Long live South Sudan

CT: There was euphoria across South Sudan when it gained independence on 9 July. Five months on, what is the mood like now?

Jon: The mood in Sudan is hopeful. The people are still revelling in the new feeling of freedom. After centuries of domination by Arab slave traders, colonialists, and an Islamic government, the people of South Sudan are finally in control of their own destiny.

There are certainly many challenges ahead and opportunities for failure, but at least those choices are theirs to make. There are ongoing tensions and conflict along the north-south border, but this serves mostly to showcase the brutality of the northern regime and to remind people of what a blessing it is for them to be free!

CT: The churches committed themselves to the challenge of establishing long-term peace and stability, and rebuilding infrastructure. What support are they providing?

Jon: The churches of South Sudan are excited to be playing their part in building the new country. In terms of infrastructure, most of the local churches do not have the capital to do much on their own, but they serve as a local partner to guide outside donors to culturally appropriate and spiritually significant investment in the country.

For instance, the Africa Inland Church (Sudan) is rebuilding a Bible College neglected during the war, and is looking for partners to build a missions centre in Juba to coordinate Christian efforts in the country and equip national missionaries.

Samaritan’s Purse has brought the worldwide and indigenous church together to rebuild hundreds of church buildings across the country. And in Pibor, an international medical team working through the local Presbyterian Church has succeeded in brokering a peace agreement between the feuding Dinka and Murle communities which has held for a remarkable two years!

An often unseen role the church is playing is in staffing the new government. Many of the members of the interim government between 2005 and 2011 were pastors and Christian workers, who were some of the few educated people who remained in Sudan during the war. Now more refugees are returning from abroad and providing additional education and experience to the government, but many former pastors still hold high positions in the government.

CT:There were fears for Southern Sudanese who have no choice but to remain in the North because of their studies or jobs etc. Do you know what the situation is like for them right now?

Jon: I don’t have much information about life in the north right now.

CT: Does South Sudan need a lot of external support to help it stand up on its own feet?

Jon: South Sudan is in need of a lot of help at this point as it tries to establish itself as a “real” country. The challenges are immense! Construction of the first paved roads outside of the capital were only begun this year. Almost half of the country floods during the rainy season, making ground transportation impossible for 8 months of the year. Most of the country had no operating schools for 20 years, due to the civil war.

The war also means that there is a whole generation who have grown up not knowing how to work. Many spent their developmental years either fighting, running, hiding, or living in a refugee camp. Building a society and a country out of these ashes is a monumental task!

The UN and aid agencies are addressing many of these needs, but the spiritual needs are also great! Many pastors were trained outside the country during the war, but the ratio of trained pastors to church members is still staggering. Support for churches and missions providing pastors training is an investment that will multiply itself a thousand fold in the villages of South Sudan.

But greater than the challenge of pastorless churches, is the silent wail of thousands of people living and dying where there is no church. There are more than 15 people groups classified as unreached. Once unreachable due to civil war, the door is now wide open to bring them the hope of Jesus and let them know that “God so loved the world, that He sent His only Son, that whoever believes in Him will not die, but have eternal life.”

Africa Inland Mission, Serving in Mission and other societies are looking for followers of Jesus who are ready to be the one to take His good news to these beautiful people who are dying to hear it!

CT: There were some concerns that the dispute over Abyei might throw the North and South back into war. Is that still a concern? If so, what can or is being done to prevent this?

Jon: Abyei is still a contentious issue. It is the opinion of the southerners that the northern army has been systematically killing civilians in order to cause southerners to flee the province, leaving a majority of northerners to push through union with the north. There is currently a UN peace keeping force in Abyei, and there have not been any serious flare ups for a few months. There is international pressure to find a political resolution, but prayer is what is needed the most. Abyei holds a huge amount of oil which could have significant consequences for whichever side loses it, so there is a lot at stake.

CT: What do you predict will be the great challenges or steps forward for South Sudan in 2012?

Jon: The biggest challenges that South Sudan faces are establishing efficient government systems that will allow the country to blossom, nipping corruption in the bud and resolving the border disputes and oil issues with the north. However the opportunities are incredible! 2012 will see the first South Sudanese Olympic athletes, the first paved road access from Uganda to the capital of Juba, and the opportunity to set the course of the people and the country for years to come. Long live South Sudan!