Closing Thoughts from Juba, Sudan

Pastor James Mawut recommitted his life to Christ during the Juba mission.

This will be my last update from Juba Sudan as we leave tomorrow. It has been a very interesting week, as some of us have met up with new believers and others who were impacted by the evangelistic events around the city. Overall, we estimate that between 3-3500 people made commitments to Christ, and we reached more than 100,000 throughout the city, particularly because of the extensive radio evangelism coverage

We visited the prison and the police barracks where events were held. Some interesting individual stories have arisen from these visits, and the overwhelming vibe was that both these communities have been impacted as a whole. At the police station, officers said they noticed a difference directly after the meetings in the cleanliness of the compound, in the number of officers turning up to work drunk, and the lack of fighting and violence. Inmates at the prison said that the atmosphere there had also become more peaceful, and a large number of people had registered to join the existing prayer group. Both the Director of the Police Barracks and Director General of the Prison warmly invited African Enterprise to return again in the future.

Even the hotel where we are staying has changed, and has remained changed since the team left. The staff are smiling more, one who seemed antagonistic to Christianity when we first arrived is now offering to say grace for us when we eat, and it is not as rowdy at night. The co-ordinator of our team of drivers shared that all his drivers have been impacted in some way, and are more open to Jesus or actually became Christians.

The first new believer I interviewed was apparently a pastor called James. Confusingly he insisted that the first time he truly  received Christ was during an event last week. We met up with him in his locality to hear more, and he shared an interesting story with us. He had grown up in a family which practiced witchcraft, and was frequently visited at night by a “crow” which would take him from his bed and fly around with him (a common indicator of witchcraft). He didn’t attend school, but grew up herding cows. 

About four years ago, James became a “pastor.” We are not sure how this happened, or whether it had more to do with money than following a calling of God. He was a pastor in a district outside of Juba, but during the mission said that he was challenged to truly commit to Christ. He said his life has significantly changed now – he wants to follow the narrow way rather than the crooked way. He no longer drinks or smokes, doesn’t go with sex workers as he and his friends used to do, and doesn’t want to use bad words now. He grinned as he said that he now wants to devote his life to working for Jesus Christ who has freed him and saved him.

The Zonal “Discipleship” co-ordinators met again yesterday to discuss follow up arrangements. The Discipleship Chairman himself has a great testimony of how he became a Christian through the ministry of African Enterprise to the University of Juba in 1984, and it is ironic that he should be overseeing the follow up process after this mission!! Each of the co-ordinators has a team of trained counselors in their zones and will be equipped to call and visit those who indicated a decision for Christ – those whose details we actually were able to collect.

They will use the “Balanced Christian Life” booklet which is a six-week course teaching new believers about the basics of being a Christian. They will also use “Growing up in Christ,” which is a series of Bible studies from the book of John. Many of these co-ordinators had already made contact with a number of those who had come to faith during the mission, and shared some exciting testimonies. I hope to meet with a number of these people today, and need your prayers as we have now only one day left.

- Vanessa Khlentzos
(Pan African Communications,
African Enterprise)

Mission to Juba, Sudan - Final Day

Crowd gathers at the Juba for Jesus Closing Rally.

After another busy and sweltering morning in churches, we headed over to the “Nyokuron Cultural Centre” for the Closing Rally. The heat in the sun was oppressive, and again, attendance was slow initially. However, as the afternoon wore on, people gathered in thick crowds in the small pockets of shade available. The choirs and Foxfire evangelists were again the stars of the show, getting enthusiasts to their feet as they tried to imitate the dance moves. Although the Vice President wasn’t able to attend due to other commitments, the Religious Advisor to the President, and Minister of Roads and Transport attended as special guests, in amongst a number of other politicians. They were clearly very excited to be there – one of them ran up the walkway to the podium, and then down again to his seat!

