming to a new fellowship. These two believers began introducing Leo to the rest of their small community, building relationships, and sharing the Gospel.

At last report, at least 23 baptized Hadzabi believers and their families are worshiping Christ and sharing the Good News with others. They are also building a permanent church structure—a step forward for a people who come and go based on the seasons.

“It was so meaningful because I saw our mission to the least-reached is being fulfilled!” said a Global Disciples trainer when she visited Leo and met the new Hadzabi believers. 

Even though they are few in number, this is still a least-reached people. But because they are few, Pastor Leo and others have the opportunity to help the Hadzabi become a reached people, living in the light of Christ. 

People like Pastor Leo embraced the vision to see every person have an opportunity to choose and follow Jesus. They know that includes the Hadzabi, and they’re doing all they can to equip believers and fulfill the assignment to reach the least-reached.