A Glimpse into the Ministries of God’s Faithful Sudanese Church Leaders
Sudan has long endured war, corruption, and injustice. On the global stage, the current conflict rarely makes the headlines. It can sometimes feel as though the world has forgotten Sudan. But God has not. His work continues, even amid deep suffering. Many of our Sudanese students and graduates remain faithfully engaged in ministry, both within Sudan and among Sudanese refugees in neighboring countries while being refugees themselves. Some have lost loved ones, and most have been forced to flee their homes and churches, leaving behind years of hard work. Nonetheless, they offer us a powerful testimony of resilience and unwavering hope in Christ. The following are updates from a few of our Sudanese graduates and students.
Yousif and Sousanna, a married couple once serving side by side in Sudan, were forced apart by the conflict. As a pastor of the Sudanese Faith Baptist Church, Yousif had to relocate to the north of the country. He shared how witnessing the immense suffering around him ignited a deep resolve to be a catalyst for change. By God’s grace, the church remained active and launched a variety of ministries, including discipleship programs, preaching and teaching ministries, and children and youth outreach, demonstrating the unwavering power of the Gospel even in the darkest of times. Many came to faith in Christ including a young woman called Nabila. She attended one of the church’s training workshops feeling broken and hopeless. Later she shared that she had been living in emotional and spiritual chains for a long time and had lost hope. However, by the end of the training Nabila experienced a sense of freedom and hope, and she proclaimed Jesus as her Savior. For Yousif and his team, her story stands as one testimony of God’s Spirit working through their ministry.
On the other hand, Sousanna fled with their child to a safer area in South Sudan. Upon her arrival, she quickly observed how limited the church activities were. Having already prayed that God would use her wherever she went, she refused to remain passive and started a literacy program for children in the church and surrounding community. God also used Sousanna to answer a pressing need and initiate a ministry for counseling support that was adopted by the church. Many in the community were carrying deep emotional wounds from the ongoing refugee crisis; wounds they either didn’t recognize or didn’t know how to process. Sousanna also noticed that many women couldn’t attend church regularly due to constant home and work responsibilities. In response, God opened doors for her to begin making home visits, creating meaningful opportunities for spiritual conversations beyond the church walls. Her team also visits the sick who are unable to attend services, praying for both their spiritual and physical healing.
Abu Kindy, who remained in Sudan, testifies to God’s continued faithfulness even in the midst of war. He shared how church attendance has grown and how the ministry has expanded. With his team, they launched an outreach initiative in a new area where they now host Bible study, church leadership training, and a variety of programs alongside other committed leaders. Reflecting on this journey, he shared:
Despite the many challenges and hardships we are facing, God has not abandoned us for a single moment, especially in our ministry. This situation has helped us fix our eyes on Him and draw nearer to Him. It has also strengthened the church during this exceptional time, building our unity through corporate prayer and the sharing of each other’s needs.
Philemon shared that his church in Sudan was forced to pause most ministry activities for two years during the height of the war, but God has been opening new opportunities since then. One of these was a leadership training workshop in a refugee shelter in Uganda, where he currently resides. Despite the challenges of ministering in a context where many had professed faith in Christ but lacked a solid biblical understanding, Philemon remained committed to his call to build up the church. He taught on essential discipleship topics such as being born again, the importance of consistent prayer, feeding the spirit with God’s word, the fruit of the Spirit, and spiritual warfare. His perseverance bore fruit; the participants became better equipped with a clearer understanding of God’s word and a stronger spiritual foundation, enabling them to be salt and light in their communities.
Another Sudanese graduate, who is now pastoring a church in Libya, reflected on how God has worked through his time at ABTS to prepare him for ministry. He shared:
By the grace of the Lord and through the prayers of the local church, we have witnessed God’s hand at work in the expansion of the ministry. Many have come to faith in Christ, and we have seen clear spiritual growth among believers. Some are now leading home groups, while others have taken on leadership roles within the church. Studying at ABTS has greatly enhanced my ministry. The courses covering foundational themes like grace, salvation, forgiveness, and hope have been deeply practical and have equipped me to better serve.
Gozoli, who was separated from his family when they fled to Egypt, shared about many challenges his church had faced. When the church building was eventually able to reopen, the congregation returned only to discover that all the furniture and belongings had been stolen. Yet, their love for Christ remained unshaken. Refusing to be discouraged, they borrowed small children’s chairs from the kids’ ministry for their meetings. Today, Gozoli leads training sessions for Sunday School teachers and organizes group workshops focused on peacemaking within his community. Every Wednesday, he gathers with a group for a Bible study session followed by a time of prayer.
Elia faced the painful closure of his church building, and all its members were forced out. Yet, he remained undeterred. Together with the congregation, he relocated to another region within Sudan and continued serving despite everything. He now leads a discipleship group that includes twenty participants. They have also launched a weekly online ministry to reach more people. Their ministry extends beyond spiritual needs, as they also work to meet the essential daily and nutritional needs of those they serve. The team is praying that they will find a new location for their church gatherings.
These are just a few of the many powerful testimonies from our Sudanese students and graduates. In the face of displacement, destruction, and loss, God continues to raise up faithful leaders who proclaim His name boldly. Especially amid war, the way the Holy Spirit moves becomes more evident, drawing hearts to Christ and expanding His Kingdom. As we reflect on these stories, we are encouraged by how God is working through them, and we are moved to continue praying for them. We are also humbled to know how God has used ABTS to equip these faithful leaders for challenging times like these. May they continue to be obedient to His call all the days of their lives.
Abu Kindy in Ministry
Philemon in Ministry
Peacemaking Training – Church Ministry