{"id":270965,"date":"2026-06-03T09:36:31","date_gmt":"2026-06-03T13:36:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.samaritanspurse.org\/?p=270965"},"modified":"2026-06-09T12:58:11","modified_gmt":"2026-06-09T16:58:11","slug":"rebuilt-churches-shine-sudans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/samaritanspurse.org\/es\/our-ministry\/rebuilt-churches-shine-sudans\/","title":{"rendered":"Rebuilt Churches Shine in the Sudans"},"content":{"rendered":"        <main>\r\n            <div id=\"eop\" class=\"trigger io\"><\/div>\r\n            <header id=\"main-header\" class=\"header-scale\">\r\n                <hgroup class=\"space-small\">\r\n                    <h1>Rebuilt Churches Shine <span>in the Sudans<\/span><\/h1>\r\n                <\/hgroup>\r\n                <div class=\"bg-img-scale\">\r\n                    <div class=\"bg-img-wrapper\">\r\n                        <div class=\"bg-img\">\r\n                            <video autoplay loop muted playsinline disablepictureinpicture=\"\" poster=\"https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/intro-poster.jpg\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/video\/intro.mp4\" style=\"object-position:50% 25%\"><\/video>\r\n                        <\/div>\r\n                        <div class=\"btn-wrapper\">\r\n                            <button id=\"mute-button\"><span class=\"visually-hidden\">unmute <\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/volume.svg\" aria-hidden=\"true\" alt=\"\"><\/button>\r\n                        <\/div>\r\n                    <\/div>\r\n                <\/div>\r\n            <\/header>\r\n            \r\n            <nav id=\"pagination\">\r\n                <span class=\"button previous chapter\">\r\n                    <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" height=\"24px\" viewBox=\"0 -960 960 960\" width=\"24px\" class=\"arrow\"><path d=\"M400-240 160-480l240-240 56 58-142 142h486v80H314l142 142-56 58Z\"\/><\/svg>\r\n                    <span class=\"visually-hidden\"> Previous Chapter<\/span>\r\n                <\/span>\r\n                    \r\n                <button id=\"toc-btn\" popovertarget=\"toc\" title=\"Table of Contents\"><span class=\"visually-hidden\">Table of Contents<\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/toc.svg\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/button>\r\n                <div id=\"toc\" popover>\r\n                    <button popovertarget=\"toc\" popovertargetaction=\"hide\" id=\"toc-close\"><span class=\"visually-hidden\">Close Table of Contents <\/span>&#215;<\/button>\r\n                    <p class=\"h3\" style=\"margin:.618em auto;text-align: center\">Table of Contents<\/p>\r\n                    <ul role=\"list\">\r\n                        <li class=\"card\">\r\n                            <figure>\r\n                                <video autoplay loop muted playsinline disablepictureinpicture=\"\" poster=\"https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/toc-s1-video-poster.jpg\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/video\/toc-s1-video.mp4\"><\/video>\r\n                            <\/figure>\r\n                            <div>\r\n                                <a href=\"\/our-ministry\/rebuilt-churches-shine-sudans\/\" class=\"small\">Rebuilt Churches Shine<\/a>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n                        <\/li>\r\n                        \r\n                        <li class=\"card\">\r\n                            <figure>\r\n                                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/2624SD-U-884-2__S.jpg\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\">\r\n                            <\/figure>\r\n                            <div>\r\n                                <a href=\"\/our-ministry\/more-than-a-building\/\" class=\"small\">More Than a Building<\/a>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n                        <\/li>\r\n                        \r\n                        <li class=\"card\">\r\n                            <figure>\r\n                                <video autoplay loop muted playsinline disablepictureinpicture=\"\" poster=\"https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/toc-s3-video-poster.jpg\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/video\/toc-s3-video.mp4\"><\/video>\r\n                            <\/figure>\r\n                            <div>\r\n                                <a href=\"\/our-ministry\/hope-for-the-world\/\" class=\"small\">Hope for the World<\/a>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n                        <\/li>\r\n                        \r\n                        <li class=\"card\">\r\n                            <figure>\r\n                                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/toc-2627SU-D1-525.jpg\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\">\r\n                            <\/figure>\r\n                            <div>\r\n                                <a href=\"\/our-ministry\/beacons-of-gospel-hope\/\" class=\"small\">Beacons of Gospel Hope<\/a>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n                        <\/li>\r\n                    <\/ul>\r\n                    <script>\r\n                        const cards = document.querySelectorAll('.card');  \r\n                        Array.prototype.forEach.call(cards, card => {  \r\n                            let down, up, link = card.querySelector('.card a');\r\n                            card.onmousedown = () => down = +new Date();\r\n                            card.onmouseup = () => {\r\n                                up = +new Date();\r\n                                if ((up - down) < 200) {\r\n                                    link.click();\r\n                                }\r\n                            }\r\n                        });\r\n                    <\/script>    \r\n                <\/div>\r\n                <a class=\"button next chapter\" href=\"\/our-ministry\/more-than-a-building\/\" title=\"More Than a Building\">\r\n                    <span class=\"visually-hidden\">Next Chapter <\/span>\r\n                    <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" height=\"24px\" viewBox=\"0 -960 960 960\" width=\"24px\" class=\"arrow\"><path d=\"m560-240-56-58 142-142H160v-80h486L504-662l56-58 240 240-240 240Z\"\/><\/svg>\r\n                <\/a>\r\n            <\/nav>\r\n            <section class=\"space-large\">\r\n                <div class=\"space\">\r\n                    <p class=\"h3 subhead\">Churches destroyed by war in South Sudan and Sudan were rebuilt by Samaritan\u2019s Purse years ago. Today they continue to grow, strengthen, and reach their neighbors with the Gospel.