Sudan

Sudan is the largest country in Africa. It is cut in half from south to north by the Nile River. Its capitol, Khartoum, sits where the white and blue Nile rivers meet, before heading up into Egypt. It is bordered by eight different countries and by the Red Sea. The Biblical terms "Cush" and "Ethiopia" refer to the area that is part of modern day Sudan. There are over 100 languages spoken in Sudan. Some have been partially reached with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Many have not.

In 1983 the Government of Sudan decided to place the nation under Islamic, Sharia Law. Almost immediately those who did not want to be brought under the rule of Islam began a revolution. Sudan is a country divided – the Muslim north and the Christian and South region. The south has been trying to separate from the north for some time and the resultant conflict has made continuing missionary work difficult and intermittent. It is estimated that at least 2 million, mostly civilians, have died in this civil war.

Some have cited the church in Sudan as perhaps the most persecuted in the world. At the same time it is felt by others that the church in Sudan may be the fastest growing in the world.

FCM began ministry in South Sudan in 2004. At present we are helping by prayer and financial support especially in the area of theological and administrative training for men and women selected by Jeffrey’s Kayanga, pastor of the Episcopal Church in Lui, Sudan.

The vision of FCM in Sudan is to have a trained clergy as well as capable administrators and educators—secular and theological. The church leaders believe that after a generation with no educational opportunity there is an open door to reach the next generation through schools. FCM has been invited to help strengthen the church and prepare pastors, evangelists and teachers to minister to this war-torn, needy country that has one of the most rapidly growing churches in the world.


Country Facts

Area: 2,505,810 sq km; slightly more than one-quarter the size of the US
Population: 40,187,486 (July 2005 est.)
Religions: Sunni Muslim 70% (in north), indigenous beliefs 25%, Christian 5% (mostly in south and Khartoum)
Language: Arabic (official), Nubian, Ta Bedawie, diverse dialects of Nilotic, Nilo-Hamitic, Sudanic languages, English
Capital: Khartoum