Decades of war and violence have forced over two million South Sudanese to flee to neighbouring countries. It is thought that just over 90,000 of these are in Kenya. Many remain there because, although there is a fragile peace agreement in South Sudan, it is still not safe to return.
Recently, AID was made aware of a community of seven South Sudanese churches in Nakuru, Kenya, led by South Sudanese pastors in exile and overseen by Bishop Abraham Yel Nhial of the Diocese of Aweil, South Sudan. Some of these churches have congregations of up to 600 people. However, these pastors have received no formal theological training and would welcome support as they consider how best to disciple their congregations. We were approached to fund a three-month theological training course at the nearby Berea Theological College to equip two pastors or lay preachers from each of these churches to teach the Bible faithfully. It is our prayer that this will lead to deeper relationships with our Saviour Jesus, resulting in peace, reconciliation, the healing of tribal divisions and refugees’ safe return to their homeland. Each church has committed to contributing USD 100 towards this training, ensuring that there is local agency and motivation for it to go ahead.
The principal of Berea Theological College has devised this new course based on the Moore College (Sydney, Australia) Preliminary Theological Certificate, designed to help participants grow in their knowledge of God and of His Word. The modules are as follows:
- Introduction to the Bible
- The Church
- Promise to Fulfilment
- Early Church History
- The Gospel of Mark
- Knowledge of God
- Christian Ethics
The course has already started and includes placements in the South Sudanese churches based in Nakuru. AID is grateful to the Thermosafe Foundation, the St Mary’s Christian Workers Trust, the St Peter’s Trust and an individual donor for providing the funds necessary to make this possible. Please pray for these students in Nakuru as they take part on the course over the coming months, that they would listen to God speaking to them through His Word, grow in faith and be equipped to serve their churches when they graduate.
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
1 Peter 4:10-11
