East Africa: Church Planting and Relief Ministry

War continues to devastate Sudan, forcing millions to leave their homes and seek refuge in neighboring countries. More than a million people have fled to South Sudan. However, as a young nation struggling with its own internal conflicts, economic collapse, and resource shortages, South Sudan lacks the infrastructure to support such an influx.

The escalation of war and recent natural disasters in the region have made a challenging situation even more critical. Families live in dire conditions, lacking basic necessities like food, water, and shelter. The physical need and grief are unimaginable.

In the face of such intense physical need, Avant’s approach to ministry in East Africa includes a strategy to address both spiritual and physical needs. As we help relieve the visible physical suffering, we recognize that people’s deepest need is to be reconciled with God.

To support refugees in South Sudan and northern Uganda, Avant is distributing survival kits and audio Bibles. These kits contain essential supplies such as food, soap, blankets, utensils, and mosquito nets. As physical needs are met with the love of Christ and the gospel is shared, God is opening people’s eyes to their spiritual need.

In addition to this relief work, our missionaries have collaborated with African leaders to create a holistic training program that pairs basic theological and church-planting education with biblical stewardship and entrepreneurship. Designed to equip church leaders in impoverished contexts, this home-grown training program is contextualized and has tremendous potential to effectively address the spiritual and socio-economic challenges of the church in this region of the world.

Last year, 380 people completed the training in South Sudan, Congo, and Uganda. Over the next five years, our goal is to expand the training to equip 1,750 pastors and leaders with the skills they need to strengthen their churches and transform their communities for Christ. Avant is supporting this initiative by helping cover the costs of the training through this project.

Your gift will not only provide relief to families in desperate conditions but also empower pastors and church leaders with tools to help their congregations flourish and advance the kingdom of God throughout the region.