2021-2022 South Sudan Ministry Update
St. John’s has a rich tradition of outreach to brothers and sisters in need near and far. St. John’s global ministry partners include Dar al Kalima University and Bright Stars of Bethlehem in the West Bank, Escuela Integrada and GRACES in Antigua, Guatemala, the Gumriak and Nyarweng Primary Schools and Sudan Rowan in Ruweng County South Sudan. In more recent years, St. John’s presence has been revealed in the nation of Rwanda through Carter Woolly’s work with the ELCA’s Young Adults in Global Mission.
Looking forward toward continued global partnerships in 2022, shepherds for each mission partner reveal their goals and resolutions for each of these ministries in the coming year. Please enjoy reading about each mission partner and how to support each ministry.
South Sudan
Ministry History
Sudan Rowan is a 501c3 founded in 2007 at St. John’s. Sudan Rowan is an ecumenical Rowan County-based coalition that joins hands with South Sudanese partners in efforts to achieve peace and education. In 2010, Sudan Rowan began collaborating in a project called “Raising South Sudan” initiated by Charlotte-based 501c3 Mothering Across Continents. Under this project, former Lost Boys of Sudan have collaborated, sharing information and resources for schools and community development. Through their inspiration, and with anchor support from North Carolina schools, churches and foundations, nearly 1,000 children have attended primary schools in Ruweng State, South Sudan, and become models of “community schools” that have raised the education standards and aspirations in the region.
St. John’s Support
- In the past 10 years, St. John’s, through its endowment fund, has provided nearly $30,000 to Sudan Rowan for scholarships, computer equipment, meals, teacher training, and teacher salaries.
- Thousands of dollars in support have been donated by congregants through individual donations.
Ministry Shepherds
- Karen Puckett, karenmcgeepuckett@gmail.com; 704-798-6834
New Year’s Resolution
Bring more awareness of the struggles and aspirations experienced by our brothers and sisters in South Sudan and continue to support them in their educational endeavors.
Ministry Goals for 2022
- As many of the students from the Gumriak and Nyarweng schools have completed primary school, a need has arisen to open a secondary school in Ruweng County. Sudan Rowan and partner Mothering Across Continents are in the planning stages of raising funds to open and staff a high school.
- Sudan Rowan has developed relationships with students from Ngor Kur Mayol’s home village of Aliap who are now living in the Kakuma Refugee camp in Kenya and hopes to continue funding their educations until they graduate.
- Sudan Rowan hopes to raise funds to repair the Gumriak roof blown off during the rainy season.
- Sudan plans to resume work on well at Nyarweng — on hold due to Covid disruption.
How to Support Global Missions
Donations may be made to these ministries using the information cited below or through a donation to St. John’s with the ministry name in the memo on online designation.
- Bethlehem: https://brightstarsbethlehem.org/
- Guatemala: Checks made to GRACES and mailed to PO Box 532, Salisbury, NC 28145 or visit https://www.wearegraces.org
- South Sudan: Checks made to Sudan Rowan and mailed to 576 Adrian Road, Salisbury, NC 28146
- Rwanda: St. John’s – earmarked for Rwandan ministry
- ELCA Global Mission: https://www.elca.org/Our-Work/Global-Mission
- Lutheran World Relief: https://lwr.org/
Ministry History
Sudan Rowan is a 501c3 founded in 2007 at St. John’s. Sudan Rowan is an ecumenical Rowan County-based coalition that joins hands with South Sudanese partners in efforts to achieve peace and education. In 2010, Sudan Rowan began collaborating in a project called “Raising South Sudan” initiated by Charlotte-based 501c3 Mothering Across Continents. Under this project, former Lost Boys of Sudan have collaborated, sharing information and resources for schools and community development. Through their inspiration, and with anchor support from North Carolina schools, churches and foundations, nearly 1,000 children have attended primary schools in Ruweng State, South Sudan, and become models of “community schools” that have raised the education standards and aspirations in the region.
St. John’s Support
- In the past 10 years, St. John’s, through its endowment fund, has provided nearly $30,000 to Sudan Rowan for scholarships, computer equipment, meals, teacher training, and teacher salaries.
- Thousands of dollars in support have been donated by congregants through individual donations.
Ministry Shepherd
Karen Puckett, karenmcgeepuckett@gmail.com; 704-798-6834
New Year’s Resolution
Bring more awareness of the struggles and aspirations experienced by our brothers and sisters in South Sudan and continue to support them in their educational endeavors.
Ministry goals for 2022
- As many of the students from the Gumriak and Nyarweng schools have completed primary school, a need has arisen to open a secondary school in Ruweng County. Sudan Rowan and partner Mothering Across Continents are in the planning stages of raising funds to open and staff a high school.
- Sudan Rowan has developed relationships with students from Ngor Kur Mayol’s home village of Aliap who are now living in the Kakuma Refugee camp in Kenya and hopes to continue funding their educations until they graduate.
- Sudan Rowan hopes to raise funds to repair the Gumriak roof blown off during the rainy season.
- Sudan plans to resume work on well at Nyarweng — on hold due to Covid disruption.
How to Support Global Missions
Donations may be made to these ministries using the information cited below or through a donation to St. John’s with the ministry name in the memo on online designation.
- Bethlehem: https://brightstarsbethlehem.org/
- Guatemala: Checks made to GRACES and mailed to PO Box 532, Salisbury, NC 28145 or visit www.wearegraces.org
- South Sudan: Checks made to Sudan Rowan and mailed to 576 Adrian Road, Salisbury, NC 28146
- Rwanda: St. John’s – earmarked for Rwandan ministry
- ELCA Global Mission: www.elca.org/Our-Work/Global-Mission
- Lutheran World Relief: https://lwr.org/
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