Church buildings destroyed, schools confiscated


Local officials sent bulldozers to demolish
this church building in Khartoum.
Photo: Compass Direct News

Authorities in Khartoum, Sudan, demolished two church buildings on June 18, just days after confiscating three Christian schools.

One of the churches destroyed was informed in April that it, along with several other church buildings, would be demolished due to lack of structural integrity (for more, click here). However, church leaders were later informally notified that the orders would not be carried out. The destruction of the church building has raised concern that other churches will also be destroyed.

Church leaders said persecution was intensifying following the secession of South Sudan in July 2011, with officials targeting churches they claim to be associated with now unwelcome, largely Christian, South Sudanese people living in the Islamic-ruled country. Authorities have stated that there is a reduced need for Christian-operated schools because many people of South Sudanese origin (many of them Christians) have left Sudan. However, Christian leaders believe that these schools continue to meet a clear need.

Please pray that the government will allow all church property to continue being used for its intended purposes. Pray that church leaders will know the Spirit's guidance and wisdom at this time. Pray that those opposing the Church in Sudan will know Christ's love, forgiveness and blessing through the lives of Christians (Romans 12:14, 21).

For more information on the trials Christians face in Sudan, go to the Sudan Country Report.

  • Country Information

    Population
    49,197,555 (2023 est.)

    Ethnicity (%)
    Sudanese Arab (70), Fur, Beja, Nuba and Fallata (30)

    Religion
    Sunni Muslim, small Christian minority

    Leader
    President (to be determined)
    Transitional military leadership in place

    Government type
    Presidential republic

    Legal system
    Mixed legal system of Islamic law and English common law

    Source: CIA World Factbook

  • Pray for Sudan

    Pray that Christians throughout Sudan will continue to entrust themselves to Christ and preach the Gospel boldly, knowing Jesus is the ruler over the kings of the earth (2 Timothy 1:7-12, Revelation 1:5).

    Pray also that peace, justice and religious freedom may be firmly established.

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Sudan News

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    A group of people in Sudan.
    Photo: Wikipedia / Nina R (cc)

    Residents of the Al-Makniya area of Sudan's River Nile state drove 34 displaced Christians from their homes on October 19th. Those responsible for the displacement explained that they did not want any Christians nor black people in the area.

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  • Military Officers Arrest Christian Refugees
    A group of men are standing together. They appear to be singing.
    Photo: VOMC
     

    Amid the ongoing civil war in Sudan, a group of over 100 Sudanese men, women and children travelled to the city of Shendi on the banks of the Nile River in search of refuge from the fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary group, RSF. There, the refugees – most of whom are members of the Sudanese Church of Christ – sought shelter in an affiliated church building.

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  • Humanitarian Aid Denied to Muslim-Background Believers
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    Photo: Flickr / EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid (cc)

    Now in its eighth month, Sudan's civil war has displaced over six million people, many of whom were forced to take refuge in camps where food and other basic resources are scarce. Some humanitarian assistance has been provided to the country, which is then distributed through smaller local aid groups. According to a Christian ministry worker in the region, this aid has been denied to some displaced followers of Jesus.

    Read more...

  • Christians Wounded Amid Military Violence
    Coptic church and bell towers in Kosti, Sudan
    A Coptic church in Sudan.
    Photo: Wikipedia / Bertramz (cc)

    Five Christians were injured when unidentified gunmen entered a Coptic Orthodox church in Omdurman, Sudan, in the early morning hours of May 14th. Those wounded during the attack were Rev. Arsanius Zaria and his son, a church cantor, a guard and another parishioner. All five believers received hospital treatment and have since been released.

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Sudan Videos

 
The Persecution of Muslim-Background Believers in Sudan and the Middle East: An Interview with Dr. Yassir Eric
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Sudan: New Threat to Religious Freedom After Coup
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Sudan: Arrested for Missionary Work
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Sudan: Update on Loka School
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