NOTE: SPECIFIC UPDATE FROM FEILD LEADERSHIP:
- Church Planting
- Biblical Entrepreneurship Development
- Theology of Work
INTRODUCTION
It is exciting and most importantly
to note that there is an indication of the great transformation that is taking place in South Sudan through leadership
empowerment.
The youth and women are turning up in huge numbers for church
planting, biblical entrepreneurship development and Theology of Work education.
My recent training in the second
phase in Church Planting, Biblical Entrepreneurship Development and Theology of
Work in Kajokeji was overwhelmingly attended by over 40+ leaders although the
Country was going through a fresh military war between the government soldiers
and the rebels leaving over 200 soldiers feared dead and hundreds of armies
nursing severe injuries.
I witnessed hundreds of civilians
taking off to Congo and Uganda boarders for safety. Homes were left deserted
and animals left without any one to take care. But, I give God glory and honour
for the zeal, boldness and courage for Church Planters standing firm to
participate in a three days training at Sudan Pentecostal Church.
We
were visited by County commissioner and Acting SPC Overseer who actually
encouraged the leaders to stand firm and appreciated for our boldness, zeal and
passion to continue with the training while people were running for their
safety into the nearing neighbouring countries.
It is my privilege and special honour
to take this God given opportunity to invite our partners from all over the
world to sacrificially pray and financially contribute towards the liberation
of the Sudanese people from the satanic forces of the devil. The land of South
Sudan is ripe for mission field and the devil is against the gospel penetrating
into the newly (5 years old) created country from the greater Sudan government
of Omar Albashir. The country is going through struggle and unrest calling for
men and women of God to unwavering stand with the people in South Sudan towards
propagating and expanding the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
It is imperative to note and realize that the Church
is meant to holistically champion to equipping of the saints in every community
championing for holistic transformation. For instance, equip schools and
provide teacher training, support widows and orphans, purify contaminated
water, care for lepers and the disabled, and support the spiritual development
and growth towards a healthy community.
Avant Ministries is also excited about the development
of projects through our partners on the ground in South Sudan which
provide critical support to activities such as child sponsorship,
literacy training and homework programs, orphans and widows, youth, church
planting and Christian formation as well as many other venues of development.
These ‘open
source’ partnerships are critical as we continue to move
forward in unity toward development in South Sudan.
As an organization we are empowering the local Church
and community through leadership training. The vision is to see grassroots
communities empowered for holistic transformation so that communities and lives
are transformed by the power of God. The vision of this initiative is to
support local community driven initiatives that demonstrate certain level of
creativity, innovativeness and holistic approach that are viable and
sustainable.
This training will continue to evolve and multiply as
the pastors and leaders will continue to train others in these different
facets. The field reported very positive feedback this last training. I would
describe it as “very impactful as the men and women in attendance,
mutually agreed on the topics of Church Planting, Biblical economic and social
development within the church. These people were extremely positive, ready to
serve their communities in South Sudan.
Challenges, Needs and
Prayers for South Sudan
There are some significant needs in South Sudan:
The newly war that broke out caused a lot of fear and
panic nationally and internationally leading to the highest evacuation agencies
experienced than ever before and this may contribute to a great setback and
unrest in the republic of South Sudan, properties destroyed and high cost of
basic needs leading to pathetic living standard of the Sudanese and
non-Sudanese. We are appealing for prayers and God’s intervention through his
own miraculous way for peace and sanity to prevail.
Long term workers on the ground to help provide
accountability and assistance in training and capacity building
Church Planter volunteers who can live on the ground
for up to 3 months or more at a time to administer and facilitate training.
Partners who can help in the area of business
development and micro business as South Sudan moves from relief (dependence on
support from others) to development (independence of support from others).
As the South Sudanese struggle to prepare business
plans, there is a lot more training that needs to take place to help in the
development of this brand new country. We are looking for short term teams to
help facilitate in these areas.
Prioritize modern agricultural development that may
lead to food security in South Sudan
