Description of the Mission Context:
Southern Sudan:
Is a region of Sudan, comprising ten of that country’s states. The Sudanese government agreed to give autonomy to the region in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) signed on January 9, 2005. in Naivasha, Kenya with the SPLA/M, tentatively bringing an end to the second Sudanese Civil War 1983-2005. A referendum is scheduled for 2011 on whether to remain in the greater Sudan or to become an independent nation. Southern Sudan borders Ethiopia to the East, Kenya, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo to the South and the Central African Republic to the West. To the North lies the predominantly Arab and Muslim region directly under the control of the central government, with its capital at Khartoum.
Southern Sudan, also known as the NEW SUDAN, has nearly all of its administrative offices in Juba, the capital, and the city with the largest population.
Southern Sudanese predominantly practice traditional indigenous beliefs and Christianity, particularly the Episcopal Church of the Sudan and the Roman Catholic Church. In the South one can also see numerous ethnic groups and languages than are found in the North. It is widely agreed that the largest ethnic groups in the South is Dinka, followed by Nuer. Other Nilotic peoples include the Bari and Shilluk.
In addition to what has been mentioned above, Sudan has been a country at war for 39 years. The last southern conflict dates from 1983 with a Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) being signed on January 9, 2005. After 3 years of negotiation between the Sudan Peoples Liberation Army (SPLA) and the Government of Sudan (GoS). The Former SPLA Leader John Garang was sworn in as Vice-President on 9 July 2005 (died in 2006) and the new interim constitution was approved. An on going war in Darfur and rising tensions across the rest of the country threaten to derail the success of any overall peace process and peace dividend to the Sudanese people. Many issues remain unresolved within the peace agreement and despite the development of the UN Peacekeepers and international donor funds there is ongoing insecurity, little progress in regards to improving the living conditions of the population and the possibility of a return to conflict.
The conflict in the Sudan has been typified by the inter-tribe/clan conflicts fueled by the aggressors who often arm and equipped proxy fighters in an effort to avoid direct responsibility. This strategy has repeatedly led to destruction of homes, livelihoods, means of production and infrastructure. Millions have been displaced. More than two million unnecessary deaths have been attributed to the last 21 years of war. The existence of militia groups outside the currently negotiated SPLA/GoS brokered agreement and the potential splits within the SPLA remain the greatest threat to the success of the six-year implementation period of the CPA. Currently the implementation of the CPA is very slow and there is increased insecurity in many areas of Upper Nile and Equitoria.
The conflict has destroyed virtually all infrastructures in this vast region. Access is possible by air to most locations. Social and civil activity has been severely affected by the war, lack of government, and loss of authority of traditional leaders to those with guns. Health facilities remain few and often inaccessible for most people. The availability of trained personnel remains inadequate. Food security has been constantly been threatened by large population displacements and raiding due to fighting and adverse weather conditions. It is a setting where large-scale epidemics and famine can (and have) easily claimed thousands of victims before any news reaches the rest of the world. A list of major health concerns include kalaazar, malaria, respiratory tract infections, gastrointestinal diseases, malnutrition, tuberculosis, meningococcal meningitis, cholera, measles, whooping cough (pertussis), sleeping sickness, STIs (Sexually Transmitted Infections), etc. Outbreaks of disease are common, epidemics are a regular occurrence.
The aforementioned accounts are just a tip of the iceberg of the real picture of Southern Sudan. Spiritually, this region of Sudan or of Africa has been reached by the Gospel and according to one informant from a local Presbyterian church in Nasir, Christianity has been in Southern Sudan for almost 107 years now.
Paul mentioned in his Letter to the Romans in Chapter 15 (vv. 19,20) that he made it a rule NOT TO PREACH where Christ has been known, and for most part of the developed or developing world, Africa has been a target of Christian mission.
Spiritual Survey of Southern Sudan:
Southern Sudan, specifically the Upper Nile State has been Christianize for more than a century ago. In Nasir (Naseer) were there are five existing Christian denominations: Presbyterian, Lutheran, Church of God, Adventist and some small independent churches. There is also a mosque here for the Islamic faith.
In Lankien (in one of MSF mission project), there are a lot of different denominations such as the Church of God, Presbyterian church, 7th day Adventist, Jerusalem Church of God (where Christians worship on a Sabbath day and celebrates the Passover Feast). There is a church named Woondeng Church which is one of the Roman Catholic churches in the area. Pieri and Leer have the presence of the same denominations/churches.
Despite of a more than a hundred years existence of Christianity in Southern Sudan, most of it remained desolate and depressing. In spite that the Gospel have reached this place, cultural and traditional bondage is still very strong. Church life is just a mere religious obligation and rituals but the spirituality is down and low. In one of my conversation with a Sudanese Christian, who is an Elder of a church – I shared with him and his group my deep faith to my God and King, Jesus Christ and they just laughed at me because in this life, according to these “Christians”, it must not be “just faith” there must be a human factor involved (sacrificing spirituality with practicality). I also observed that the Christians here in Southern Sudan are mostly nominal Christians…as I have mentioned earlier, merely religious, and not totally and deeply related to the God of Christianity who is Jesus Christ.
Churches here, likewise, lack the Great Commission Mandate, everyone are professing and are proud to be called Christians but not a trace of Christian lifestyle can be observed among professing Christians. Never have I observed them (among my religious Christian staff) shared the goodness, love and healing power of Jesus Christ.