Both emphasized the need for the church to lead the way in Southern Sudan, and exhorted the church to pray that their leaders be given the fear of God which is the beginning of wisdom. Their enthusiasm pushed the program over time, as did frequent power cuts, but the majority of the crowd was committed to seeing the end of the program. Stephen Lungu ended up preaching in the dark, challenging his listeners to examine whether they were only going as far as the church, rather than going all the way to the cross where they would find freedom and forgiveness. Over 100 adults responded to the message, gathering up on the stage where we could actually partially see them!

Hon Julius Moilinga MP, Master of Ceremonies for Closing Rally

At dinner, Peter, the co-ordinator of our team of drivers, shared with us a vision he’d had that day. The vision was of an ambassador arriving in Southern Sudan in a helicopter. The helicopter rescued him and others, and took them to safety. After some thought, he realised that the vision was about the “Juba for Jesus” mission. The ambassador represented the evangelists who were “ambassadors for Christ,” and the helicopter represented the Lord who was lifting the people of Sudan to safety. Peter is a believer, and he sensed the Lord telling him that this mission had a significant role in bringing true peace to the people of Southern Sudan, and knew he had to go along to the Closing Rally, even though he wasn’t feeling well. He was so convinced that he also persuaded friends to come with him, although they were also not feeling well. They all came along, and we saw them dancing in the crowd. Some testified later that their sickness had left them, and although we haven’t had a chance to talk further with them yet, we sense that this event has been instrumental in many of them coming to faith in Christ.

It had been a long day, and I was keen to get this report written before bed. However as I was gathering my thoughts, I heard clapping from the dining room. I wandered back in to find that the indomitable Foxfires had cleared away the centre tables, and were energetically performing a dance to the hotel staff and handful of remaining guests at almost 10pm!

A member of the Foxfires group shares his testimony with hotel staff.

We know that although the hotel staff has observed us “warts and all” over the past few weeks, they have also experienced the love of Christ in us. A number of them softly told me today how much they will miss us when we go, and one who was able joined us at the Closing Rally. One of the Foxfires shared with them how the Lord rescued him after growing up in a broken family and a gangster lifestyle, and invited them to approach us if they wanted to accept the Lord into their lives as well.

Thank you so much again for standing with us this week. We are very aware that our prayer supporters around the world have vitally contributed to this mission.

- Vanessa Khlentzos
(Pan African Communications,
African Enterprise)

Mission to Juba, Sudan - Day 7

Although the day started on a very soggy note, we ended on a high! I haven’t had a chance to hear from everyone yet, but I could sense just by the “vibe” at dinner tonight that there was great excitement about what had taken place around the city during the day.

Our day started with drizzling rain continuing until just before lunchtime, and washing out our planned outdoor meetings. However the blue sky appeared in time for a team to return to the police barracks, and we experienced another steamy day. The officers were expecting us, and a number brought their chairs up to the gathering. Many were off duty today, and sat back enjoying the singing and dancing. A Rwandan evangelist then shared from Psalm 27, exhorting the officers that unless the Lord guards the city, the watchmen watch in vain. The response to the altar call was small and genuine, and it was a great comfort to see those who had responded the day before sit peacefully, assured of their new life in Christ.

Teams then were dispersed into the city to the evening rally venues for the last time. Some were excited and some were a little dubious. I joined a team which was located in a venue placed across the road from a market. Whilst there were many people across the road, we were concerned that we could not effectively engage their attention from such a distance, and previous meetings had confirmed that this was the case. We attempted to move a little but major adjustments were clearly not going to work in the time we had. However, as the choirs and foxfire evangelists performed, people began to gather.

The growing crowd mainly consisted of rough-looking young men, and similarly rough-looking children, who stopped to listen on their way between the market and the residential area. Our Tanzanian evangelist started preaching on “the lost son,” describing the rebellion of the young son, and the grace of the Father who welcomed him home. As the crowd continued to grow, I was reminded of the time when Jesus told his disciples to throw their net out into the sea again even though they had caught no fish that night.

