Christian Education South Sudan Prepared for First Presbyterian Church Norfolk
Christian Education South Sudan THE NEED In spite of unthinkable hardship and persecution, the church in South Sudan has remained faithful and continues to grow. However, widespread illiteracy prevents most laypeople and many church leaders from reading God’s Word for themselves. They also lack the Bibles and Christian literature that are essential to discipleship and spiritual growth. OUR RESPONSE
“I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Blessed are you, O LORD; teach me your statutes!” — Psalm 119:11-12 ESV
To combat illiteracy in South Sudan and make the Scriptures accessible to these people that so desperately crave truth, Samaritan’s Purse created the Biblical Literacy and Discipleship program. We provide free training resources, Bibles, and other Christian literature, materials that are difficult to come by in South Sudan. The first phase of the program is a four-month literacy class. Once the group has learned to read, they move on to a four-month discipleship course, which is facilitated by pastors and church leaders who receive training from Samaritan’s Purse. BECAUSE YOU GAVE With your help, believers hungry to grow in their faith now have copies of God’s Word, illiterate people have the opportunity to read and write for the first time, and pastors are being trained to share the Gospel and distribute Bibles throughout their communities. Your gift has been used to impact the South Sudanese church in the following ways: A total of 15,045 English Bibles were delivered to the Yida refugee camp in March 2015. By the end of April, 1,203 students were attending Biblical literacy classes. A total of 1,148 Bibles were given to 41 local churches located in the Yida. Bibles were distributed to coaches leading the sports ministry program, as well as Sunday school teachers to aid in their Bible lesson preparation. The Bibles were also sent to the refugee camp in Maban County, where 812 Bibles will be used in coordination with screenings of the Jesus Film and church leader trainings. Our base in Akuem received 2,240 Bibles to be distributed among local churches and ministry partners in the area. 168 Bibles were sent to a ministry organization that works in Sudan to train pastors.
On behalf of Franklin Graham, thank you for generously providing Bibles for the people of South Sudan. Through your compassion, Samaritan’s Purse is touching lives in Jesus’ Name.
Christian Education South Sudan
The majority of the adult students enrolled in the program would have never had the opportunity to learn to read and write. But because you gave, these men and women will be able to read the scriptures for themselves and understand the eternal truths of the Gospel.
Each Bible will be used to provide believers with a solid foundation of Biblical understanding. Discipling the church in South Sudan creates opportunities for people to reach their families with the Good News, and eventually change the future of their community and nation.