SSPEC General Assembly Update

 Last week pastors and delegates arrived in Juba for the South Sudan Presbyterian Evangelical Church (SSPEC) General Assembly. I met two men living in Nairobi who said they had not been to Juba for at least 5 years. Three pastors who lived in the far north region of Abyeyi arrived. Some church leaders in Juba called or wrote letters to people who might be able to help transport those who were still looking for a way to get to Juba. It was a last minute scramble against many challenges. Several regions of South Sudan were experiencing severe floods, so planes were not able to land and they could not travel by road. There was political unrest in Khartoum that closed down the airport. Everyone wondered if enough people would be there to hold the meeting.

The banner for the meeting

On Tuesday, everyone showed up at the Atlabara church to register. I enjoyed seeing small groups of people connecting and talking. People who had been colleagues in Bible school many years ago were thrilled to finally see each other again. I enjoyed meeting some of the people I had heard about and learning more about some of the rural congregations where significant Kingdom work is taking place despite many challenges.

Delegates gathering in the courtyard of the church

On Wednesday, the meeting opened with worship led by the local youth choir and a presentation of the vision and current status of SSPEC. In the process of confirming a quorum, several people raised the concern that because many people had not been able to make it to the meeting, that it should be postponed until a later date. There was long discussion about this, with several different people sharing their views. The leadership met together to assess and understand the desire of the participants. Finally, they decided to confirm the quorum and then determine how to proceed. A quorum was confirmed, and then the motion was passed to postpone the meeting. A vote was taken with a large majority agreeing to postpone the meeting until March when it would be more likely that other people would be able to attend. Several people told me that that they felt that postponing the meeting was the best way to promote the unity of the church, since people who were absent would feel excluded if they had proceeded.

The Moderator, Rev. James Par Tap opens the meeting

We are grateful to those who prayed for this meeting, and trust that God will continue to lead and provide for the unity of the church and for this meeting to be held. Since a General Assembly has not been held for nine years, there are many significant issues to be addressed, including the election of new leadership. Please continue to pray for God to guide and provide as plans are made for this meeting to be held in March.

Resilience amid Suffering*

Recently, on a Friday afternoon I went to see the Academic Dean at Nile Theological College where I teach, but instead I found three pastors and an evangelist gathered in his office, visiting from Abyei and Aweil, two areas bordering Sudan to the North, one area contested with Sudan. As we ate together, along with two of my students who are from this region, I listened to them recount stories of losing everything and starting over again, multiple times. I was at a loss for words, especially as I saw their joy and listened to stories of faith and faithfulness amid incredible loss, trial, and pain.

Rev. Myien Bol,
lead pastor in Abyei

 

Rev. Amiok Piol and Evangelist Kual Majak
serving one church and two preaching centers in Abyei 

Recently I spent a  Sunday afternoon with a sprightly elderly woman and members of her family who lost everything during the war and who experienced trauma. As I listened to this woman share her passion for reconciling broken communities because of her Christian faith, and how the example of missionary women inspired her to live a life of service and leadership, my friend David and I sat in awe and gratitude for the faithfulness of our dear mother in the faith and for those who have gone before her. So often I have felt unworthy to live and serve here in South Sudan, being surrounded by persons such as these, and by the living witness of those who came decades before. In living and serving in this land, I continually receive blessings and inspiration beyond measure. “Neshkur Rabuna!” We give thanks to the Lord.

*This blog post is a slightly adjusted Facebook post from Sunday, October 31st.