by Denise Sciuto, Associate Director
According to the Joshua Project, more than 84% of Sudan’s 198 people groups remain unreached with the Gospel. However, of South Sudan’s 80 people groups, only 6 remain unreached! The Nuba Mountains divide these two nations; within this region of divide, there is an abundance of superstitions, animist religions and witch doctors (known as Spear Masters).
Joseph* is a young man from the Nuba Mountains. His family has always practiced witchcraft and worshiped their ancestors. One night, Joseph awoke with a start. The room in which he was sleeping was illuminated with a bright light. As he struggled to adjust to the light, he heard a voice calling him by name. The voice said, “Joseph, take the Gospel and read it.”
Three nights in a row Joseph heard this voice, always repeating the same message. After the third night, Joseph knew he had to act. He went to a trusted friend and asked for a copy of the Bible. He pored over the words, but he didn’t understand what the message meant or how he was supposed to apply it. He needed someone to explain it, but none of his friends followed Jesus or knew the Gospel personally.
Time passed, and Joseph had to flee his home. In a refugee camp in a nearby region, Joseph met Amin*, a Christian. Soon, the two forged a friendship, and Amin was able to help Joseph read the Bible carefully and understand its message. Joseph had an encounter with Jesus in this refugee camp, and his life was radically changed.
When Joseph was able to return home, his family was very angry about his newfound faith. They threatened to disown him or even harm him physically if he did not renounce God and resume worshiping their ancestors. Joseph stood firm and told his family that he’d rather them kill him than turn from his faith. Thankfully, they did not pursue such harsh actions, but they did exile him from the community. What they didn’t know at the time, though, was that Joseph’s brother, Stephen*, had also been visited by Jesus in his dreams, and was curious about Him. Stephen shared this with Joseph, and together, they fled for South Sudan.
In South Sudan, they felt freedom to worship God and pursue biblical discipleship. They were soon connected to Frontier Fellowship’s partners in the region and began studying God’s Word and exploring opportunities for ministry. After graduating from the training program, Stephen and Joseph are now carrying the hope of the Gospel to others, sharing about Jesus with least-reached communities like the ones in which they were raised.
We are grateful for the myriad ways God reveals Himself to people, and thank Him for the ways our partners are serving in these often difficult contexts! Join us in praying that many Sudanese and South Sudanese people will soon have an opportunity to hear and respond to the Good News of Jesus through Stephen and Joseph’s work.
Our primary aim is to see unreached peoples know and follow Christ. We accomplish this in partnership with the global Body of Christ. Our initiatives to go farther will expand our frontier reach through world-class partners–old and new. Learn more and join us in Going Beyond: frontierfellowship.com/going-beyond.
*Names changed for reasons of privacy or security
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