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You can order materials to help promote the Sudan Church Project in your church by clicking the image above. Fill out the downloadable order form and e-mail it to to receive your free kit.Many people walked for hours in the African heat along rutted, dirt roads to attend the dedication of the newly rebuilt Adol Church near the town of Rumbek in South Sudan.

For the people who live in Adol village, the permanent building constructed by Samaritan's Purse as part of our Sudan Church Project is a symbol of hope and rebirth, following 20 years of brutal civil war that claimed thousands of lives.

The women of the church helped launch the celebration. Wearing white head scarves and white dresses, they led a grand procession in a praise-filled march around their new church home. Believers marched with dance-filled steps three times around their new sanctuary, waving hand-made crosses and leaf-covered branches.

Pastor Alapayo Kuctiel gathered the people in front of the heavy wooden doors of the church and led a prayer of thanksgiving. When he opened the doors, the church quickly filled to overflowing as the celebration moved inside.

The dazzle of white dresses and songs of celebration stood in a stark contrast to the blood that was spilled in Adol when the original church and village were destroyed more than two decades earlier.

In 1985, Islamic troops attacked Adol. Witnesses say tanks rolled into the village in the middle of the afternoon and opened fire. Seven people were killed and the entire village was set ablaze. Survivors fled into the rugged countryside where they struggled to survive for the next 14 years.

The people of Adol were forced to abandon their village, but they never abandoned their faith. Always on the move to avoid advancing troops, they gathered under trees to worship God and pray for His guidance.

In the late 1990s government forces were forced out of Rumbek and people slowly returned to the villages. Believers made white flags adorned with crosses and marched through the town, singing songs of praise in celebration of their their new freedom.

Christians in Adol continued to meet under the trees for Sunday worship. They never imagined a day when they would gather in a new church building to worship God during a time of peace.

Members of Adol Church shared a special sense of accomplishment because they participated in every phase of the construction of the new sanctuary. They helped gather sand to make concrete, form hand-made bricks, build walls, and put on the roof.

Local church and community leaders joined the celebration and many offered words of encouragement. Former Rumbek commissioner Daniel Gumwel challenged believers to keep their faith and witness to the community alive.

“This building is not the Church, but you are the Church,” Gumwel said. “Without you there wouldn’t be a church. This is the way you bring people to God.”

Another community leader, Zachariah Mabor, challenged believers to help fulfill the Great Commission.

“You go out and preach the Word of God,” he said. “Let us unite people together here and bring people to the church.”

Finally, Pastor Peter Thon praised and encouraged the women of Adol to continue their faithful witness in the home and community.

“I encourage the women to continue to be involved in the church,” he said. “Because of your faithful diligence the new generation will know the Word of God.”

The celebration continued for hours, but no one was anxious for it to end. The new church building and the joy of the people represented the renewal of hope for the community and for the future.

Join Hands with Believers in Sudan

Adol Church was sponsored by Good News Church of St. Augustine, Florida. Discover how your congregation can minister to persecuted believers in Sudan and help rebuild their churches. Download this fillable MS Word document (click here) to order materials. You can also call 1-800-538-1980 or e-mail to order a free Sudan Church Kit or to receive more information about the project.

To support the Sudan Church Project, click here.

Samaritan's Purse , Sudan , Sudan Churches Project , Out of the Ashes