Sudan (MNN)–Tensions are running high in Sudan, just two and a half weeks after the death of the new Vice President.
There are concerns that Dr. John Garang’s absence from the process could collapse the entire power sharing peace accord.
SIM’s Steve Strauss agrees that without the architect of the accord, war is a possibility. “The impact of all of this is the whole peace process is hanging rather tenuously. We really need for Christian folks around the world to be praying that God will allow the peace to go forward.”
Strauss says SIM partnered with churches in Nigeria and Ethiopia to send out teacher/evangelists into southern Sudan.
Twenty years of war deprived thousands of children in South Sudan of education. They are sending 50 teacher/evangelists to South Sudan to set up 25 teacher training centers in areas where the Sudan Interior Church (SIC) is active.
They hope to train as many as 750 elementary teachers. At the same time, Evening Bible Schools at the training centers will prepare pastors for the SIC, which enjoyed explosive growth during the years of war and suffering.
That project was finally seeing fruit, Strauss explains, but: “All of that could be in jeopardy depending on what happens as a result of the plane crash, and the death of John Garang, so we just need people to pray that God will allow the peace process to go forward, and allow us to continue ministry in South Sudan.”
