The Sudanese Alliance Fellowships Are Growing

Earlier this year, we witnessed the first steps of the Sudanese Alliance Fellowships in North Africa. They are translating the Word of God into the believers’ mother tongue, training new leaders and deacons, and much more. They continue to grow wonderfully despite this difficult time.

A few months ago, the EMERALD (Europe and Middle East) Region sent a pastor newly prepared by the AWF Young Scholar program to teach the History and Theology of the Christian and Missionary Alliance to more than 40 refugees in a city in North Africa. It was the birth of the Sudanese Alliance Fellowships. They have since grown and continue to glorify our Lord and Savior. Recently they consecrated Eliezer, their eighth deacon from one of the fellowships.

The leaders had separated him and prepared him a year and a half ago to begin his training by washing his feet. The consecration ceremony took place via Zoom, and Eliezer washed another brother’s feet and prayed over him to prepare him as Christ’s servant leader in the Wild Olive Branches Fellowship. The leaders say they felt encouraged seeing the new deacon washing his brother’s feet.

Eliezer’s testimony was shared by his wife, his group leader, then by another deacon of the same community. They all told the same story: that of a man who was living a life for Christ, demonstrating His character everywhere he went. The leaders were overjoyed to see Eliezer’s life in Christ through these witnesses.

The Fellowships have seven young leaders being prepared for graduation. They have been studying hard in the different Bible schools that are available in North Africa. Their studies have been mostly online due to the pandemic. Each student reads the Bible for three hours a day. That may seem like a lot, but they have established a goal according to Romans 12:1-2, which has transformed their lives.

Because of the pandemic, the leaders and deacons are receiving the people’s needs and prayer requests through WhatsApp. They do their best to instantly respond with care and lift prayers. They have also developed a worship group on this app, where members of this Alliance create new songs based on the Scriptures in their mother tongue. Music and worship were forbidden in their previous religious expression.

The Sudanese Alliance Fellowships praise God for the progress in translating the Bible into their native language. Several books are already finished and are undergoing final review, while others are nearing completion. This challenge is firmly in their minds and in constant production by several trained and dedicated workers.

They have also created an Alliance Women’s group. Each week, they meditate and share devotionals using the translated version of the 101 Favorite Bible Stories published by Mennonite colleagues. A sister will prepare a devotion and share it in audio format on the Alliance Women’s WhatsApp group. In addition to that, one of the workers will read the story for those still working on literacy in their language. The women share back and forth and encourage one another.

Challenges can all be met and overcome by the wisdom and courage of Christ. He makes all things beautiful in His time. As Jeremiah proclaimed: “Ah Lord God! Behold, Thou hast made the heavens and the earth by Thy great power and by Thine outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for Thee” (Jeremiah 32:17).