Training Bible teachers for South Sudan
Training Bible teachers for South Sudan
Whilst South Sudan is overflowing with churches and pastors, most have not had the opportunity of in-depth Bible training. AID is seeking to change that by supporting South Sudanese theology students during their studies and helping to set up support for their subsequent ministry roles in South Sudan.
In recent years AID has been working with the Bishop Gwynne School of Theology in Juba to send graduates of the College to a theological school in Cape Town, South Africa: George Whitefield College (GWC). GWC is a world-renowned institution providing in-depth theological education. The Bachelor of Theology degree includes subjects such as: Systematic Theology, Church History, Old and New Testament Biblical Studies and Practical Ministry.
We also support students on the Ministry Apprentice Scheme of Living Word Uganda (LWU). The LWU training provides essential Bible teaching skills to graduates of the GWC who have an excellent academic grasp of the Bible.
Our aim is to invest in theological rigour and practical word-teaching ministry skills so that the church leaders of tomorrow in South Sudan can cling on to sound teaching and work to build up the church.
Ephesians 4 v 11-12, 14
“And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherd and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ…so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.”
We need your help to make this happen and to support students at George Whitfield College in South Africa and Living Word Uganda.
“This 3-year full-time programme…will equip you with the education and training needed for a professional ministry, teaching the Word of God and for leadership in a Christian church, community, or organisation. The qualification will give you the opportunity to integrate knowledge of the Christian faith with skills essential to minister and lead Christian communities and contribute to the development and transformation of the broader society.”
Current GWC students
Jok Bayak Luk (left) will graduate from George Whitefield College in December 2025 with plans to train Bible teachers in South Sudanese refugee camps in Uganda and the DRC.
Seme Ludanga Jackson will also graduate in December 2025 and plans to provide high quality Bible training for pastors in Juba, South Sudan.
Where are they now?
Marco Mou graduated from GWC in December 2024 and is now principle of Bishop John Malou Theological College in Aweil, South Sudan, 60 miles south of the border with Sudan.
He is training 26 students to be able to understand and teach the Bible.
Four current lecturers at Bishop Gwynne School of Theology in Juba, South Sudan — Philip, Kasmiro, Elias, and Alex — all received support from Anglican International Development to complete their theological studies at GWC.
The Church's role in national stability
Hundreds of thousands have died in South Sudan over the last decade due to conflict, whilst millions have been displaced, wounded and traumatised. There have been ‘staggering levels of localized violence’ inflicted by ‘community-based militias…[who have been] responsible for almost all killings, injuries, abductions and sexual violence between April and June (2021)’ (Deputy UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Nada Al-Nashif).
Archbishop Justin Badi, leader of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan, believes preaching the gospel and making disciples are key to overcoming suffering in his nation.
"…we talk of violence, we talk of wars… a symptom and demonstration of how shallow the gospel is in the hearts and minds of our people. So my priority will actually be in making and teaching disciples… to reconcile our people, disarm their minds and hearts from all those thoughts and actions of violence, hatred... So we will take it as a priority to preach and teach the gospel to all our people."
It is our prayer that, as more and more church leaders are trained to teach the Bible faithfully, live godly lives and make disciples, the light of Christ will transform South Sudan.
How can I help?
Please pray
- Pray for the staff and students at George Whitefield College, Bishop Gwynne School of Theology and Living Word Uganda as they persevere in their teaching and studies, that God would guide them in their roles to ‘equip his people for works of service’ (Ephesians 4).
- Ask that He would bless this ministry long-term, helping the South Sudanese Church to ‘grow and build itself up in love.’
- Pray for the Church to help transform South Sudan’s ongoing conflict.
Please give
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