<\/p>\r\n                    \r\n                    <p>The sun glitters through palm fronds and mango trees before illuminating the cross atop the steeple of the Africa Inland Church in Yei, South Sudan&mdash;one of the few cement structures in town. Dust kicked up from the bare feet of children zipping past swirls in the air as voices of praise resound in Swahili, Arabic, and the region\u2019s mother tongue, Kakwa. It\u2019s a Saturday evening, and the youth choir is practicing for Sunday\u2019s service. <\/p>\r\n                    \r\n                    <figure id=\"bg1\" class=\"fullscreen\">\r\n                        <img decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/2624SD-F-141__S.jpg 800w,https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/2624SD-F-141__M.jpg 1200w,https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/2624SD-F-141__L.jpg 1800w\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/2624SD-F-141__S.jpg\" alt=\"\">\r\n                    <\/figure>\r\n                    \r\n                    <p>&ldquo;There is no one like Him,&rdquo; the group sings, alternating languages with each chorus. &ldquo;The grace of God is enough. We live because the Almighty is our protector. There is no one like Him.&rdquo;<\/p>\r\n                    \r\n                    <p>Pastor James Loruba sits beside the group of young singers, none of whom were born when he joined the church in 1989. Age clouds his eyes, but the seasoned pastor has not forgotten where&mdash;and through what trials&mdash;God has brought him and his church.<\/p>\r\n                    \r\n                    <details class=\"timeline card\">\r\n                        <summary>\r\n                            <i class=\"date small\">1983&ndash;2005<\/i>\r\n                            <h3 class=\"h3\">Second Sudanese Civil War<\/h3>\r\n                            <span class=\"rm small\"><i>Read more about this time in history.<\/i> <b>&#8600;<\/b><\/span>\r\n                            <span hidden class=\"rl small\"><i>Close<\/i> <b>&#8599;<\/b><\/span>\r\n                        <\/summary>\r\n                        <div>\r\n                            <figure>\r\n                                <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/03157SD-J-007__S.jpg\" alt=\"\" style=\"object-position: 15%\">\r\n                            <\/figure>\r\n                            <p class=\"small\">After just over a decade of peace, the Muslim-majority north seeks to enforce Islamic law throughout the country, which kickstarts another civil war with the south. Christians are targeted and slaughtered as famine, disease, and lack of aid also claim the lives of hundreds of thousands of people. <\/p>\r\n                        <\/div>\r\n                    <\/details>\r\n                    \r\n                    <div id=\"loruba\" class=\"pq\">\r\n                        <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"bg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/2624SD-F-199-bg__S.jpg 800w,https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/2624SD-F-199-bg__M.jpg 1200w,https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/2624SD-F-199-bg__L.jpg 1800w\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/2624SD-F-199-bg__S.jpg\" alt=\"\">\r\n                        <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"fg\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/2624SD-F-199-fg__S.png 800w,https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/2624SD-F-199-fg__M.png 1200w,https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/2624SD-F-199-fg__L.png 1800w\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/2624SD-F-199-fg__S.png\" alt=\"\">\r\n                    <\/div>\r\n                    \r\n                    <blockquote id=\"loruba-quote\" class=\"right\">\r\n                        <p class=\"h2\">\u201cSamaritan\u2019s Purse met me right here. <span>They worked with us to build a church.<\/span>\u201d<\/p>\r\n                    <\/blockquote>\r\n                    \r\n                    <p>&ldquo;This place used to all be mangoes,&rdquo; he says, sweeping his arm across his view where now a church and school are built. A children\u2019s Bible study group recites memory verses in a circle near the youth choir. Mothers from the church belt worship songs in concert nearby. &ldquo;And we gathered under that tree there.&rdquo; The pastor\u2019s arm stops and points directly to the only remaining tree in the corner of the property.<\/p>\r\n                    \r\n                    <p>&ldquo;But when the war came,&rdquo; his arm drops, &ldquo;we all ran into the bush. No bullet caught me, but many died.&rdquo; Pastor Loruba recounts how decades ago government forces barraged his town with heavy bombings and sent in ruthless Islamist militias to massacre the local population. He and many others fled as the rebels fought back. When the region was liberated after years of bloody strife, Pastor Loruba says he returned home to bomb craters in the earth, a town reduced to ash, and graves of friends he had lost.<\/p>\r\n                    \r\n                    <p>He again lifts his arm and points to the ground at his feet as he cracks a smile: \u201cBut Samaritan\u2019s Purse met me right here. They worked with us to build a church.\u201d<\/p>\r\n                    \r\n                    <ul role=\"list\" class=\"scroll-x scroll-snap\">\r\n                        <li>\r\n                            <button onclick=\"document.querySelector('#slideshow1').showModal();document.getElementById('ss1_s2').scrollIntoView({ behavior: 'instant', block: 'center', inline: 'center' });\">\r\n                                <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/2624SD-F-107__T.jpg\" alt=\"\">\r\n                            <\/button>\r\n                        <\/li>\r\n                        <li>\r\n                            <button onclick=\"document.querySelector('#slideshow1').showModal();document.getElementById('ss1_s1').scrollIntoView({ behavior: 'instant', block: 'center', inline: 'center' });\">\r\n                                <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/2624SD-F-553__T.jpg\" alt=\"\">\r\n                            <\/button>\r\n                        <\/li>\r\n                        <li>\r\n                            <button onclick=\"document.querySelector('#slideshow1').showModal();document.getElementById('ss1_s3').scrollIntoView({ behavior: 'instant', block: 'center', inline: 'center' });\">\r\n                                <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/2624SD-F-322__T.jpg\" alt=\"\">\r\n                            <\/button>\r\n                        <\/li>\r\n                        <li>\r\n                            <button onclick=\"document.querySelector('#slideshow1').showModal();document.getElementById('ss1_s4').scrollIntoView({ behavior: 'instant', block: 'center', inline: 'center' });\">\r\n                                <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/2624SD-F-381__T.jpg\" alt=\"\">\r\n                            <\/button>\r\n                        <\/li>\r\n                        <li>\r\n                            <button onclick=\"document.querySelector('#slideshow1').showModal();document.getElementById('ss1_s5').scrollIntoView({ behavior: 'instant', block: 'center', inline: 'center' });\">\r\n                                <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/2624SD-F-814__T.jpg\" alt=\"\">\r\n                            <\/button>\r\n                        <\/li>\r\n                    <\/ul>\r\n                    <dialog id=\"slideshow1\" class=\"slideshow\" closedBy=\"any\">\r\n                        <button class=\"close\" autofocus onclick=\"this.closest('dialog').close('cancel')\"><span class=\"visually-hidden\">Close<\/span><span aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"display: block\">&times;<\/span><\/button>\r\n                        <ul id=\"ss1_scroller\" role=\"list\" class=\"scroll-x scroll-snap\">\r\n                            \r\n                            <li id=\"ss1_s2\" class=\"slide1\">\r\n                                <figure>\r\n                                    <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/2624SD-F-107__S.jpg 800w,https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/2624SD-F-107__M.jpg 1200w,https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/2624SD-F-107__L.jpg 1800w\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/2624SD-F-107__S.jpg\" alt=\"\">\r\n                                    <figcaption>Pastor Loruba\u2019s church is filled with young people and children on fire for the Lord.<\/figcaption>\r\n                                <\/figure>\r\n                            <\/li>\r\n                            \r\n                            <li id=\"ss1_s1\" class=\"slide1\">\r\n                                <figure>\r\n                                    <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/2624SD-F-553__S.jpg 800w,https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/2624SD-F-553__M.jpg 1200w,https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/2624SD-F-553__L.jpg 1800w\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/2624SD-F-553__S.jpg\" alt=\"\">\r\n                                    <figcaption>Teenagers practice for Sunday\u2019s service in the church courtyard, singing praises to God.<\/figcaption>\r\n                                <\/figure>\r\n                            <\/li>\r\n\r\n                            <li id=\"ss1_s3\" class=\"slide1\">\r\n                                <figure>\r\n                                    <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/2624SD-F-322__S.jpg 800w,https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/2624SD-F-322__M.jpg 1200w,https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/2624SD-F-322__L.jpg 1800w\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/2624SD-F-322__S.jpg\" alt=\"\">\r\n                                    <figcaption>Almost 20 years after Samaritan\u2019s Purse rebuilt Pastor Loruba\u2019s church, the building still stands as the people grow stronger in the Lord.<\/figcaption>\r\n                                <\/figure>\r\n                            <\/li>\r\n\r\n                            <li id=\"ss1_s4\" class=\"slide1\">\r\n                                <figure>\r\n                                    <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/2624SD-F-381__S.jpg 800w,https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/2624SD-F-381__M.jpg 1200w,https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/2624SD-F-381__L.jpg 1800w\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/2624SD-F-381__S.jpg\" alt=\"\">\r\n                                    <figcaption>Outside the church, children recite Bible verses and sing songs of praise together.<\/figcaption>\r\n                                <\/figure>\r\n                            <\/li>\r\n                            \r\n                            <li id=\"ss1_s5\" class=\"slide1\">\r\n                                <figure>\r\n                                    <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/2624SD-F-814__S.jpg 800w,https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/2624SD-F-814__M.jpg 1200w,https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/2624SD-F-814__L.jpg 1800w\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/2624SD-F-814__S.jpg\" alt=\"\">\r\n                                    <figcaption>Every Sunday, dozens of joy-filled congregants pack the Africa Inland Church in Yei to worship God and grow in His Word.<\/figcaption>\r\n                                <\/figure>\r\n                            <\/li>\r\n                        <\/ul>\r\n                        <button class=\"x-scroll-button prev\" id=\"ss1_x-scroll-button-prev\">\r\n                            <span class=\"visually-hidden\">Previous<\/span>\r\n                            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                                  sectionEls.forEach(el => observer.observe(el));\r\n                                }\r\n                            <\/script>\r\n                    <\/dialog>\r\n                <\/div>\r\n                <section id=\"rpc\" class=\"space-large\">\r\n                    <div class=\"space\">\r\n                        <header class=\"pq\">\r\n                            <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"bg\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/0801SD-E-045-bg__S.jpg 800w,https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/0801SD-E-045-bg__M.jpg 1200w,https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/0801SD-E-045-bg__L.jpg 1800w\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/0801SD-E-045-bg__S.jpg\" alt=\"\">\r\n                            <hgroup>\r\n                                <h2 class=\"h1\" >Rebuilding the Persecuted Church<\/h2>\r\n                            <\/hgroup>\r\n                            <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"fg\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/0801SD-E-045-fg__S.png 800w,https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/0801SD-E-045-fg__M.png 1200w,https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/0801SD-E-045-fg__L.png 1800w\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/0801SD-E-045-fg__S.png\" alt=\"\">\r\n                        <\/header>\r\n                       <p class=\"h3\" style=\"color:#000\">Across deserts, swamps, forests, and mountains, Samaritan\u2019s Purse rebuilt 512 churches in South Sudan and Sudan from 2006 until 2012 after the once-unified nation endured decades of&nbsp;brutal conflict. <b>Now Samaritan\u2019s Purse works alongside many of these same churches to serve the region as the hands and feet of Jesus Christ.<\/b><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>From our country office in Juba, and through teams in multiple subbases partnering with local congregations, we are meeting ongoing needs, providing food, water, medicine, livelihoods training, and, most important, opportunities for hurting families to experience the hope found only in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>In a region still marked by and engulfed in armed conflict, the churches of Sudan and South Sudan serve bravely and boldly as outposts offering hope and peace in Jesus\u2019 Name.