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In 2004 leaders within the Sudanese community in Adelaide asked if our church would sponsor a family of Sudanese refugees. Within a few weeks the funds had been donated and arrangements were made for members of the Lual family to travel to Australia. Just three weeks later we welcomed them at Adelaide airport and the following Sunday introduced them to our church community. The church had already been involved in searching for accommodation, gathering furniture, buying food and making arrangements with CentreLink, schools and the bank. Within a short time we had several Sudanese families joining our church family, and our members provided support as these new arrivals adjusted to life in Australia.
Once again Sudanese leaders, including Rev Joseph Mawien, asked for our help in establishing a church where they could pray in their mother-tongue, and so in July 2006 we established the United Sudanese Fellowship with Joseph as their Minister. The congregation were introduced to the State Convention of Churches of Christ in SA/NT in May 2007 where they received a standing ovation.
A few months later came another request: Will Churches of Christ provide community development in their homeland? This request ultimately led to our Minister at the time, Steve Blacket travelling with Joseph Mawien to Sudan in 2008. From these beginnings has grown a mission partnership with various communities in South Sudan that provides care for children who have lost their parents in the civil war, medical and educational projects, care for displaced victims of the conflict in Darfur, and support for church development and evangelism. Global Misison Partners now oversee this mission, involving Churches of Christ throughout Australia.
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In June 2008, Joseph Mawien, minister of the United Sudanese Fellowship, and Steve Blacket, our minister at the time at Magill Church of Christ, travelled to Sudan to meet with church and community leaders and explore the potential for a ministry relationship between our respective communities.
As a result of that visit, Steve prepared a report for Global Mission Partners (GMP) which became the foundation of the active partnerships which have since been developed.
In December 2009/January 2010 they returned with Ros Stafford-Green to grow relationships and confirm partnerships. They also delivered much needed medical supplies including birthing kits.
Since that time, Steve has returned to Sudan and, along with progressing a number of projects identified from his previous visit, has been instrumental in establishing a program to provide food, housing, clothing and education in Marialbai in Aweil West County for children who have lost their parents in the civil war, leaving them at risk and without proper care or education. The Chief has provided a large piece of land in Marialbai for this ministry. A sponsorship program for children provides ongoing support.
Steve resigned from his position as Senior Minister at Magill in early 2012 to undertake a more active role in the work in South Sudan. He plans to live in South Sudan for the major part of 2012.
Further detail of this partnership and how you might be able to help can be found on the GMP website.
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Fair Dinka Mate
Steve has now travelled on three occasions to Sudan and you can read more deail of his visits on his blog at Fair Dinka Mate. The site tells the story of this mission partnership from its infancy here at Magill Church of Christ, growing into a national program with Global Mission Partners.
Steve has recently resigned from his position as Senior Minister at Magill and is planning a year of mission including some time in Sudan. Read an outline of his plans and how you might be able to help by downloading the brochure "A year of mission" (3Mb)
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