Sudan Initiative

How To Get Involved

Congregations received a copy of this DVD in the June Source Packet.
To order additional copies, contact the Mission Office.

Child from Torit area Photo by Enten Eller

Children from Torit area Photo by Enten Eller

WHO IS SERVING? Bradley Bohrer, director Click here for additional staff information

Agriculturalist from Torit area Photo by Enten Eller

WHAT IS IT?

Vision
A holistic mission approach was at the core of the proposal brought to the General Board in October of 2005 for this bold new ministry in Sudan. The Church of the Brethren has built significant relationships and reputation over the decades of work in Sudan with Sudanese church partners, and in the wake of a new peace accords signed in January 2005, we recognize a key opening and hear a new calling from the Sudanese to come and work with them in this monumental task to rebuild and heal the communities in southern Sudan. This new effort in Sudan also calls for a church planting dimension in addition to significant engagement with human need.

Response to Date:
A Note from Bradley Bohrer

June 30, 2008
Sudan: ‘To walk humbly with the Sudanese’

Renewed energy is propelling the Sudan Initiative forward. Since this spring, mission staff have been revisiting the Sudan Initiative. We have stepped back, returned to foundational understandings, and have been evaluating the role of mission for the 21st century. We want the Sudan Initiative to be viable in five years... and in 50 years.

During this time, open dialogue between differing understandings of mission has resulted in fruitful new collaborations. Mission staff have made an intentional effort to understand the nature of mission today, an emerging discussion taking place in all denominations and communions. As a denomination we have sought to establish realistic limits on what the church can do at this time in Sudan.

We have listened to many voices in the denomination and beyond who can help us create a long-term initiative that is healthy and beneficial. Intense time is being spent meeting with those who helped to start the initiative, listening to the Sudanese community in the United States, and working to deepen relationships with potential partner organizations in Sudan.

We are now working with greater intentionality in creating relationships with Sudanese before we enter and in finding the initial “niches” that will allow long-term reciprocal relationships.

The Sudan Initiative also is being urged to be more open in stating the church’s own needs in the relationships created in Sudan--the needs to humbly walk with Sudanese brothers and sisters, learn from them, and grow in the process.

Following are some results of this work:

• Staff have redefined what it means to be a “holistic” mission, both to reflect the church’s need to be in mission with others, and our need for transformation. Being holistic is not about the breadth of the mission program, but about how it will change all who participate. We are meeting with leaders of Sudanese organizations toward placing initial personnel with them and partnering with them in mission outreach.
  
  
• The Sudan Initiative celebrates a generous donation of $149,000 from long-time supporters of Brethren ministries. A trip is planned to the southern Sudan area in September to help strengthen the relationships and clarify the mission’s focus.

We who work on the Sudan Initiative are learning from our struggles, listening to others, and listening for the voice of God. The invitation to engage in mission with the Sudanese people is still present, and the Church of the Brethren continues to respond.

WHO TO CONTACT?

For questions, contact Bradley Bohrer, director, Sudan Initiative at 800-323-8039, x255 or bbohrer_gb@brethren.org.

For resources, contact Janis Pyle, coordinator for mission connections, at 800-323-8039, x227 or jpyle_gb@brethren.org.

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