<\/p>\r\n                        \r\n                        <p>Congregations like these were among the many casualties suffered during those many violent years. Churches made of mud and grass were razed, bulldozed, burned to the ground, and wiped away by merciless militias trying to eradicate Christianity from the land. Two decades-long wars from the mid-1950s to 2005 killed around 3 million people, with many thousands of children kidnapped into slavery or forcibly conscripted to fight against their own communities.<\/p>\r\n                    <\/div>\r\n                    <div id=\"fg\" class=\"space\" >\r\n                        <figure id=\"fg-w-bashir\" class=\"large\">\r\n                            <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/03217SD-E-050__S.jpg 800w,https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/03217SD-E-050__M.jpg 1200w,https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/03217SD-E-050__L.jpg 1800w\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/03217SD-E-050__S.jpg\" alt=\"\">\r\n                            <figcaption>Franklin Graham meets with Omar al-Bashir in Khartoum, Sudan, in 2003 to discuss the targeting of Christians and churches in the ongoing civil war. <\/figcaption>\r\n                        <\/figure>\r\n                        <div class=\"grid two\">\r\n                            <div class=\"space\">\r\n                                <p>Even before peace came, God moved Franklin Graham to petition Sudan\u2019s then-leader, Omar al-Bashir, to let Samaritan\u2019s Purse help Sudan\u2019s Christians rebuild churches his government had destroyed. The&nbsp;dictator listened. <\/p>\r\n                            \r\n                                <details class=\"timeline card\" >\r\n                                    <summary>\r\n                                        <i class=\"date small\">December 2003<\/i>\r\n                                        <h3>Franklin Graham meets with Sudanese dictator to&nbsp;discuss rebuilding destroyed churches<\/h3>\r\n                                        <span class=\"rm small\"><i>Read more about this time in history.<\/i> <b>&#8600;<\/b><\/span>\r\n                                        <span hidden class=\"rl small\"><i>Close<\/i> <b>&#8599;<\/b><\/span>\r\n                                    <\/summary>\r\n                                    <div>\r\n                                        <figure>\r\n                                            <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/03217SD-E-056__S.jpg\" alt=\"\">\r\n                                        <\/figure>\r\n                                        <p class=\"small\">Samaritan\u2019s Purse President Franklin Graham first meets with then-leader of Sudan, Omar al-Bashir, to ask that Samaritan\u2019s Purse be granted permission to begin reconstructing churches he and his forces had destroyed. Graham petitioned for religious freedom for the Sudanese people with al-Bashir at meetings in 2007 and 2009 as well.<\/p>\r\n                                    <\/div>\r\n                                <\/details>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n                            <p>&ldquo;The church was under attack, and we were going to stand with them,&rdquo; said Graham, the president of Samaritan\u2019s Purse. &ldquo;They thought they could eradicate the church by destroying the building, but the church is not a building&mdash;the church is the people, the followers of Christ. I&nbsp;wanted those followers to know we were standing with them by building those churches back.&rdquo;<\/p>\r\n                        <\/div>\r\n                        \r\n                    <\/div>\r\n                    <div id=\"jla\" class=\"space\">\r\n                        <div class=\"space\">\r\n                            <blockquote style=\"margin-block: 5lh 1lh\">\r\n                                <p class=\"h3\">&ldquo;In a time of tears, somebody was there to say, \u2018You\u2019re not alone. I\u2019m&nbsp;coming beside you.\u2019 That\u2019s what Samaritan\u2019s Purse has done.&rdquo;<\/p>\r\n                            <\/blockquote>\r\n                            \r\n                            <p>James Lagos Alexander of the Africa Inland Church (AIC) in South Sudan was among the national church leaders who joined Graham as he met al-Bashir in 2003. <\/p>\r\n                            \r\n                            <figure style=\"width: var(--width);margin-inline: auto\">\r\n                                <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/2624SD-L-004.jpg\" alt=\"\">\r\n                                <figcaption>Now a prominent leader for the Africa Inland Church, Alexander says God used Samaritan\u2019s Purse to&nbsp;save the church of Sudan and South Sudan in its time of need.  <\/figcaption>\r\n                            <\/figure>\r\n                            \r\n                            <p>&ldquo;People were running out of Sudan back then, but Franklin was coming in,&rdquo; Alexander said. He added that his own church was destroyed on Christmas Eve during the war. &ldquo;The churches in Sudan had been crying, but God heard our call and sent Franklin Graham to come alongside us to take our voice to the president. In a time of tears, somebody was there to say, &lsquo;You\u2019re not alone. I\u2019m coming beside you.&rsquo; That\u2019s what Samaritan\u2019s Purse has done, and generations will never forget this effort. Our fear turned to jubilation.&rdquo;<\/p>\r\n\r\n<hr style=\"margin-top: 2lh\">\r\n<p id=\"video\" class=\"h4\" style=\"width: var(--width);text-align: center;margin-block: 1lh;text-wrap:balance;scroll-margin-top: 1lh;\">Watch a short film about our work in the Sudans.<\/p>\r\n<figure hidden lang=\"en-US\" style=\"width: var(--width);margin-inline:auto\">\r\n    \r\n                <div class=\"video1\" id=\"video1\" style=\"position: relative; display: block;\">\r\n                    <div style=\"padding-top: 56.25%;\">\r\n                        <iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/players.sardius.media\/82aD088d0aAbEF4\/dotorg\/asset\/0A8Bf544c20F5BD904256508C9Ef\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"encrypted-media\" style=\"position: absolute; top: 0px; right: 0px; bottom: 0px; left: 0px; width: 100%; height: 100%;border:0;\"><\/iframe>\r\n                    <\/div>\r\n                <\/div>\r\n                <noscript>\r\n                        <div>Please enable Javascript to watch this video<\/div>\r\n                <\/noscript>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n<figure hidden lang=\"es-ES\" style=\"width: var(--width);margin-inline:auto\">\r\n    \r\n                <div class=\"video2\" id=\"video2\" style=\"position: relative; display: block;\">\r\n                    <div style=\"padding-top: 56.25%;\">\r\n                        <iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/players.sardius.media\/82aD088d0aAbEF4\/dotorg\/asset\/66c3C5e5EF980FBF1aDfBFe1933C\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"encrypted-media\" style=\"position: absolute; top: 0px; right: 0px; bottom: 0px; left: 0px; width: 100%; height: 100%;border:0;\"><\/iframe>\r\n                    <\/div>\r\n                <\/div>\r\n                <noscript>\r\n                        <div>Please enable Javascript to watch this video<\/div>\r\n                <\/noscript>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n<hr style=\"margin-block: 2lh\">\r\n                            \r\n                            <p>At the dawn of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed between the warring sides in 2005, Samaritan\u2019s Purse began reconstructing churches throughout the scarred region. In villages across a land larger than the state of Texas, some of the first cement structures erected after the war were Samaritan\u2019s Purse-built churches.