Spiritual Needs of the Region:
The churches and church leaders in Southern Sudan must revisit and review the mandate of God and the preaching and teaching of Jesus Christ, but even if the Christians here will review and re-read God’s revelations in the Bible, they will remain to be blind because of the “veil” that has been covering their spiritual eyes due to cultural and traditional bondage (not to mention the famine brought about fighting and natural causes). Repentance is essential in order for the people of Southern Sudan to be healed from their spiritual as well as physical ailments. Repentance is elemental for the curse in the land to be lifted up (see 2 Chronicles 7:14).
In a book that I have read about Southern Sudan (Emma’s War), Sudan was mentioned in the Scriptures, specifically in the Book of Isaiah 18:7. A curse was mentioned in this verse in the Bible, but a curse will only remain a curse only if the people with remain stiffed neck and stubborn…repentance is the key to deliverance…in God’s wrath He will always remember His mercy.
If anyone is planning to embark on a mission in Sudan, please do not ever, ever bring Christianity there for “it” has been there even before you’ve thought of it. Never, ever bring your denominations there; people are confused enough (one of my Christian staff asked me, “if there is only one God, one Jesus Christ and one Holy Spirit, why are there so many Churches with different teachings?”). What is needed here is not revival but transformation (See Romans 12:2) and how will these come about? Sudan needs missionaries who are not "denominationally" (church denomination) oriented, who really knows God’s mandate, who does not carries the doctrines of man (denominational doctrines, which St. Paul hates so much, see Romans 15).
Leadership training on the Gospel of the Kingdom and not of whatever gospel that we’ve learned in the church where we belong is what Sudan needs…The Gospel has been preached in Sudan, what was missing is the “teaching” of Jesus (See Matthew 28:19). One of the teaching of Jesus Christ is Faith and Power…and these are missing in the churches, church leaders and people…powerless, faithless Christians – these does not pleases God.
Training on the Great Commission. Every Sudanese Christians must settle in their hearts that he/she was not saved to be mere church members and goers, he/she must realized that he/she was redeemed to be GREAT COMMISSIONERS, AMBASSADORS FOR CHRIST. A white man (khawaja) or a Filipino Christian is not the best apostle for the Sudanese – it’s the Sudanese themselves, because they all share the same culture, language, expressions and color.
A Glimpse of Kenya:
In all the mission fellowships that I attended, there were many “who were called” who were dreaming to serve the Lord in Africa. Many were aspiring to be in Kenya. An African country with a land area of 580,400 km2 and a population of 32,849,169. The capital city of which is Nairobi. The languages spoken in Kenya are Swahili, English and Kikuyu.
Religions :
Christian: 80.00%
African traditional: 12.00%
Muslim: 7.00%
Baha'i: 1.00%
Statistics for Christianity:
Protestants: 10,717,500 (includes African Inland Church, Presbyterian
Church of East Africa, Baptists, Methodists, Lutherans, Full
Gospel churches)
Catholics: 8,000,000
Anglicans: 3,500,000
Orthodox: 621,200
Independent: 6,555,820
Lately however, Kenya has witnessed the mushrooming of what are referred to as Pentecostal churches (see Independent congregations above). In Nairobi, the most popular ones include
* Nairobi Pentecostal Church
* Nairobi Lighthouse Church
* Redeemed Gospel Church
* Deliverance Church
* Jesus is Alive Ministries
* Jubilee Christian Centre
During my break from my field work in Southern Sudan, I had a chance to move around the suburbs of Nairobi and rural and remote areas of Kenya. Like in Kawangware, Mucatha, Komarock, Kahuho, Kiserian, Maususwa (all were outskirts nearby towns around Nairobi).Narok is another place about 2 ½ hour drive by land (rough roads) from Nairobi. (information courtesy of Engr Benny Melegrito of Eriksson Company)
The areas by the foot of Mt. Kenya (second highest peak, next to Mt. Kilimanjaro), the town called Kerinyaga one can observe almost one Christian church every 10 to 15 kms. radius
In the Eastern part of the country, in the towns; Embu, Kathiani, Kabati and Tulia where I was also privileged to visit, many African Inland Churches are scattered almost in remote, inland places. To make a long story short…Christianity in Kenya has been there for more a hundred years now (in one of the African Inland
Church of Kenya where I attended one Sunday worship, I read a banner indicating church anniversary 1895-1995).
Furthermore, ecclesiastical knowledge and scriptural exegesis or hermeneutics is not important neither in Sudan nor in Kenya (and true in many parts of the continent of Africa). One needs to be INCARNATIONAL…no word, no scriptures, but the LOVE of Christ expressed in serving and helping the people. If one is embarking for a “Christian Incarnational Mission” in Sudan and Kenya (or in Africa as a whole), first of all one must consult God first if he/she is one of the chosen to serve in Africa. If one is definitely sure (100%) that he/she is chosen, the following are the felt needs of the people:
1. Food & Nutrition
2. Water & Sanitation
3. Livelihood
4. Shelter
5. Health Care & Hygiene Programs
6. Psychological & Emotional Support
7. Sustainable agriculture
8. Improvement in cattle raising
9. Poultry raising
Funds to be raised are not mere thousands, one must think of MILLIONS OF DOLLARS in order for the mission to be long term and sustainable. Careful planning and logistics is vital in embarking a Christian Mission in Africa (wisdom from the Lord of the Mission is very vital for many have faith, many likewise falters).
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