NOTE:  SPECIFIC UPDATE FROM FEILD LEADERSHIP:

•       Church Planting
•          Biblical Entrepreneurship Development
•          Theology of Work

INTRODUCTION

It is exciting and most importantly to note that there is an indication of the great transformation that is taking place in South Sudan through leadership empowerment. 

The youth and women are turning up in huge numbers for church planting, biblical entrepreneurship development and Theology of Work education.

My recent training in the second phase in Church Planting, Biblical Entrepreneurship Development and Theology of Work in Kajokeji was overwhelmingly attended by over 40+ leaders although the Country was going through a fresh military war between the government soldiers and the rebels leaving over 200 soldiers feared dead and hundreds of armies nursing severe injuries.

I witnessed hundreds of civilians taking off to Congo and Uganda boarders for safety. Homes were left deserted and animals left without any one to take care. But, I give God glory and honour for the zeal, boldness and courage for Church Planters standing firm to participate in a three days training at Sudan Pentecostal Church. 

We were visited by County commissioner and Acting SPC Overseer who actually encouraged the leaders to stand firm and appreciated for our boldness, zeal and passion to continue with the training while people were running for their safety into the nearing neighbouring countries.

It is my privilege and special honour to take this God given opportunity to invite our partners from all over the world to sacrificially pray and financially contribute towards the liberation of the Sudanese people from the satanic forces of the devil. The land of South Sudan is ripe for mission field and the devil is against the gospel penetrating into the newly (5 years old) created country from the greater Sudan government of Omar Albashir. The country is going through struggle and unrest calling for men and women of God to unwavering stand with the people in South Sudan towards propagating and expanding the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

It is imperative to note and realize that the Church is meant to holistically champion to equipping of the saints in every community championing for holistic transformation. For instance, equip schools and provide teacher training, support widows and orphans, purify contaminated water, care for lepers and the disabled, and support the spiritual development and growth towards a healthy community.

Avant Ministries is also excited about the development of projects through our partners on the ground in South Sudan which provide critical support to activities such as child sponsorship, literacy training and homework programs, orphans and widows, youth, church planting and Christian formation as well as many other venues of development. These ‘open source’ partnerships are critical as we continue to move forward in unity toward development in South Sudan.

As an organization we are empowering the local Church and community through leadership training. The vision is to see grassroots communities empowered for holistic transformation so that communities and lives are transformed by the power of God. The vision of this initiative is to support local community ­driven initiatives that demonstrate certain level of creativity, innovativeness and holistic approach that are viable and sustainable.

This training will continue to evolve and multiply as the pastors and leaders will continue to train others in these different facets. The field reported very positive feedback this last training. I would describe it as “very impactful as the men and women in attendance, mutually agreed on the topics of Church Planting, Biblical economic and social development within the church. These people were extremely positive, ready to serve their communities in South Sudan.

Challenges, Needs and Prayers for South Sudan

There are some significant needs in South Sudan:

The newly war that broke out caused a lot of fear and panic nationally and internationally leading to the highest evacuation agencies experienced than ever before and this may contribute to a great setback and unrest in the republic of South Sudan, properties destroyed and high cost of basic needs leading to pathetic living standard of the Sudanese and non-Sudanese. We are appealing for prayers and God’s intervention through his own miraculous way for peace and sanity to prevail.

Long ­term workers on the ground to help provide accountability and assistance in training and capacity building

Church Planter volunteers who can live on the ground for up to 3 months or more at a time to administer and facilitate training.

Partners who can help in the area of business development and micro business as South Sudan moves from relief (dependence on support from others) to development (independence of support from others).

As the South Sudanese struggle to prepare business plans, there is a lot more training that needs to take place to help in the development of this brand new country. We are looking for short term teams to help facilitate in these areas.

Prioritize modern agricultural development that may lead to food security in South Sudan