<\/p>\r\n                        \r\n                            <details class=\"timeline card\">\r\n                                <summary>\r\n                                    <i class=\"date small\">January 2005<\/i>\r\n                                    <h3>The Comprehensive Peace Agreement is&nbsp;signed&mdash;ending 22 years of war<\/h3>\r\n                                    <span class=\"rm small\"><i>Read more about this time in history.<\/i> <b>&#8600;<\/b><\/span>\r\n                                    <span hidden class=\"rl small\"><i>Close<\/i> <b>&#8599;<\/b><\/span>\r\n                                <\/summary>\r\n                                <div>\r\n                                    <p class=\"small\">The Comprehensive Peace Agreement is signed between the Sudan People\u2019s Liberation Army (SPLA) and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), officially giving way to the process of creating an independent South Sudan. The region is in ruins with little standing infrastructure in place.<\/p>\r\n                                <\/div>\r\n                            <\/details>\r\n                            \r\n                            <p>In each case, local congregants gathered sand, gravel, and other local materials, while we came in with cement and engineering know-how to pour the foundation and set the structure, adding steel trusses and metal sheets to the roofs.<\/p>\r\n                        <\/div>\r\n                    <\/div>       \r\n                    <ul id=\"jla-ss\" role=\"list\" class=\"scroll-x scroll-snap\">\r\n                        <li>\r\n                            <button onclick=\"document.querySelector('#slideshow2').showModal();document.getElementById('ss2_s1').scrollIntoView({ behavior: 'instant', block: 'center', inline: 'center' });;\">\r\n                                <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/0798SD-A-007__T.jpg\" alt=\"\">\r\n                            <\/button>\r\n                        <\/li>\r\n                        <li>\r\n                            <button onclick=\"document.querySelector('#slideshow2').showModal();document.getElementById('ss2_s2').scrollIntoView({ behavior: 'instant', block: 'center', inline: 'center' });;\">\r\n                                <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/0798SD-A-119__T.jpg\" alt=\"\">\r\n                            <\/button>\r\n                        <\/li>\r\n                        <li>\r\n                            <button onclick=\"document.querySelector('#slideshow2').showModal();document.getElementById('ss2_s3').scrollIntoView({ behavior: 'instant', block: 'center', inline: 'center' });;\">\r\n                                <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/0798SD-A-072__T.jpg\" alt=\"\">\r\n                            <\/button>\r\n                        <\/li>\r\n                        <li>\r\n                            <button onclick=\"document.querySelector('#slideshow2').showModal();document.getElementById('ss2_s4').scrollIntoView({ behavior: 'instant', block: 'center', inline: 'center' });;\">\r\n                                <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/0798SD-A-104__T.jpg\" alt=\"\">\r\n                            <\/button>\r\n                        <\/li>\r\n                        <li>\r\n                            <button onclick=\"document.querySelector('#slideshow2').showModal();document.getElementById('ss2_s5').scrollIntoView({ behavior: 'instant', block: 'center', inline: 'center' });;\">\r\n                                <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/0798SD-A-110__T.jpg\" alt=\"\">\r\n                            <\/button>\r\n                        <\/li>\r\n                    <\/ul>\r\n                    <dialog id=\"slideshow2\" class=\"slideshow\" closedBy=\"any\">\r\n                        <button class=\"close\" autofocus onclick=\"this.closest('dialog').close('cancel')\"><span class=\"visually-hidden\">Close<\/span><span aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"display: block\">&times;<\/span><\/button>\r\n                        <ul id=\"ss2_scroller\" role=\"list\" class=\"scroll-x scroll-snap\">\r\n                            <li id=\"ss2_s1\" class=\"slide2\">\r\n                                <figure>\r\n                                    <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/0798SD-A-007__S.jpg 800w,https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/0798SD-A-007__M.jpg 1200w,https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/0798SD-A-007__L.jpg 1800w\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/0798SD-A-007__S.jpg\" alt=\"\">\r\n                                    <figcaption>We hired local men, most of whom were congregants, to help rebuild the churches.<\/figcaption>\r\n                                <\/figure>\r\n                            <\/li>\r\n\r\n                            <li id=\"ss2_s2\" class=\"slide2\">\r\n                                <figure>\r\n                                    <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/0798SD-A-119__S.jpg 800w,https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/0798SD-A-119__M.jpg 1200w,https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/0798SD-A-119__L.jpg 1800w\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/0798SD-A-119__S.jpg\" alt=\"\">\r\n                                    <figcaption>Once the foundation was set, our teams help construct the metal frame of the church building.<\/figcaption>\r\n                                <\/figure>\r\n                            <\/li>\r\n\r\n                            <li id=\"ss2_s3\" class=\"slide2\">\r\n                                <figure>\r\n                                    <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/0798SD-A-072__S.jpg 800w,https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/0798SD-A-072__M.jpg 1200w,https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/0798SD-A-072__L.jpg 1800w\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/0798SD-A-072__S.jpg\" alt=\"\">\r\n                                    <figcaption>Metal sheeting and cinderblock walls fortified with steel were installed next.