Newest Release of Christian Prisoners!

Petr Jasek in prison
Praise God for all the releases!

After 510 days in prison, Rev. Hassan Abduraheem and Mr. Abdulmonem Abdumawla, whom were both initially sentenced to 11 years of imprisonment, have recently been released after receiving presidential pardon. The two men were arrested in December 2015, along with VOM's Czech ministry partner Petr Jasek and fellow Christian Rev. Kuwa Shamal. (To review previously posted reports on their situation, click here.)

Rev. Shamal was acquitted of all charges and released in January, while Petr Jasek was released in February, after also being granted presidential pardon. "My joy is now complete as they are free as well," Petr gratefully announced following news of their release.

Petr spoke to Rev. Abduraheem at about midnight local time following his release. "He told me that both he and Abdulmonem were in good health, and excited and so happy to be free. He also expressed thanks to all those who had pushed their case."

Acknowledging the Lord's ability to use their incarceration for His higher purposes, Rev. Abduraheem added that he had no regrets about his time in prison. He was able to encourage Christians in Sudan's various prisons, while his imprisonment also served to encourage and embolden the Sudanese church as a whole.

The recently freed pastor mentioned in his conversation with Petr that he had already forgiven those who interrogated and imprisoned him, and that he felt no anger or bitterness. Rev. Aduraheem then sincerely added, "I pray that the Lord Jesus would reveal Himself to them as Lord and Saviour."

Thank you for joining us in prayer on behalf of these four released Christian prisoners (James 5:16), while being mindful to continue interceding for our other brothers and sisters in Sudan who are under intense pressure from a regime that appears to be set on eradicating Christianity. May God not only give them the spiritual fortitude, grace and encouragement required to persevere but, additionally, more opportunities to preach the "Good News" of the Gospel in both word and deed.

  • Country Information

    Population
    49,197,555 (2023 est.)

    Ethnicity (%)
    Sudanese Arab (70), Fur, Beja, Nuba and Fallata (30)

    Religion
    Sunni Muslim, small Christian minority

    Leader
    President (to be determined)
    Transitional military leadership in place

    Government type
    Presidential republic

    Legal system
    Mixed legal system of Islamic law and English common law

    Source: CIA World Factbook

  • Pray for Sudan

    Pray 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 (2 Timothy 1:7-12, Revelation 1:5).

    Pray also that peace, justice and religious freedom may be firmly established.

Sudan News

  • Church Building Destroyed While Authorities Watch
    A pile of rubble - corregated metal, wood, and various other objects - is heaped where a building once stood.
    A demolished Pentecostal church building in Khartoum.
    Photo: CSW

    On July 8th, approximately 30 individuals equipped with heavy machinery demolished a Pentecostal church in the El Haj Yousif area of Khartoum as police officers and military personnel looked on without intervening. By the time the demolition was finished, the worship hall – which had been constructed in the early 1990s – was reduced to rubble, along with the church's administrative offices, guest house, and other adjoining buildings.

  • Church Leaders Face Violence from Multiple Sides
    A large church with several spires.
    A church in Sudan.
    Photo: Flickr / David Stanley (cc)

    The bishop of the El-Obeid diocese in Sudan recently suffered a harrowing ordeal at the hands of both members of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and those of the opposing rebel Rapid Support Forces (RSF). On December 1st, Bishop Yunan Tombe Trille Kuku Andali reported that he was travelling with a deacon named Joseph. The ministry team had just arrived in El-Obeid when they were suddenly stopped and harassed by the SAF. The troops seized the small sum of money in U.S. dollars that the bishop was carrying, claiming that it was forbidden currency. During the robbery, the soldiers also physically harmed the two men.

  • Displaced Christians Driven From Their Homes
    A large group of people are gathered around a small mosque.
    A group of people in Sudan.
    Photo: Wikipedia / Nina R (cc)

    Residents of the Al-Makniya area of Sudan's River Nile state drove 34 displaced Christians from their homes on October 19th. Those responsible for the displacement explained that they did not want any Christians nor black people in the area.

  • Military Officers Arrest Christian Refugees
    A group of men are standing together. They appear to be singing.
    Photo: VOMC
     

    Amid the ongoing civil war in Sudan, a group of over 100 Sudanese men, women and children travelled to the city of Shendi on the banks of the Nile River in search of refuge from the fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary group, RSF. There, the refugees – most of whom are members of the Sudanese Church of Christ – sought shelter in an affiliated church building.