Sudan (MNN) — Christian Solidarity Worldwide has called for the
release of the two Sudanese pastors, the Czech aid worker, and their
companion, who were arrested in December 2015 and have been in detention
since May 2016.
(Sudan map courtesy of Wikipedia/CC)
They were charged with seven crimes including espionage and waging
war against the state. The men could be facing the death penalty on
apostasy charges, which is stunning while the government says the
Interim National Constitution (INC) provides for freedom of religion
throughout Sudan.
At the same time, Middle East Concern says three more churches are
scheduled for demolition in different parts of the Sudanese capital
Khartoum. At the beginning of the month, a legal team was fighting to
overturn the order, but there’s been no update on that case.
These are cases that reveal a type of politically-driven spiritual
‘climate’ in Sudan, but what’s it like on the day-to-day level? We
asked one believer about the situation for Sudanese believers. However,
today, he works with a Sudanese Christian Fellowship in the US.
Reverend Kuku, like many other Sudanese believers in exile, has been
following the pastors’ case closely.
His personal journey took him from Sudan to Egypt. Although ordained
in Sudan, because of his Gospel work, a well-known Muslim publication
accused him of proselytizing Muslims into the Christian faith. What
actually happened, he says, was that “some started on their own after
comparing Christianity with their faith, and they were convinced that
the Way was Jesus — He was the Way that takes them to eternal life, so
they decided to follow Jesus.”
That’s not how it was portrayed in the media. In fact, he was number
one on a list of people the paper termed as “ringleaders”. While it
wasn’t a fatwa (a term indicating that a death sentence has been
pronounced on someone or some group), he says, “I think that was a green
light for any militant person to attack me.”
(Cairo photo courtesy of Wikipedia)
Reverend Kuku went to Egypt and started working with a local church.
Once more, the survivors of Darfur and the Nuba fighting found him.
“They came to my office as refugees, seeking other benefits, and hearing
that there’s a pastor there who’s a good man — they asked me the reason
why I’m so kind and why I’m so good to them.”
His compassion spoke volumes, and in many instances, it prompted
frank discussions about hope, faith and God. They asked a lot of
thoughtful questions. “They want to know more about my religion. I
told them about Christianity and the hope — why Christ came in that
unique way. When they compared, they found it really was the way to
eternal life.”
Then militant Muslims found him in Egypt too, and threatened him.
The continued threats eventually proved disruptive to his work, and
friends in the church network advised him to seek asylum in the United
States. His arrival stateside was met with huge enthusiasm from
Sudanese refugees in Oklahoma City. His celebrity, he quickly explains,
was not due to anything he’d done in Africa, but rather, “It is just
because I’m an elderly person. The Sudanese respect elderly pastors.”
He has survived to tell not only his story, but also the stories of
other believers, of the Church under fire. In Sudan, there are few
voices to advocate for them. “There are some who embrace the faith, but
they are not making it public. The Church is growing. There will come
a day when those people who are living in secret will come up publicly
in Sudan, will again be for Jesus. This is what I believe.”
(Image courtesy of Prayercast)
There is one thing in common with the exiled Sudanese Body of Christ,
no matter where you find them. “We believe that the Holy Spirit is in
control — is working. We believe, as Christians, that Christianity is
based on suffering…so, the Church is flourishing in Sudan.”
As divisive as persecution becomes, he asks, “Pray that peace would
come in Sudan and that there will be tolerance in Sudan. Muslims and
Christians were living in wonderful harmony. I want that age to come
back.” Pray too, that Christians throughout Sudan will continue to
entrust themselves to Christ and preach the Gospel boldly, knowing Jesus
is the ruler over the kings of the earth.
Source: http://www.mnnonline.org/ -