<\/figcaption>\r\n                                <\/figure>\r\n                            <\/li>\r\n\r\n                            <li id=\"ss2_s4\" class=\"slide2\">\r\n                                <figure>\r\n                                    <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/0798SD-A-104__S.jpg 800w,https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/0798SD-A-104__M.jpg 1200w,https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/0798SD-A-104__L.jpg 1800w\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/0798SD-A-104__S.jpg\" alt=\"\">\r\n                                    <figcaption>Steel windows and interior furnishings&mdash;such as pews and a pulpit\u2014finished the job.<\/figcaption>\r\n                                <\/figure>\r\n                            <\/li>\r\n\r\n                            <li id=\"ss2_s5\" class=\"slide2\">\r\n                                <figure>\r\n                                    <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/0798SD-A-110__S.jpg 800w,https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/0798SD-A-110__M.jpg 1200w,https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/0798SD-A-110__L.jpg 1800w\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/0798SD-A-110__S.jpg\" alt=\"\">\r\n                                    <figcaption>While not every church built by Samaritan\u2019s Purse is the same, each was constructed to last generations. This is the Africa Inland Church of Yei, completed in 2007.<\/figcaption>\r\n                                <\/figure>\r\n                            <\/li>\r\n                        <\/ul>\r\n                        <button class=\"x-scroll-button prev\" id=\"ss2_x-scroll-button-prev\">\r\n                            <span class=\"visually-hidden\">Previous<\/span>\r\n                            <img decoding=\"async\" aria-hidden=\"true\" id=\"ss2_arrow-left\" class=\"arrow\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/arrow_left.svg\">\r\n                        <\/button>\r\n\r\n                        <button class=\"x-scroll-button next\" id=\"ss2_x-scroll-button-next\">\r\n                            <span class=\"visually-hidden\">Next<\/span>\r\n                            <img decoding=\"async\" aria-hidden=\"true\" id=\"ss2_arrow-right\" class=\"arrow\" 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{\r\n                                const ss2SlideWidth = ss2Slide.offsetWidth;\r\n                                ss2SlideContainer.scrollLeft -= ss2SlideWidth;\r\n                            });\r\n                        <\/script>\r\n                        <script>\r\n                            if(!!window.IntersectionObserver){\r\n                                const sectionEls = document.querySelectorAll(\".slide2\");\r\n                                const options = {\r\n                                    rootMargin: \"0%\",\r\n                                    threshold: 1\r\n                                };\r\n\r\n                                const observer = new IntersectionObserver(entries => {\r\n                                entries.forEach(function(entry) {\r\n                                    if (entry.isIntersecting) {\r\n                                        entry.target.classList.add(\"visible\");\r\n                                    } else {\r\n                                        entry.target.classList.remove(\"visible\");\r\n                                            }\r\n                                        });\r\n                                }, options);\r\n\r\n                                sectionEls.forEach(el => observer.observe(el));\r\n                            }\r\n                        <\/script>\r\n                    <\/dialog> \r\n                <\/section>\r\n                <section id=\"new-gen\">\r\n                    <header class=\"pq\">\r\n                        <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"bg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/2624SD-F-347-bg__S.jpg 800w,https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/2624SD-F-347-bg__M.jpg 1200w,https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/2624SD-F-347-bg__L.jpg 1800w\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/2624SD-F-347-bg__S.jpg\" alt=\"\">\r\n                        <hgroup class=\"right\">\r\n                            <h2 class=\"h1\">A New Generation Built on The Rock<\/h2>\r\n                        <\/hgroup>\r\n                        <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"fg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/2624SD-F-347-fg__S.png 800w,https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/2624SD-F-347-fg__M.png 1200w,https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/2624SD-F-347-fg__L.png 1800w\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/2624SD-F-347-fg__S.png\" alt=\"\">\r\n                    <\/header>\r\n                    <div class=\"space\">\r\n                        <div class=\"grid two\">\r\n                            <figure>\r\n                                <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/2624SD-F-246.jpg\" alt=\"\">\r\n                                <figcaption>As Pastor Laila, right, assumes leadership of the church, he still looks to his \u201cspiritual father,\u201d Pastor Loruba, left, for guidance and wisdom.<\/figcaption>\r\n                            <\/figure>\r\n                            <div class=\"space\">\r\n                                <p>As Pastor Loruba sits back down in his chair, Pastor Joseph Laila, a much younger man, takes a seat beside him. When Samaritan\u2019s Purse finished constructing the church in 2007, Pastor Laila had only just joined the congregation as a youth in the choir. Now he\u2019s the lead pastor.<\/p>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n                        <\/div>\r\n                        \r\n                        <div class=\"grid two\">\r\n                            <p class=\"h4\">\u201cHe\u2019s my spiritual father,\u201d Pastor Laila says of Pastor Loruba with a hand on his shoulder. \u201cI remember seeing how vibrant the church was when I joined and knew I was blessed. <b>Though I did not know it at the time, God was preparing me to become the leader of the church.<\/b>\u201d <\/p>\r\n                                \r\n                            <figure id=\"laila-preaching\">\r\n                                <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/2624SD-F-863.jpg\" alt=\"\">\r\n                                <figcaption>Pastor Laila gives a message from the Gospel of Mark to his congregation one Sunday. <\/figcaption>\r\n                            <\/figure>\r\n                        <\/div>\r\n                        <p style=\"margin-top: 3lh\">Pastor Laila led the church through more war in 2016. While conflict raged around him and his dwindling congregation, Pastor Laila says that people found refuge in the church building Samaritan\u2019s Purse had constructed because of the \u201ccross, steel doors and windows, and a cement structure.