The Late Bishop Nathaniel Garang Anyieth’s Inspirational Role in the Growth of Christianity in South Sudan
By Awuol Gabriel Arok, Juba, South Sudan
Sunday, 15 March 2026 (PW) — Those of us who grew up within the deep currents of our social and cultural history were early exposed to the beliefs and oral traditions of our ancestors, stories of Deng Abiiy Tak, Luang’e Loor, Mayom de Kongor, and the old tale-songs such as “ruun kadiak kewuou kuoi ehkuiin loorda Mayom; ye ngo lo yoot cee yaar eh Mayomda,” and “maanga-nhom Pajombaa ku cam tik piony eh Duonytung ca biith dhonge Kongor.”
In the middle of 1992, word spread that Bishop Nathaniel Garang Anyieth Jangdit, the head of our area’s Christian liberation struggle, would visit our locality. His team, known as “Jeny de Këritho,” meaning “Soldiers of Christ,” had already become renowned for challenging the hold of the traditional gods that many feared.
One evening, my brother James, one of the earliest converts to the new faith and an active participant in the liberation struggle, called a meeting. He told us about the great Man of God who was coming for what he described as a Christian liberation visit. He explained that we would be baptized, marking a complete turning away from our old ways and entry into the circle of the new faith. As part of the doctrine, he added, we would also receive new names from the Bible.
To convince us, he cited his own Christian name, James, as an example. At that moment, there was little room for hesitation. Rather than fill the moment with questions born of stubborn curiosity, I chose a name I already knew: Gabriel. I had borrowed it from one of the respected elders of our area, Hon. Gabriel Achuoth Deng-Karkawan, a seasoned politician who hailed from my backyard. My elder sister chose Elizabeth, perhaps inspired by the well-known Nyane Kawaja named Elizabeth who vaccinated children in the early 1990s in Pawel de Kongor. My nephews selected John and Abraham, respectively.
Only later did we learn that these names carried deep biblical significance, Gabriel, the angel of good news; Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist; John the Baptist himself; and Abraham, the father of nations. A few days later, we were taken to church and baptized by the most revered man of our new faith, Bishop Nathaniel Garang Anyieth. That was how I was welcomed into Christianity.
Years later, I came to know many of the great pastoral shepherds who carried forward the work of the Church: Tito Chuol Ayii (Khornyin, Kongor), Nyoch Malang (Payath, Kongor), Simon Thach Gaal (Khornyin, Kongor), Samuel Majok Deng Mathiang (Bor), Simon Majok Anyang (Bor), Kezekiah Barach Mabior (Kuach, Ajuong), Daniel Dau-Lenpeel Deng (Pareng, Kongor), John Kelei Chiengkou (Bor), Rebecca Lueth Wël (Padol, Kongor), Mary Achol Deng-Nuer (Nyarweng), Joseph Akol Ghak (Bor), Mathayo Mabior Garang, Samuel Majok Tuil (Ayual), Michael Ajang Mabior, Joseph Mabior Garang, John Machar Thon (Hol), Mark Akuien Ghak, Benjamin Mangar Mamur (Yirol), Peter Bol Arok (Dachuek), Gabriel Roric Jur (, Peter Garang Thieel (Dachuek), Philip Ang’ony Chol (Juet, Bor), Ezekiel Diing Ajang Malang (Payath, Kongor), Elijah Abuoi Arok (Adhiok), Hillary Garang Deng Awer (Ayual), Daniel Deng Bul (Awulian), Akuurdit Ngong Akuurdit (Palek, Bor), Mark Atem Thuch (Awulian), Nathaniel Bol Nyok (Bor), Abraham Mayom Athian, and many others.
After Bishop Nathaniel retired from active pastoral leadership, Panchol Deng Ajang sang in one of his songs that Nathanieldit did not leave the chair because he was unable to continue, but because Anglican law required retirement. Yet he left behind steadfast commanders in the persons of Akol Ghak, Rebecca Lueth, and Achol Deng-Nuer, so that the devil might never again resume its cunning mistreatment of Christians.
Let self-idolized worship not resurface after the passing of Raandit Bishop Nathaniel. If respect is truly due, then preserving the chain of his selfless commitment will be the greatest way to honor his deeds among his followers and admirers. Do not break the chain of a long-journeyed sacrifice. May the fruits born of his principled devotion and unconditional sacrifice continue to flourish long after his physical departure.
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