Sudan’s House Church Movement Shines Amid Major Crisis Throughout the Country

For more than 20 years, war has devastated this region of Sudan, with civilians suffering from starvation, violence, displacement, and a lack of medical care. Warring factions target neighborhoods, gas stations and medical facilities, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. Yet, God’s light continues to shine in these dark times.

Among the ten million Sudanese refugees who have fled the fighting in their region, many from the Willow tribe are former soldiers, and even jihadists. Radical change, however, has been happening in their hearts. Living through the destitution of years of war against them, they have come to understand that their real enemies are not at all the ones that their religious leaders always told them that they were. On the contrary, throughout these years of being targeted for destruction, the bewildered Willow people have been observing and experiencing a multitude of acts of love, care, and life-saving provisions from those formerly accused of being their enemies – the Christian West.

It is the other people groups from their greater region and their government that have been credited with committing the unforgettable acts of genocide on them. Consequently, there has been a movement of Willow away from their former religion, and instead Willow have begun to inquire, pursue, and embrace the wonderful Good News of a Messiah who lived on earth and loved them enough to die for even them! As Willow refugees have scattered, they have over time met others who have encountered the truth, and who have taken courage to share the gospel with their own people.

This transition into a new faith has miraculously been happening amid dire suffering and genocide. The region was described by one doctor in September 2024 as “the worst place on Earth to live at this time!” The country is suffering daily from disease and the absence of safety, food and drinking water.

Through diligent work in the region during the past 20 years, Timothy and Abigail have pursued the broken-hearted Willow, traveling around to announce the Good News and recruit those open to following the true Messiah who said, “Follow me.” Those who embrace the truth are integrated into discipleship ministries. Dozens have entered Bible colleges to accelerate their spiritual growth, along with being intensely mentored to bring the new House Church Movement into being.

Through all of this, 11 house churches have now been developed, modeled after groups in nations like China and Iran. These young fellowship groups are flourishing, even as violence rages in other areas and the students’ families there live amidst unbelievable depravity, seeking to survive.

While the most recent battle for the country’s leadership has continued for more than 17 months now, Timothy and Abigail have labored to keep the church steadfast. They pray for God’s provision while continuing their focus – training in local Bible colleges supplemented with ministry leadership internships, children’s discipleship, women’s ministries, and underground media development.

This year in August, the Willow Fellowships celebrated the ordination of their first four Willow pastors, providing hope, faith, and resilience to their growing house church movement, a great victory to overshadow the heart-felt destruction of the country which they love.

During this very significant week of celebration together, the 11 house churches have gained some new overseers who are the newly appointed Willow pastors. Now the new pastors — JK, EM, ZA, and HM – will be very busy serving the growing community of believers, while at the same time working toward their own theological degrees from the colleges.

The meetings were a joyous occasion, as six couples also exchanged Christian marriage vows, eight families dedicated their children to the Lord, and six new believers were baptized. This spirit of unity, love and determination to endure was certainly shared by all who attended and was manifested in their repeated dancing together with joy.

The following week, Pastor JK, overwhelmed with emotion, led his first communion. Many in attendance whispered, “Hallelujah! Thank you, Jesus!” But that day also held somber moments, as the church sorrowed because of the recent loss of Deacon Silas whose widow, JN, bravely assured that her husband received a Christian burial with the help of Willow Christian leaders. A Christian burial? Something unheard of amongst this 99% non-Christian population! This was also a testament to the congregation’s resilience and unwavering faith despite pressures and resistance from opposing regional beliefs and customs.

As the newly born House Church Movement continues to grow steadily, the 11 young leaders have requested prayers for their fellowships’ continuing development. These group gatherings are seen as a foundational part of the new movement of the Holy Spirit, and they are now under the helpful oversight of these four recently ordained pastors and the leadership of Pastor Timothy. Prayer requests include courage in the face of opposition, wisdom in evangelism, safety in clandestine gatherings, ministry development of young Bible school students, and provision for a growing number of students and their children who must be put into private Christian schools.

Youth ministry development is also on the radar now for the first time. The children are growing up and the teens need to learn to navigate relationships with their peers in a Christian manner and under the close guidance of their parents and new youth Pastor EM and youth leader Abir. Despite these new challenges, there is confidence that God will work through this to foster growth and spiritual health in the church.

Dr. John Stumbo, the president of the Christian and Missionary Alliance of the United States, wrote concerning the significance they feel in the emergence of these Darfur churches and the ordination of this first group:

As leaders of the Christian and Missionary Alliance church of the United States, it has given us great delight to hear of the rise and growth of Christ’s church among you. The recent ordination event was another significant and joyful expression of the growing strength of your community of believers, our hearts rejoiced. Just as Apostle Paul said of his friend and co-worker Philemon, we say that we always thank our God as we remember you in our prayers because we hear about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints (Philemon 1:4-5).

As repeated gifts have been sent in the past few months for humanitarian assistance, this funding has been sent through the students to their suffering families to care for them during this time of great need for medical and food assistance. The church’s efforts in distributing food, medicine and care have been a lifeline for many. Thank you to those of you who have come alongside and generously given to this need, which has given the students the “seed-planting” opportunity to share the gospel with their families as well. It seems certain that, moving into the future, the Willow fellowships will remain committed to the outreach of their group across North Africa.

As they plan for a December conference to gather again and to bring certain new believers under the waters of baptism, these Willow fellowships are continuing to serve the Lord – to spread the gospel through Bible teachings, Bible translation, radio and media programs, and the development of hymns in their mother tongue, bringing hope and faith to heal the wounded people. Through the Alliance World Fellowship’s support and prayer line, the international church can also continue this vibrant ministry, including the need for prayer for the translation team as they turn the Scriptures, films, messages for radio broadcasting, and Bible stories into the Willow language and bring Christ’s message of hope to the million or so Willow people.

Martha’s story is a powerful example of God’s faithfulness. After years of prayer, she found salvation through the faithful witness of her godly, soon-to-be Willow husband “Na.” Their journey through Sudanese conflict and displacement culminated in them being united in the Lord with a joy-filled covenant marriage, one of several celebrated during the recent special meetings.

The resilience of this young House Church Movement can also be a source of inspiration to believers across borders, with its message of zealous outreach extending to regions beyond. The church welcomes support through prayers, donations, and partner-participation of many others. Also, there is a need for funding for special meetings focusing on body life together. Essential needs include food aid, Bible college scholarships, administrative costs, film and radio program development, special needs, and ongoing training for church leadership and family development initiatives.

Please keep praying for the development soon of more leadership, and for the house churches to be able to divide and multiply as their groups increase in size. Pray also for continued guidance as they keep establishing the church’s infrastructure, governing board, church covenant, church authority, unity, and guiding principles.