\u201d They felt safe under its roof.<\/p>\r\n                        \r\n                        <details class=\"timeline card\" style=\"padding: 1ch\">\r\n                            <summary style=\"padding: 0;border: none\">\r\n                                <i class=\"date small\">2013&ndash;2018<\/i>\r\n                                <h3>South Sudanese Civil War<\/h3>\r\n                                <span class=\"rm small\"><i>Read more about this time in history.<\/i> <b>&#8600;<\/b><\/span>\r\n                                <span hidden class=\"rl small\"><i>Close<\/i> <b>&#8599;<\/b><\/span>\r\n                            <\/summary>\r\n                            <div style=\"display: flex; gap: 1ch;margin-block: 0\">\r\n                                <figure style=\"flex: 0 0 38%\">\r\n                                    <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/1631SD-L-754__S.jpg\" alt=\"\">\r\n                                <\/figure>\r\n                                <p class=\"small\">Only two years after independence, South Sudan descends into full-blown civil war between the government and varying opposition forces. Once the third and final ceasefire is signed in 2018, nearly half a million South Sudanese have died&mdash;many by starvation and disease rather than the conflict itself.<\/p>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n                        <\/details>\r\n                        \r\n                        <p>The church grew in numbers and in strength. It also multiplied as two members left to plant churches of their own. In recent years, the church built a school that educates hundreds of students\u2014including a group of orphans on full scholarship who lost their parents in the war.<\/p>\r\n                        \r\n                        <p>\u201cIf you do not have Christ in you, you will not value another human being. So, we brought that idea and implemented it in our primary school. All the students are discipled every day,\u201d Pastor Laila said. \u201cWhat will make them a better leader is education in Christ.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n                        <ul role=\"list\" class=\"scroll-x scroll-snap\">\r\n                            <li>\r\n                                <button onclick=\"document.querySelector('#slideshow3').showModal();document.getElementById('ss3_s1').scrollIntoView({ behavior: 'instant', block: 'center', inline: 'center' });;\">\r\n                                    <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/2624SD-F-467__T.jpg\" alt=\"\">\r\n                                <\/button>\r\n                            <\/li>\r\n                            <li>\r\n                                <button onclick=\"document.querySelector('#slideshow3').showModal();document.getElementById('ss3_s2').scrollIntoView({ behavior: 'instant', block: 'center', inline: 'center' });;\">\r\n                                    <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/2624SD-F-998__T.jpg\" alt=\"\">\r\n                                <\/button>\r\n                            <\/li>\r\n                            <li>\r\n                                <button onclick=\"document.querySelector('#slideshow3').showModal();document.getElementById('ss3_s3').scrollIntoView({ behavior: 'instant', block: 'center', inline: 'center' });;\">\r\n                                    <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/2624SD-F-612__T.jpg\" alt=\"\">\r\n                                <\/button>\r\n                            <\/li>\r\n                            <li>\r\n                                <button onclick=\"document.querySelector('#slideshow3').showModal();document.getElementById('ss3_s4').scrollIntoView({ behavior: 'instant', block: 'center', inline: 'center' });;\">\r\n                                    <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/2624SD-F-426__T.jpg\" alt=\"\">\r\n                                <\/button>\r\n                            <\/li>\r\n                            <li>\r\n                                <button onclick=\"document.querySelector('#slideshow3').showModal();document.getElementById('ss3_s5').scrollIntoView({ behavior: 'instant', block: 'center', inline: 'center' });;\">\r\n                                    <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/2624SD-F-607__T.jpg\" alt=\"\">\r\n                                <\/button>\r\n                            <\/li>\r\n                        <\/ul>\r\n                        <dialog id=\"slideshow3\" class=\"slideshow\" closedBy=\"any\">\r\n                            <button class=\"close\" autofocus onclick=\"this.closest('dialog').close('cancel')\"><span class=\"visually-hidden\">Close<\/span><span aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"display: block\">&times;<\/span><\/button>\r\n                            <ul id=\"ss3_scroller\" role=\"list\" class=\"scroll-x scroll-snap\">\r\n                                <li id=\"ss3_s1\" class=\"slide3\">\r\n                                    <figure>\r\n                                        <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/2624SD-F-467__S.jpg 800w,https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/2624SD-F-467__M.jpg 1200w,https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/2624SD-F-467__L.jpg 1800w\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/2624SD-F-467__S.jpg\" alt=\"\">\r\n                                        <figcaption>Pastor Laila understands the importance of investing in the youth of his country for the sake of the Gospel. <\/figcaption>\r\n                                    <\/figure>\r\n                                <\/li>\r\n\r\n                                <li id=\"ss3_s2\" class=\"slide3\">\r\n                                    <figure>\r\n                                        <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/2624SD-F-998__S.jpg 800w,https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/2624SD-F-998__M.jpg 1200w,https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/2624SD-F-998__L.jpg 1800w\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/2624SD-F-998__S.jpg\" alt=\"\">\r\n                                        <figcaption>A youth leader named Chaplain, who was raised in the church, now disciples children through Operation Christmas Child resources, a children\u2019s evangelism ministry of Samaritan\u2019s Purse.