e History of LHF Work in Sudan and South Sudan by Rev. Robert L. Rahn Founder, Lutheran Heritage Foundation The History of LHF Work in Sudan and South Sudan by Rev. Robert L. Rahn Founder, Lutheran Heritage Foundation LUTHERAN HERITAGE FOUNDATION Worldwide Lutheran translation and publishing 51474 Romeo Plank Rd. • Macomb, Michigan 48042 USA www.LHFmissions.org • Email: [email protected] 1 Dedication It is only fitting and proper that we dedicate this history first of all to our faithful Lord, and secondly to His faithful servants: to Rev. Andrew Mbugo Elisa, to Rev. Peter Anibati, and to Rev. Simon Gatluak. To God be the glory and praise! "The History of LHF Work in Sudan and South Sudan" © 2018 Lutheran Heritage Foundation The publishing of this book has been made by the Lutheran Heritage Foundation. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the Lutheran Heritage Foundation. Lutheran Heritage Foundation 51474 Romeo Plank Road Macomb, Michigan 48042 USA www.LHFmissions.org [email protected] 2 Foreword The history of the Evangelical Lutheran church in South Sudan and Sudan is one in which we have seen the promise ― GOD’S WORD SHALL NOT RETURN EMPTY ― fulfilled in so many ways. For the past 25 years, it has been evident that the history of the ELCSS/S is God’s arranged plan of salvation to the people of South Sudan and Sudan. The ELCSS/S was established in November 23, 1993 in Juba when Andrew Mbugo Elisa (who later became the first pastor and the first Bishop of the ELCSS/S) was discouraged by what he saw in the Episcopal Church of the Sudan in which he was brought up. In his search for a church that faithfully taught Scriptures, he be- came connected with the Lutheran Heritage Foundation and Rev. Dr. Robert Rahn, who sent him five copies of Luther’s Small Catechism and a Book of Concord. God’s Word taught from these books amazingly transformed the destiny of the newly-organized small church, and it therefore marked the beginning of the relationship with the Lutheran Heritage Founda- tion and the Rev. Dr. Robert Rahn, the author of this book who is also regarded as the “grandfather” of the ELCSS/S. What nobody knew then was that this church, through LHF’s books and encouragement, would become a national church body and would later serve the two countries of South Sudan and Sudan. From 1993 – 2018, we have seen the Word not “returning empty.” The membership of the ELCSS/S continues to increase. Pastors are being trained and ordained; many congregations and worship centres opened and the church continues to grow big and strong, resulting in the demand for more pastors. As we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the ELCSS/S this year, we reflect back. All we can see is the power of the Holy Spirit through the Word being taught and preached by sinners accomplishing its purpose: conversion and faith in Jesus Christ. May this history book delight the hearts of many who read it and awaken in them the flame of faith to always trust in the power of God’s Word and the fact that it does what it says: God's Word does not return empty when taught and preached. Peter Anibati Abia Bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Church in South Sudan/Sudan (ELCSS/S) 3 4 The History of LHF Work in Sudan and South Sudan by Rev. Robert L. Rahn Founder, Lutheran Heritage Foundation (Excerpts taken from the book Jesus Never Fails) 1993 June 1993 Andrew Mbugo Elisa returns from France, where he had gone for a two-week meeting of the World Council of Churches. But the question that kept disturbing his mind was why should a church be church in name only, and not in practice? At that time, there were serious problems in the Episcopal Church of Sudan, of which he was a member. These problems had caused divisions among the clergy and the laity, and Andrew (not being happy with all the ungodly practices that had engulfed the ECS that time) decided to look for another church that could truthfully teach the Gospel to all Sudanese people. After sharing the idea with his friends and some senior government officials in Juba, they supported the idea that a Lutheran Church be established in Sudan. After several meetings, Andrew declared publicly that he was establishing the Lutheran Church in Sudan, and this was launched on November 23, 1993 in Juba. Because of the growing insecurity in Juba at that time, Andrew moved immediately to Khartoum where the members of the newly created faith started prayers at his home. Thereafter, prayers were held in the different homes of the members of the new faith in Khartoum. 