Tuesday, May 20, 2008

The Call of God to Sudan

Sudan has suffered through two lengthy civil wars since 1956. In January, 2005 a comprehensive peace agreement was signed to end the Second Sudanese Civil War, develop democratic governance countrywide and set a timetable by which Southern Sudan would have a referendum on its independence. The referendum is scheduled for 2011. The Sudanese people I know have high expectations that national independence will become a reality at that time.

I believe NOW is the time Christians should prepare to serve in 'New Sudan.' There is now a huge need for a holistic approach to meeting the various needs of the people of Sudan. Physical and institutional infrastructure has been severely degraded and millions of people have been displaced as a result of recent wars. Church planting and supporting services are priority, but they must be accompanied by assistance in the fields of health, education, agriculture, trades training and small business training, etc.

Nancy and I hosted day of prayer and planning for missions in Sudan at the Richland Hills Church of Christ in Fort Worth, TX on May 17, 2008. The meeting was attended by 21 people representing teams in formation, Sudanese nationals, leaders of interested supporting churches, missionary candidates and others considering missions in Sudan. The purpose of the meeting was to hear reports on recent missions to Sudan, to share plans for service there and pray the Lord of Harvests to raise up and send forth workers to the fields ready and ripe for the gospel. For more information, contact me at missions@mrnet.org