<\/figcaption>\r\n                                    <\/figure>\r\n                                <\/li>\r\n\r\n                                <li id=\"ss3_s3\" class=\"slide3\">\r\n                                    <figure>\r\n                                        <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/2624SD-F-612__S.jpg 800w,https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/2624SD-F-612__M.jpg 1200w,https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/2624SD-F-612__L.jpg 1800w\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/2624SD-F-612__S.jpg\" alt=\"\">\r\n                                        <figcaption><i>&ldquo;Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it&rdquo;<\/i> (Proverbs 22:6). <\/figcaption>\r\n                                    <\/figure>\r\n                                <\/li>\r\n\r\n                                <li id=\"ss3_s4\" class=\"slide3\">\r\n                                    <figure>\r\n                                        <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/2624SD-F-426__S.jpg 800w,https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/2624SD-F-426__M.jpg 1200w,https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/2624SD-F-426__L.jpg 1800w\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/2624SD-F-426__S.jpg\" alt=\"\">\r\n                                        <figcaption>Children are led in prayer to finish their weekly Bible study.<\/figcaption>\r\n                                    <\/figure>\r\n                                <\/li>\r\n\r\n                                <li id=\"ss3_s5\" class=\"slide3\">\r\n                                    <figure>\r\n                                        <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/2624SD-F-607__S.jpg 800w,https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/2624SD-F-607__M.jpg 1200w,https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/2624SD-F-607__L.jpg 1800w\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/2624SD-F-607__S.jpg\" alt=\"\">\r\n                                        <figcaption>&ldquo;We tell the children that what will make them a better leader is not education alone, but education in Christ,&rdquo; Pastor Laila said.<\/figcaption>\r\n                                    <\/figure>\r\n                                <\/li>\r\n                            <\/ul>\r\n                            <button class=\"x-scroll-button prev\" id=\"ss3_x-scroll-button-prev\">\r\n                                <span class=\"visually-hidden\">Previous<\/span>\r\n                                <img decoding=\"async\" aria-hidden=\"true\" id=\"ss3_arrow-left\" class=\"arrow\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/arrow_left.svg\">\r\n                            <\/button>\r\n\r\n                            <button class=\"x-scroll-button next\" id=\"ss3_x-scroll-button-next\">\r\n                                <span class=\"visually-hidden\">Next<\/span>\r\n                                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loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/2624SD-F-040__S.jpg 800w,https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/2624SD-F-040__M.jpg 1200w,https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/2624SD-F-040__L.jpg 1800w\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/2624SD-F-040__S.jpg\" alt=\"\">\r\n                            <\/figure>\r\n                            <figure id=\"aic-2007\" style=\"width:var(--width);\">\r\n                                <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/2026\/crp\/img\/0798SD-A-097.jpg\" alt=\"\">\r\n                            <\/figure>\r\n                            <p class=\"h3\">What started with a rebuild has grown to a blossoming congregation that shines as a light to young people in the Yei community.<\/p>\r\n                            <hr>\r\n                            <p class=\"h4\" style=\"margin-block: 1em;width: var(--width);text-align: center;text-wrap:balance\">Please prayerfully consider supporting the ongoing work of Samaritan's Purse in the Sudans.<\/p>\r\n                            <!--[donation pc = 013954 fluff = 0]---->\r\n                            <div class=\"donationItem donationitem-group\">\r\n                                <div class=\"diSlimWrap\">         \r\n                                    <div class=\"diSlimTitleWrap\">\r\n                                        <div class=\"diSlimTitle\">South Sudan Relief<\/div>\r\n                                        <div class=\"diSlimPC\">013954<\/div>\r\n                                    <\/div>\r\n                                    <div class=\"diSlimAmt\">\r\n                                        <div class=\"diDollar\">$<\/div>\r\n                                            <div class=\"diInput\">\r\n                                                <input type=\"text\" onblur='if(this.value==\"\") this.value=\"0.00\";' onfocus='if(this.value==\"0.00\") this.value=\"\";' value=\"0.00\" name=\"item\" class=\"donationitem\" data-item-description=\"South Sudan Relief\" data-allow-response=\"true\" data-response-limit=\"\" data-entity-attributes=\"\" data-max-qty=\"0\" data-authorize-only=\"false\" data-is-order=\"false\" data-item-value=\"0\" data-sku=\"013954\">\r\n                                            <\/div>         \r\n                                        <\/div>         \r\n                                    <div data-sku=\"013954\" data-item-description=\"South Sudan Relief\" class=\"diSlimBtn directCheckout green-button\">Give<\/div>   \r\n                                <\/div> \r\n                            <\/div>\r\n                        <\/div>\r\n                    <\/div>\r\n                <\/section>\r\n            <\/section>\r\n        <\/main>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Rebuilt Churches Shine in the Sudans unmute Previous Chapter Table of Contents Close Table of Contents &#215; Table of Contents Rebuilt Churches Shine More Than a Building Hope for the World Beacons of Gospel Hope Next Chapter Churches destroyed by war in South Sudan and Sudan were rebuilt by Samaritan\u2019s Purse years ago. Today they [&hellip","protected":false},"author":86,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-270965","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-our-ministry","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/samaritanspurse.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/270965","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/samaritanspurse.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/samaritanspurse.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samaritanspurse.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/86"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samaritanspurse.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=270965"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/samaritanspurse.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/270965\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":271182,"href":"https:\/\/samaritanspurse.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/270965\/revisions\/271182"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/samaritanspurse.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=270965"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samaritanspurse.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=270965"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samaritanspurse.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=270965"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}