As the messaged started and I was adjusting settings on my cameras, a young woman approached me and grabbed my arm. Tears were running down her face, and she looked very distressed. She leaned closely in on me, saying “I’m a sinner, I’m a sinner”. I tried to comfort her, encouraging her that we were all sinners, but that God had good news for us, and that she should stay and hear the message. Although she was well dressed, she smelt of alcohol and clearly was deeply burdened by something.

She had a deep scar running across the side of her nose, and I wondered what sorts of experiences she was carrying. She was inconsolable, repeating to me that she was a sinner and she couldn’t stand before God. She admitted that she drank, but something else was obviously troubling her. I wondered whether it had to do with the commercial brothels in the area. She listened with an expression of longing disbelief as I hugged her and explained that Jesus had taken her sin into himself and destroyed it for her so that she could stand clean before God again.

She told me that she wanted to return to the market and collect her things so that she could come back to listen. I urged her to stay for the message, and collect her things later, but she insisted, wandering over the road and into the market. She never returned to the meeting tonight, but I know that the Father God looks for her just as He looked for the lost son in the parable.

The rest of the message was powerfully convicting — the love of God being so starkly displayed in contrast to our scornful rejection of Him. When the crowd was invited by our Ugandan evangelist to respond, only a handful of people were left to stand around the fringes. The rest had formed a tight clump around the evangelist with arms raised, surrendering their lives to Christ who had died for them and brought them new life. People had crossed the road to join the group, the police man who had been listening outside his station came over, and a Muslim man who had been listening from a distance quietly walked up and sat on the keyboardist’s chair. It was humbling and a joy to see how many responded after our sceptism upon arriving at the venue. The Lord had truly touched many lives.

It was dark by the time personal details were collected from those who had responded. Counsellors crowded around the only light which was emanating from the car headlights, as did almost everyone else who was eager to read their new follow up material. A local pastor and facilitator of the gathering excitedly made arrangements with us to collect the response cards early next week, so that he could begin the challenging task of following up those who had responded to the message. The team went home praising the Lord and thanking Him in prayer.

At another venue, the biggest in the city, a crowd had already heard and responded to one team of evangelists when another team arrived on the scene. Those straggling past after the market had closed were joining the gathering, and so a 'tag team' arrangement was organised to reach out to the latecomers. Three more different people preached short messages, interspersed with energetic dances by the foxfire evangelists, and by the end of the evening, almost the whole crowd had responded to the gospel of Christ. It was a grand finale to an exciting week.

- Vanessa Khlentzos
(Pan African Communications,
African Enterprise)

Mission to Juba, Sudan - Day 6

Listening to the Gospel message.

Praise the Lord for a fruitful day. One team went to the fire brigade and spoke to the staff there. Although it was a small meeting, they were very warmly received and shared with them how important that they have been rescued by Christ, just as they rescue others from fire.

Another team visited the large prison in Juba, both the men’s and the women’s section. Over 1500 men were seated in the walled compound, under the sweltering sun. A foxfire team and Stephen Lungu ministered, and over ¾ of the audience indicated they wanted to receive Christ! The interpreter, Joshua, a faithful local pastor, said that he noticed in the audience a man who had attended his church, but had recently gone missing. Joshua recognized this man in the seated crowd of prisoners before him and greeted him. He noticed that the man was one of those who raised his hands to receive Christ – at last receiving Jesus through his ministry, even though whilst in prison!!

Two AE women evangelists shared with the women’s section, in the narrow hallway lined with neatly made beds (surprisingly clean for an African prison). Over 30 of the 50 women came forward to receive Christ into their hearts, just as the woman who was bleeding went forward to touch Jesus’ garment in faith so many years ago.

