Sounds of celebration and praise echoed through the village of Lire, South Sudan, as hundreds of people gathered for the dedication of the newly rebuilt church.

Pastor Pawgo led a joyful parade of worshippers, circling the new building three times before he paused on the step and prayed for God’s blessing. When he opened the doors, Lire Church quickly overflowed with people who were delighted to be part of the event.

“With joy and thanksgiving we have met here today to consecrate and dedicate this building to God and for the glory of His name.” Pastor Powgo said. “May it be proclaimed from this house the conviction of those who are guilty and the declaration of forgiveness to all those who sincerely repent and confess their sins.”

People clapped and swayed to the music as choirs took turns leading the congregation in songs, and they listened intently as visiting church leaders shared messages of hope and encouragement.

The smiling face of 80-year-old Pastor Yosepa Petir stood out among the crowd. Pastor Petir started Lire Church in 1942 when he called a small group of believers to together to pray under a mango tree. They planted three more churches in nearby villages even before they had finished building a grass-roof sanctuary for themselves.

Churches in the Kajo Keji region flourished as Sudan’s civil war intensified in the north and spread southward toward Lire and the Ugandan border.

Pastor Petir was preaching in a neighboring village when government troops attacked Lire in 1965. He rushed back to find his home in flames and his wife and children dead.

“The soldiers came and killed without warning,” he said.

Pastor Petir buried his family and escaped into the rugged bush country with other survivors from the village. In exile, he called believers together for worship and prayer.

A remnant from Lire Church survived through decades of civil war until the Comprehensive Peace Agreement of 2005 brought an uneasy peace to the nation. That same year, Samaritan’s Purse began rebuilding churches that had been destroyed during the conflict.

The new Lire Church sanctuary is a symbol of the faith and perseverance for those who survived a troubled past, and a sign of hope for younger generations.

“Youth are attracted to this church and their numbers are increasing,” said 19-year-old Molyan Loboka, whose grandfather was one of the founding members. “I am grateful to my parents. When I come to worship God in this place I will be reminded of their faith, resistance, hard work, and goodwill. I am not only challenged by the Word of God, but also by the example of the faith of our parents.”

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Samaritan's Purse , Sudan , Sudan Churches Project , Faith Lives On