Children of Hope

A new church inspires a new generation in South Sudan

The sight and sound of children singing songs of celebration was a sign of hope for people who arrived for the dedication of the Kimu Church in South Sudan. The youthful voices lifted in joyful praise offered promise for a brighter future in a nation recovering from a tragic past.

The new sanctuary made of concrete blocks and structural steel is the first permanent building in the community. It stands as a symbol of God’s faithfulness, and is the focal point for a community and a nation that is struggling to rebuild from the ashes of a brutal civil war. In Kimu alone, more than 1,000 people lost their lives during the conflict.

Pastor Anthony Poggo led hundreds of believers in a grand procession, circling the church three times. Following a Scripture reading and prayer, the ribbon draped across the front door was cut and the sanctuary built by Samaritan’s Purse was quickly filled with enthusiastic believers, singing songs of praise.

“Because we have faith in Jesus Christ, we are dedicating this place to God,” Pastor Poggo said. “May God bless you all, and may God bless Samaritan’s Purse.”

Sudan’s battling armies signed the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in 2005, allowing millions of people to safely return to their villages and providing Samaritan’s Purse with a window of opportunity to rebuild more than 340 village churches that had been destroyed during the war.

The nation is looking ahead to 2011 with anticipation. That’s when the people of South Sudan will vote on independence. Some fear that the central government in Khartoum will not allow the vote to take place and risk losing control over potential oil fields in the south.

Praying for a peaceful future, Pastor Poggo stressed the importance of studying the Bible and raising godly children.

“The Bible tells us that the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom,” he said. “So let our children be taught while they are young. We need to make the teaching of the Word of God our first priority, and then pray and tell people the Good News. If we follow what the Bible says, we will not fear anything.”

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.