How Church Can Foster Socio-Economic Transformation in South Sudan: A Case Study of Bishop Abraham Yel Nhial of Aweil Diocese
By Daniel Athior’o Atem, Nairobi, Kenya
Sunday, January 31, 2021 (PW) — The church is one of the inter-societal components that greatly connects and understands the local communities. Jesus understood very well that the church and the world will always be linked as the church comes from the world, and they influence each other continually. He said in John 17:16 “you are in the world but not of the world”. The “called out ones”, the church, are in the world but not of it. They live in the world though governed by rules of “another world”. The church and the world represent two systems calling for a relationship as in any systems theory. In these regards, all elements of all systems should be connected to each other in an infinitely complex web of life. When there is change in one, the other has to adapt, which in turn impacts on the source of the change.
In this case, the church and the world are interconnected and the change in one will inevitably have impact on the other. It is this link that calls us to rethink a way of the interaction of these two societies. Ravaged by conflict, South Sudan communities face problems ranging from abject poverty, water hygiene and sanitation (WASH), child marriages, Child Solider, moraldeprivation, crime, drugs, broken and dysfunctional marriages, sexual immorality, etc. that need addressing. If not dealt with, firstly, these problems will inevitably affect the church. Secondly, failing to deal with the evil that affects our communities is a failure to be true to the calling of the church itself –that of being the salt and the light of the world – Matthew 5:13-16.
The church’s involvement in the community is grounded various Biblical teachings. In Matthew 22:36-40, Jesus is asked “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ In other words, the Church is tasked with ensuring that injustice of any form is not inflicted on any member of society. Church leaders therefore should not confine themselves to the pulpit, they ought to step foot in the communities they serve to witness firsthand the societal injustices and be part of the solution.
Throughout history, religious leaders from around many corners of the world have advocated for human rights, poverty alleviation, affordable quality education and health among other socio-economic programs. In the United States of America, Rev Dr Martin Luther King (Jnr), a Baptist preacher was instrumental to the civil rights movement that sought to address the racial discrimination in the 1960s. Through the efforts Rev King and other civil rights movement leaders America were able to achieve racial reconciliation.
In South Africa, Archbishop Desmond Tutu is one of the most well-known human rights activists, winning the 1984 Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts in resolving and ending apartheid. Known as the voice of the voiceless Black South Africans he was an outspoken critic of apartheid. In neighboring Uganda, Cardinal Emmanuel Kiwanuka Nsubuga was an opponent of human rights abuses of the military dictatorship of Idi Amin.
Religious leaders today need to emulate such spirit of uplifting marginalized communities. Bishop Abraham Yel Nhial of Aweil Diocese, South Sudan serves as good example through his humanitarian spirit especially in Kakuma refugee camp (North West Kenya) and Aweil Diocese. During these Covid-19 times, Bishop Abraham used his leadership and public health skills to educated refugees in the camp to wash hands with soap, wear masks, social distance and avoid community gatherings.
Bishop Abraham has long been a champion of socioeconomic transformation and mostly passionate about increasing access to quality affordable education. From his meager resources and support from friends and partners, Bishop Abraham has built over 11 primary and secondary schools in Aweil Diocese. This is a major milestone given that most of the schools were destroyed during the war and the quality of education in existing schools is wanting. More children in the community can now afford quality education for free and at a subsidized rate. The Bishop also built one pastoral college named after Bishop John Malou Ater the oldest Bishop of Aweil Diocese that his mission was interrupted by civil war 1983.
Bishop Abraham has also initiated so many programs that benefit the Diocese and society as a whole. The Diocese supports orphanage centers, looks out for and cares for street children. He has also mentored a number of young leaders who would otherwise be lost in the world. Church leaders in South Sudan should emulate not only Bishop Abraham’s works but the spirit behind it. The Bible tells us that generosity yields an amazing crop! When we refresh others through giving, we are refreshed ourselves. As Luke 6:38 says, “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Instead of indulging in debates about divisive politics, Religious leaders can steer socioeconomic transformation through real life preaching that touches the ills of society. Given their status and connections, they can easily lobby support from friends, partners, and congregants to reach out to vulnerable sections of society with poverty reduction programs such as vocational skills for youth and women, water hygiene and sanitation interventions such as provision of boreholes in communities worst hit by drought, distribution of relief items like food and water to displaced persons, sensitization of communities on HIV, Covid-19, Malaria and other health challenges.
Proverbs 28:27 says “Those who give to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to them receive many curses.” God’s Word is clear that we are called to help the poor. It may be a simple encouraging word, a smile or an act of kindness. Or maybe God may call you to take up the cause of the needy by defending their rights.
The Church and religious leaders are therefore called upon to emphasize the need for followed to apply their faith to their various fields and disciplines, from the marketplace, professions, politics to the business environment which will invariably lead to socio-economic transformation of our motherland South Sudan.
Author was the World Bank Blog4Dev2019 Winner for South Sudan||A member of the Youth Transforming Africa||Mandela Scholar. He Can be reach via; atemathior@gmail.com
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