Our Churches

Planting Churches

Planting churches doesn't just happen, it takes vision, hard work, and God's grace - over and over again.

Following is the compelling story of faith, resilience, and cultural understanding that led to our second Church plant; this one in the remote village of Awoda, South Sudan.

Nyangwa's Hope

As Nyangwa looked around his village of Awoda every day, he felt a calling from God - build me a home. But there were so many obstacles!

The village elders, guardians of the community’s traditions, were among his greatest challenges. Many of them viewed Christianity as a threat to their customs, fearing that it would erode their cultural identity and disrupt the harmony they had maintained for generations. Their resistance created an atmosphere of skepticism and tension.

Additionally, Nyangwa’s youth worked against him in the eyes of some. Having spent years away from the village, his return with a new faith was met with doubt. Many questioned whether he truly understood the community’s way of life or had the authority to bring about such change.

Despite these hurdles, Nyangwa persisted. His unwavering faith was his anchor, guiding him through moments of discouragement. He leaned heavily on the support of his father, one of the village elders, who quietly vouched for his sincerity and commitment. His father’s influence opened doors that might otherwise have remained shut.

Prayer became Nyangwa’s greatest weapon. During moments of rejection or frustration, he turned to God for strength and wisdom. He also focused on living out the values he preached, showing love, humility, and patience in his daily interactions.

Over time, his actions spoke louder than words, softening the hearts of many of his skeptics.

Change from the Inside

What started out as Nyangwa leading simple audio Bible studies under a tree, has grown into a maturing group of Christians who call Awoda Hope Bible Church their home.

While the journey was far from easy, Nyangwa’s resolve actually deepened the trust he was building within the community. His perseverance, and God's grace, bridged the gap between tradition and faith, proving that the message of love and hope he carried was not meant to erase their identity but to enrich it.

Could these changes have happened from the outside, through foreign missionaries?

Possibly. With God, all things are possible.

But Nyangwa's story shows what can happen when God moves from the inside - in the heart of local people. These people are more attuned to the complexities of relationship-building, cultural sensitivity, and working within the existing societal structures when introducing new ideas to their deeply traditional communities.

Their impact is deeper, broader, and more long-lasting.

Please pray for more South Sudanese to follow after Nyangwa's example as we strive to plant more and more churches in the remote villages of South Sudan.