Release of Church Properties and Bibles

A Sudanese soldier is reading the Bible while holding a kalashnikov on his lap. - Photo: World Watch Monitor
Photo: World Watch Monitor

On August 8th, a Sudanese court ruled that properties seized by the government must be returned to the Sudanese Church of Christ (see this page). Following up on that decision, ownership of 19 properties was officially handed back on September 24th.

In another unexpected move, authorities released a shipment of Bibles believed to have been held in port for six years. The Arabic-language Bibles were released in mid-September and transported to the capital of Khartoum.

There has been speculation on the reasons for this recent action. Some suggest it may be part of a push from Sudan to normalize relations with the United States. Regardless of the reasons, VOMC partner ministry, Steadfast Global, said it well in an October 3rd Facebook post: "The reasons might well be political. We are not quite sure just what is going on, but recent events in this repressive country definitely point to answered prayers!" Continue to intercede for the country of Sudan and its people, praying that God's Word will reach many more in need of Christ as Saviour.

  • 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

  • Church Leaders Face Violence from Multiple Sides
    A large church with several spires.
    A church in Sudan.
    Photo: Flickr / David Stanley (cc)

    The bishop of the El-Obeid diocese in Sudan recently suffered a harrowing ordeal at the hands of both members of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and those of the opposing rebel Rapid Support Forces (RSF). On December 1st, Bishop Yunan Tombe Trille Kuku Andali reported that he was travelling with a deacon named Joseph. The ministry team had just arrived in El-Obeid when they were suddenly stopped and harassed by the SAF. The troops seized the small sum of money in U.S. dollars that the bishop was carrying, claiming that it was forbidden currency. During the robbery, the soldiers also physically harmed the two men.

    Read more...

  • Displaced Christians Driven From Their Homes
    A large group of people are gathered around a small mosque.
    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.

    Read more...

  • 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.

    Read more...

  • Humanitarian Aid Denied to Muslim-Background Believers
    A group of people are gathered closely together under a rudimentary shelter made of poles and white cloth.
    Refugees in Sudan
    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...

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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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