The Northern Tlapanec of Mexico

The Northern Tlapanec of Mexico, numbering approximately 182,000 people, are Engaged yet Unreached. They are an indigenous community of Mexico and can also be known as Mi’phàà Minuíí Mi’pa, Tlapanec, Acatepec, Me’pa, Western Tlapanec, Eastern Tlapanec, Me'pa, Acatepec; Tlapanec, Malinaltepec, Tlapanec, Me’phaa, Western Tlapanec, Tlacoapa, Me’pa Wí’ìn, Mè’phàà Mañuwìín, Tlapanec, Malinaltepec; Tlapanec. They are an Indigenous people, in the Central American Indigenous people cluster of the Latin-Caribbean Americans affinity bloc. Their primary religion is Christianity - Folk Catholicism. They primarily speak Me’phaa, Acatepec.

Photo by Google. (2025). Image generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash: Northern Tlapanec

Fast Facts:

Affinity Group: American Peoples
Country: Mexico
People Cluster: Central American Indigenous
Primary Language(s): Me’phaa, Acatepec (tpx)
Primary Religion(s): Christianity - Folk Catholicism
Population: 182,000
Strategic Progress Index (SPI): Engaged yet Unreached
Global Status of Evangelical Christianity (GSEC): Less than 2% Evangelical, No Active CP Activity
People Group ID: PG046980

Pray for the Northern Tlapanec of Mexico

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Dig Deeper (Religion):

Primary Religion: Christianity - Folk Catholicism
Religious Affiliation: Christianity

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Christianity - Folk Catho… Adherents

Dig Deeper (Language):

Primary Language: Me’phaa, Acatepec
Language Family: Otomanguean

%
Me’phaa, Acatepec Speakers

Media Resources in Me’phaa, Acatepec:

Films:

Bible Resources in Me’phaa, Acatepec:

Or check out the Me’phaa, Acatepec bible resources at Bible.com

Linked from YouVersion

Next steps for the Northern Tlapanec

The Northern Tlapanec are Unengaged and Unreached, which means there are less than 2% evangelical Christian populations among which there are no known efforts focused on establishing self-sustaining churches consistent with evangelical faith and practice.

Begin signifcant prayer and fasting for this group
Send cross-cultural teams to discover and research this people group
Begin gospel seed sowing and church planting among this group

Next steps for the Northern Tlapanec

The Northern Tlapanec are Engaged yet Unreached, which means there are less than 2% evangelical Christian populations but there are sustained efforts at establishing self-sustaining churches consistent with evangelical faith and practice.

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

Next steps for the Northern Tlapanec

The Northern Tlapanec are No Longer Unreached, which means there are more than 2% evangelical Christian populations and there are churches consistent with evangelical faith and practice. There is still more to be done among them.

Empower local believers to begin praying for their own people
Continue gospel seed sowing and church planting among this group
Encourage local leaders to being leading church planting strategy and looking for Unreached and Unengaged groups nearby

Pray specifically for the Northern Tlapanec of Mexico

"And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
readJohn 8:32

Pray for those who live enslaved to sin to hear and receive the truth of the gospel and be set free.

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.
readMatthew 13: 45-46

Pray that they will recognize the treasure of knowing Christ Jesus and be willing to give up everything else to gain Him.

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.
readJohn 10:27

Pray that as people place their faith in Christ, they will hear God's voice and will have the great assurance that no one can snatch them from the Father’s hand.

And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”
readRomans 10:15

Pray that God will call many believers who will obediently go and share the gospel with those who desperately need it.

Tlapanec, Acatepec reported in the following countries (ROP3):

To download a comprehensive people group list in spreadsheet form, visit our Research Data page.

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