November 2024
“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever” (Psalms 107:1).
Dear Friends of PIEI-ACCLD South Sudan,
We wish you a Happy Thanksgiving and God's special blessings for you and your family in Jesus' mighty name. Thank you for your faithful partnership in pursuing and furthering the Great Commission in South Sudan and the East African refugee camps. Your prayers and financial support have enabled us to provide much-needed biblical and leadership training and discipleship programs, and we are very thankful to you. May “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace” (Numbers 6:24-26).
Beloved, I am deeply grateful to provide you with an impactful report on the significance of our training and follow-up programs. PIEI-ACCLD South Sudan focuses on two essential components: training and follow-up. Our team revisits the churches where pastors have completed our training program to evaluate its impact on numerical growth, improved preaching, dynamic Sunday and youth ministries, responsible stewardship of resources, and peace and conflict resolution. The follow-up process is a vital part of our ministry. It allows us to assess the effectiveness of our training program and serves as an important evaluative tool, demonstrating our commitment to continuous improvement.
This photo depicts a gathering of host and refugee pastors meeting for the first time under the spiritual guidance of PIEI-ACCLD. We believe it is both spiritually and relationally essential to extend our training program to the host pastors, who play a vital role in fostering and strengthening relationships between the host and refugee communities. According to ReliefWeb International, as of June 30, 2024, the Kakuma refugee camp is home to 289,681 refugees and asylum-seekers. The follow-up provides a clearer understanding of local churches' needs to advance the Great Commission effectively.
We have observed that escalating tribal and clan animosities within the camp are hindering the Church's ability to lead people to Christ. These animosities stem from the pastors' lack of preparation for ministry, resulting in many pastors harboring unforgiveness towards their fellow pastors from different tribes or clans. Led by the Lord, I preached on the themes of biblical forgiveness, peace, and reconciliation at St. Andrews Episcopal Church, following the example set by Jesus: "…Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing" (Luke 23:34). I stressed that in heaven, there are no tribes, clans, or denominations—only saints.
I followed up with Pastor James Nyadung from the African Inland Church (AIC) Murle congregation in Kakuma 4 to assess the impact of the 158 plastic chairs we helped them purchase. I was delighted to discover that Bible study groups have been formed and are thriving, especially among the youth and women who genuinely thirst for the Word of God.
The AIC congregation lacks tribal Bibles, yet the young people actively seek to understand and fulfill God's will. This reflects God's love for His people, transcending tribe, race, or social status. Additionally, AIC demonstrates excellent stewardship in caring for their plastic chairs. After the service, I invited AIC leaders to join me and my sister for lunch and fellowship at her house in another part of the camp.
Further, I followed up with Pastor Jacob, curate at St. Stephen, where I preached on "Hope in Times of Despair." Pastor Jacob and his congregation are pursuing sound teachings. He attributed his remarkable spiritual leadership to our training and discipleship programs, offering him the skills to preach, lead, and reconcile his community well. Pastor Jacob has vibrant Bible Study Groups, a Women's Program, and Sunday and Youth Ministries in his church. Our partners' support is crucial in enhancing Pastor Jacob's leadership and the thriving of church programs. God uses PIEI-ACCLD South Sudan to influence pastors and community leaders to transform their churches and communities. PIEI-ACCLD recognized the importance of strengthening collaboration with Cornerstone Ministries International, led by Pastor John Eyanae in Kakuma Town, where I preached about “Oneness in Christ.” In a spirit of prayer, the leadership of Cornerstone Ministries International requested that PIEI-ACCLD consider training their pastors on topics including the Tour of the Bible, Theology of Work, Stewardship, and ministries focused on Children, Youth, and Women. While we did not make any promises, we encouraged them to seek God's guidance.
Our research identified gaps in children's and youth ministries. However, every church should have vibrant children's and youth ministries, especially if its pastors have completed our Tour of the Bible Training. PIEI-ACCLD believes that children are the foundation of tomorrow's church, and we are committed to training their pastors and Sunday school teachers to help the children grow in their knowledge of God. “…Jesus called them to Him and said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God” (Luke 18:16). Our mission is to nurture and invest in children by planting four essential seeds:
The seed of a relationship with Jesus.
The seed of a love for God’s Word.
The seed of serving the Church.
The seed of a willingness to evangelize and share their faith stories.
**Prayer Requests**
Pray for God to provide funds to train and disciple more pastors and purchase land in Juba, S. Sudan, that will serve as our headquarters and training center.
Please pray for my wife, Rachel, for God to restore her health.
Pray for wisdom, discernment, and courage to spearhead the vision and mission of PIEI-ACCLD.
Pray for refugees from Sudan who escaped war and sought refuge in S. Sudan that they may find salvation, protection, and provision.
Pray for our U.S. Partnership Committee for God’s favor upon them as they lead and mobilize funds to further the Great Commission in S. Sudan and the East African refugee camps.
Follow-up is a vital aspect of PIEI-ACCLD South Sudan's ministries. It allows us to evaluate and confirm the scope and depth of the impact made in local churches attended by pastors and church leaders who participated in our training. We visit these churches to observe how our trained pastors preach, lead Bible study groups, manage resources, and foster reconciliation in communities affected by tribal and clan conflict. We are truly grateful to our Ministry Partners, whose prayers and financial support form the foundation of our efforts to promote the Great Commission in South Sudan and the East African refugee camps. To support God's work in South Sudan and refugee camps, you can make an online donation by using the donate button below. You can also write a check payable to Partners in Evangelism International and mail it to PIEI, 3441 North Cicero Avenue, Chicago, IL 60641—memo: South Sudan-ACCLD Ministry.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Yours Faithfully,
Dominic Deng A. Machar,
National Director, Partners In Evangelism International—African Center for Christian Leadership and Development (PIEI-ACCLD).