While the Lord was working in the hearts of those in prison, He was also working the hearts of children at a remote primary school — so far out that we were convinced we’d missed a turn off. This school was established recently, and the Headmaster warmly welcomed us, explaining that he considered this to be an important part of the children’s education. A foxfire evangelist shared a powerful testimony of being saved from a rebellious and destructive lifestyle through the witness and love of her Christian school friends and the Foxfire dances and songs had the kids in much laughter.

Keith Cook ministers to primary school children.

Then the children heard from partner evangelist Keith Cook from “On the Go” ministries who has joined the Juba mission as part of the “Mission Africa” initiative in the lead up to the Lausanne Congress. Keith used some students as a visual illustration of being pulled in two by the temptations of sin, and shared how even one sin will separate us from a holy God. He explained how Jesus had died on the cross to take away our sins, so that we can be children of God again. Almost all over the 120 children present raised their hands and joined in the prayer that Jesus would be their Lord and Saviour.

Elsewhere in the city the Lord was also at work in the main police barracks. This was a dusty compound staffed by solemn, partially uniformed police people who would eventually break into bright smiles when you greeted them. Apart from a small group, the officers remained spread around the compound, reclusing on their verandahs, but it was clear that this noisy group of chorusing, dancing Christians was attracting their attention.

The heat was significant and people were feeling a bit sluggish, but all were aware that this was a wonderful opportunity. A Malawian evangelist shared about the importance of law enforcers in protecting the community, and the importance of being empowered by Jesus to do so. Almost all the officers seated before us indicated that they wanted to respond to the Lord in some way (we suspect some were already believers), and the field commander, Emmanuel, thanked us very much for coming to share the Word of God with them. A team will go back again tomorrow, so please pray that many more hearts will turn to the Lord during that time.

Dance group performs at one of the day's rallies.

The evening rallies in seven venues around the city are all running smoothly now, with increasing crowds and hundreds of people responding to the Lord. At one of our smaller venues, over 300 people turned to Christ, and it would be fair to say, without the official numbers yet, that over 1000 people are coming into the Kingdom each day. We all sense a great hunger for the gospel of Jesus here in Juba – beyond what we had expected and even prepared for!

Tomorrow we continue with stratified evangelism, before the Closing Rally on Sunday. We are just so thankful to be involved in what the Lord is doing in this city and pray we would continue to be sensitive to his leading.

- Vanessa Khlentzos
(Pan African Communications,
African Enterprise)

Mission to Juba, Sudan - Day 5

The leadership luncheon was very good, although the Vice President had other commitments and was disappointed he couldn’t attend. It was hosted by the Religious Advisor to the President, and was attended by numerous government officials and members of parliament. Through the Religious Advisor, the Vice President exhorted those in attendance to take seriously that this is decision time for their lives, and to appreciate the work which AE has done, which has enhanced the kind of work they are doing in the lead up to the referendum.

Stephen Lungu gave a wonderful and appropriate message from Proverbs: “unless God leads a nation, that nation won’t be successful.” He challenged the audience that as they look forward to the referendum, God must be in it otherwise it will be a flop. A member of parliament also shared a beautiful poem for Southern Sudan and shared that even the current state of freedom of Southern Sudan is as a result of the work of the church. All in all it was really encouraging, and you could sense the presence of the Lord.

- Enoch Phiri & Songe Chibambo

Mission to Juba, Sudan - Day 4

A moment of prayer on a hot September day.

This was the “hump day” as our partner evangelist Keith Cook calls it. We have struggled through some significant difficulties, made some significant changes, and, praise the Lord, we are travelling quite smoothly now. The only thing which stopped us moving as quickly today was the stifling heat. We had to delay going to some meetings scheduled in outdoor venues because it was simply too hot and people were hiding indoors. Having said that, one of the meetings conducted at midday on a busy street lined with small businesses, still attracted a small group who defied the blaring sun to stand and listen just in front of the preacher.

