ASTOUNDING ANSWERS to PRAYER in SUDAN
Under Jihad and Sharia
When Frontline Fellowship began to minister in Sudan over 26 years ago, the situation was most severe. Sudan, then the largest country in Africa, was in the grip of the longest war in African history, under a radical Jihadist dictatorship, which enforced Islamic Sharia law on all.
Genocidal Scorched Earth
No missionaries were allowed, the government of Sudan were waging a genocidal scorched earth campaign against the Christians of Southern Sudan and in the Nuba Mountains of South Kordofan.
Serving the Suffering
Yet, by God’s grace, we succeeded in smuggling in hundreds of thousands of Bibles and Christian books, we helped to establish over 100 Primary schools and a high school, a number of Bible Colleges and Medical clinics and provide them with thousands of Christian textbooks.
Freedom for South Sudan
On 9 July 2011, South Sudan was recognised as an independent state and its secession from Sudan internationally recognised.
Reversal of Fortunes
Two years ago, Sudan’s dictator, Omar Al-Bashir, after almost 30 years in power, was overthrown and put on trial for corruption, oppression and murder. Sudan also pledged to hand over Al-Bashir to the International Criminal Court (ICC) to face trial on war crimes and genocide charges. This was the first time in the modern history of the Arab world that an architect of a coup went on trial.
Dramatic Developments
In the last two years, a series of astounding developments have been announced. A Declaration for Freedom of Religion was signed by the Transitional Government. A Religious Affairs minister was appointed to ensure Freedom of Religion. The Apostasy Law under which many Muslims who converted to Christianity had been executed, was scrapped. Public flogging was abolished. A process aimed at restoring democratic civilian rule was begun. Restrictions on NGO’s were lifted by the government. Laws abusing women have been scrapped. For the first time in 30 years, publishers in Sudan have been promised Freedom of the Press.
Peace Accord Agreement
The government of Sudan has signed Declarations of Peace with rebel groups, including the SPLA-N in the Nuba and with the government of South Sudan.
Hopeful Answers to Prayers for Peace and Freedom with Justice
Although we have been praying for peace and freedom with justice, these astounding developments have exceeded the hopes and prayers of many of us. It has also enabled our Mission teams to deliver hundreds of thousands of Bibles and Christian books to hundreds of schools and churches throughout the remote Nuba Mountains of South Kordofan, an island of Christianity in a sea of Islam.
A New Era of Opportunity
Churches are being rebuilt; schools are being established. Boreholes are being dug, farms are being cultivated, crops harvested. Christians in Sudan are daring to hope for a new era of unprecedented opportunities to fulfil the Great Commission in what has been, for centuries, a strictly Islamic state.
A Call for Ongoing Prayer
Please continue to pray for the Christians in Sudan and for our ongoing mission projects in the Nuba Mountains of South Kordofan. “Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the Word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have Faith.” 2 Thessalonians 3:1-2
Learn More of this Incredible Country
For the background to this colossal conflict, see Sudan in Crisis at a Crossroads.
To understand the incredible courage and resilience of the Nuba Christians, see the film: Missions to the Nuba Mountains of Sudan (also available in German and French). To understand Sudan’s history, read Faith Under Fire in Sudan.
Dr. Peter Hammond
Frontline Fellowship
P.O. Box 74 Newlands 7725
Cape Town South Africa
mission@frontline.org.za
www.idop-africa.org
www.FrontlineMissionSA.org
See also:
An Overview of Sudan in History
Why Did Christianity Die Out in Northern Sudan?
Sudan’s Former Dictator Omar Al-Bashir Goes on Trial
Promising Prospects of Peace in the Nuba Mountains of Sudan