1994 In early 1994, Andrew flew to Nairobi to visit the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kenya in search of knowl- edge about Lutheranism and materials that could be used to expand the knowledge of those who had joined the Lutheran Church in Sudan. Andrew visited Uhuru Highway Parish, which was then served by Rev. Dr. Anssi Simojoki, and at that same time the ELCK was receiving delegates for the Confessional Lutheran Con- ference organized by Matongo Lutheran College. The meeting between Andrew and Dr. Simojoki included meetings with several delegates coming for the conference, including Rev. Dr. Robert Preus, then Chairman of Lutheran Heritage Foundation. The meeting with Dr. Preus established a link between the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sudan and the Lutheran Heri- tage Foundation, which Andrew requested to supply the ELCS with confessional Lutheran materials. 5 • 1994 - 1997 • June 16 Dr. Robert Preus, LHF Board Chairman, lectures on “Inspiration of Scriptures” in Nairobi. June 29 Dr. Preus receives a letter from Andrew Mbugo Elisa, requesting books referenced by Dr. Preus. August 8 Rev. Rahn fulfills request and sends one copy of the Book of Concord and five Small Catechisms. This marks the official beginning of a relationship that helped to organize the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Sudan (ELCS). July 31 Andrew mentions request to Lutheran World Federation for funds. Rev. Rahn writes to Andrew: “In my opinion, LWF does not represent that which is genuinely and confessionally Lutheran, and that means you need to discover for yourselves what is Lutheran. The best source for you is the Bible and the Book of Con- cord. I’m sure LWF would not deem it necessary to publish the volume since they, in general, violate the statements of faith found in these documents.” 1995 November 27 Funds provided to lease an office complex in Khartoum to serve as church headquarters, meeting rooms, and worship center. Later it would also house a doctor’s office and a pharmacy. 1996 August 1 Zande Hymnal published. August 22 Wire sent on this date to Khartoum and it was not delivered until October 1. October 18 ELCS uses $5,000 grant to purchase computer, printer, table, software, and translation of Liturgy Prayerbook. 1997 February 10 Andrew gives a report on the state of the church: “Hardship, suffering, war, poverty, displacement, milita- rism, racial conflict, poor economy, plus many other problems have become part of the life styles for us in Africa. In addition, there is the growing religious conflict which affects countries like Sudan, particularly where Christians are a minority. But we continue to believe that one day we shall have new life in Africa, most of all in Sudan.” 6 • 1997 - 1998 • March 5 A $2,000 grant sent to the ELCS to enable a deposit on a worship center for Juba. March 19 Prayerbook published in Zande language. June 14-22 Andrew goes to Nairobi to spend two weeks studying the Augsburg Confession with Dr. Anssi Simojoki. July 30 Books are provided by two widows of pastors to start libraries in Latvia, Siberia and Sudan. September 10 Andrew gives an update on the history of the ELCS. “When the idea of starting ELCS came into people’s minds, we thought of southern Sudan as the home of ELCS. This remains to be so in our plan. Our existence in the North today is quite temporary, waiting for peace to come to southern Sudan. As we were moving to build congregations and increase the number of Christians, we began to realize the difference between confessional and liberal Lutheranism. Thanks to those who helped us from the very beginning. Among them were Dr. Robert Rahn, Dr. Anssi Simojoki and Dr. Reijo Arkkila.” September 29 A report is sent to Andrew that LHF contacted LCMS President A.L. Barry and Concordia Theological Sem- inary, Fort Wayne, Indiana, regarding the gathering of information to enable enrollment at the seminary. In the request for help in supporting Andrew, he also asked about forming an official partnership with LHF or the LCMS. We suggested that this should be a partnership with the LCMS. It was at this time we made the request for him to come to Fort Wayne. December 12 Andrew informs us he has been hospitalized for 26 days in three different hospitals without a diagnosis as to the problem. 1998 February 16 Jeff Rahn, in keeping with efforts to be on the cutting edge of international finance, obtained a registration number from the U.S. Treasury Department that allowed LHF to send funds into Sudan during a time when the U.S. had sanctions against Sudan. Test funds of $1,000 were sent on February 23 with Andrew confirming receipt of the funds on March 3, and an official account was opened in Citibank of Khartoum.