Building God's House

Hundreds celebrate the opening of a new church in Sudan

The village of Jolimo became the center of a great celebration when hundreds of people from miles around gathered for the dedication of the new church.

“God has done something great in Sudan,” Pastor Jonah Ladu told the crowd. “We are going to dedicate this house so that it can be used by God. We are the temple of the living God. As God said, ‘I will live in them and walk among them. I will be their God and they will be my people.’”

Samaritan’s Purse launched a massive church rebuilding program in 2005 following the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. The unsteady truce put an end to one of bloodiest chapters in Sudan’s history.

Thousands of Christians were killed and churches like Jolimo were destroyed when the National Islamic Front launched an effort to impose Islamic sharia law on the mostly non-Muslim south. Jolimo was bombed from the air. The fiery explosions destroyed most of the village, including the church.

Pastor Ladu fled from government troops. He lived in a refugee camp in Uganda, and spent time as a prisoner in Ethiopia. He lost everything and saw friends and family members killed, but never lost hope. Today he is not only the pastor of Jolimo Church but also a district leader, overseeing activities in seven other churches.

“We have been disturbed so much because of war,” Pastor Ladu said. “Most of our churches were destroyed. We prayed to God and He has heard our prayers. God is the one giving us this house through the hand of Samaritan’s Purse.”

Men and women from the congregation helped with every phase of the construction. Teams helped gather sand and crush rock by hand to make concrete mix. They cleared the building site, helped pour a foundation, and make bricks with a metal hand press. Church members aided the Samaritan’s Purse construction crew, building the walls and roof of the new sanctuary.

Every seat was quickly filled when the doors of the new church were opened, with overflow crowds gathering outside around open windows. Visiting church leaders proclaimed the Gospel and local choirs took turns leading the congregation in rousing choruses that shook the foundation and echoed through the community.

Oliver Soma, a former college principal from the town of Goli, gave an invitation for the lost to receive Jesus Christ as Savior.

“You don’t have to go home with your sins,” he said. “You can be forgiven. Leave your sins here, because Jesus is the Master who removes all sins.”

The celebration continued for several hours, but the enthusiasm never waned.

“The reason we have an official opening is to commemorate what God has done in this place.” Pastor Ladu said. “This house is to be a place for worshipping God.”

WAYS YOU CAN HELP

PRAY:

For Sudanese Christians recovering from decades of war and persecution, and for our staff as we rebuild churches destroyed by the conflict.

GIVE:

Visit our donation page to support the Sudan Church Project.

GET INVOLVED:

Discover how your congregation can minister to persecuted believers in Sudan and help rebuild their churches. Download this fillable MS Word document (click here) to order materials. You can also call 1-800-538-1980 or e-mail to order a free Sudan Church Kit or to receive more information about the project.

Samaritan's Purse , Sudan , Sudan Churches Project , Building God’s House