Another meeting earlier in the morning was conducted in the midst of a goat and cattle-selling area, just outside the bar which was nearby. Roughly 50 young men were sitting around playing dominos and pool whilst drinking. They looked bored and directionless, but invited us to set up and preach. It was hot and a very odd venue in which to set up a sound system but we went ahead.

A man at the goat market responds to the altar call.

A Kenyan preacher shared his testimony of being deceived as a young person, and wasting his young years smoking and drinking. He explained how Satan had come to kill, steal and destroy, but that Jesus had come to give us life. His message was affirmed by our Ugandan evangelist who explained that through Jesus death on the cross, it was possible to be freed from guilt and condemnation, even those who had committed atrocities.

The group listening had looked self-consciously interested, and, particularly because the altar call was taking place in their “watering hole,” I wondered if anyone would have the courage to respond in front of their peers.

Surprisingly even the hardest looking men stood to their feet when invited to give their lives to Jesus and become his child. People appeared from nowhere, doubling the number I had thought were listening. Easily over 60 adults gave their lives to the Lord.  They prayed with raised hands. It was one of the most touching meetings I’ve attended.

More decisions, more lives changed following goat market sermon.

In the evening our Ethiopian evangelist shared about being born again on a popular local FM radio station live talk show. Numerous people, including Muslims, called in to discuss the message and ask questions about the mission. Members of the team will share in other live talk shows on Friday and Saturday, and we’d greatly appreciate prayers for these opportunities.

- Vanessa Khlentzos

(Pan African Communications,

African Enterprise)

Mission to Juba, Sudan - Day 3

DRC team leader preaches to soldiers at military barracks.

Wow, what a day. Despite continued logistical difficulties, many of the teams had very fruitful meetings around the city today.

One team went to a military barracks (getting lost on the way…). The soldiers looked tired and nervous, probably because of the approaching referendum and the toll which years in the bush takes on a person. Our DRC team leader shared passionately about the effects of war on a nation and an individual, and that the military’s main role was to protect its people not exploit them. He boldly challenged them to examine whether they were motivated by the love of God, or anger and a desire to revenge, which would only bring danger. Around 35 of them came forward for prayer, and we have been invited to return again for the next two days. Please pray for the continued fruitfulness of these meetings, and for open doors into other barracks.

In the afternoon a different team went to a very large, colourful, smelly, bustling dirty market which accommodates thousands of people selling various wares. Children were searching through the piles of rubbish surrounding us, and many were excited to see us back again. The choir had already set up and quickly drew a small crowd. They were unperturbed by the number of drunk and mentally disabled people who joined them up the front, dancing wildly. It was clear that the general person in this area really struggled, and responded eagerly when shown love and compassion.

Juba kids playing on rubbish pile.

A Kenyan evangelist spoke about God’s true way for those who are lost – Jesus. The hundreds who had gathered to watch the choir didn’t dissipate as so often happens when the music stops, but listened quietly. When given a chance be “found” again by God through the life and death of Jesus, a huge number swelled forward towards the preacher. I wondered how many times these people had heard the gospel explained so clearly and simply. A handful of counselors struggled to take down the details of those who had responded. Even without this large group of over 100 people, the crowd had grown tremendously because sellers had closed their stores and joined the event.

Our Ethiopian evangelist made the most of this increasing crowd of people, describing how Jesus told Nicodemus he needed to be “born again” by the Spirit, not by the flesh. He described how it is easy to be “religious” and do “Christian” things, but not actually be born again. When invited to come forward, only three brave people stepped forward into the centre. However, their boldness clearly inspired others, who also joined them until another 40 people were standing before the evangelist for prayer.

Mission gathering in Old Customs Market.

Many other very successful meetings took place around the city today, but we continued to have logistical difficulties, particularly with lack of sound systems, and a shortage of counselors. We’d greatly appreciate your continued prayer for these aspects of the mission, and thank God with you for the wonderful way He is touching lives in our midst.

- Vanessa Khlentzos
(Pan African Communications,
African Enterprise)