South Sudanese Christians caught up in the ongoing civil war have been sharing their few possessions with others – and seeing people give glory to God.
Tut Kony, director of a South Sudan-based umbrella mission organisation says:’ Our organisation is partnering [Bible translators] unfoldingWord [sic] in translating the Bible into Sudan’s unreached-people group languages. It also runs a school for believers from a Muslim background who are leading house church networks. Since the start of the war, we have also provided 562 families with food, and basic medical supplies.
Kony went on: ‘Here is a testimony from a house-church leader from a Muslim background: ‘I will never forget the way you supported us as we ran from the fighting. We were encouraged to be in the church and, with my team, we ministered to the people through prayer and counselling for those who lost their loved ones in the war. Now we are busy encouraging them to keep their faith in this hard time. I know many who have been encouraged even though they are from other religions; they came to us, and as we shared the few things we have they gave glory to the God of the church.’
Kony says: ‘The war has brought chaos, panic, desperation, and indescribable loss into every thread of Sudanese society. Although suffering is broad, at its centre are the most vulnerable and least resourced.
‘Theological institutions and churches have become command posts. Khartoum’s Nile Theological College is now the barracks of one faction, while the other has confiscated the Episcopal Church in a suburb of Khartoum. Only a few churches are now able to function.
‘The worldwide church needs to be pray and seek ways to stand with the refugee church. The hearts of many people are open to hear the hope of the gospel as they long for hope. Secondly, the church in Sudan should intensify its efforts in evangelism and discipleship. People are desperate for hope and their hearts are open to hearing the gospel. They know that Islam is behind this conflict. Finally, Western and African governments must put pressure on both sides of the conflict. They will not stop until it’s too costly for them to continue.’
