Worship continues in the midst of conflict – Sudan’s civil war, two years on

Today (15 April) marks two years since civil war broke out in Sudan between Sudan’s Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Response Forces (RSF). Life is extremely difficult for everyone, including Christians – but your prayers and gifts mean that the church is standing strong and remaining hopeful.

“I have lost all my possessions; my house is burnt and everything we had in the house is completely gone. Even the church is burnt, and everything in it is all gone.” 

This is the reality for Abdo* (69), a Sudanese church leader displaced from his home in Gezira State. His story reflects the reality for the civilians caught in the crosshairs of Sudan’s war. 

It’s now been two years since violence exploded between Sudan’s Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Response Forces (RSF) – and the Sudanese people continue to pay cost. Reported as the world’s largest and most devastating humanitarian crisis, more than 12.5 million people have been displaced, with 25 million people facing food shortages. Mass sexual violence, outbreaks of diseases and economic collapse mean that there is no reprieve for Sudan’s people. 

• What is happening in Sudan? 

After Abdo’s house and church were destroyed, he fled with his family, but life remains difficult. “I can’t work, and so it’s a struggle to feed my family, and my children can’t go to school,” he says.  

Christians additionally vulnerable 

Christians make up a tiny minority in Sudan – just 4% of the population – but are just as affected by the war as the rest of the country. Neither the SAF nor the RSF welcome Christians, and since the start of the war, more than 100 church buildings have been damaged, and Christians have been abducted and killed. 

Additionally, Christians are experiencing exceptional hardship in the hunger crisis as local communities discriminate against them because of their faith and won’t give them support. And many of the churches that could support believers with aid distribution are on the run.  

Some Christians, including church leaders, have fled Sudan. But most believers don’t have the means to flee. Instead, they find themselves in overcrowded displacement camps where life is extremely difficult. 

Displacement, Abdo says, is a huge challenge for the church: “Because of this war, many people are scattered. Many have lost the father of the family. When we think of the difficulty the church is experiencing, it is that people are fleeing without anything. They left without taking any belongings – or what they did have was looted.” 

Worship in the midst of war 

But inside these camps and throughout Sudan, worship continues, with believers meeting for fellowship wherever they can. 

Abdo has been a bishop in the church for 15 years, and he is resolute in his faith. “The war cannot stop the worshiping of the Lord,” he says. “We have been able to worship the Lord wherever we are. Even under the trees. The war might stay, but it gives us both strength to worship the Lord and to stand in faith.” 

As Sudanese believers continue to worship and follow Jesus, Open Doors partners are walking with them. Last year, thanks to you, our partners were able to reach more than 2,000 families with life-saving relief aid. And they are in the process of assessing opportunities to offer further support. 

• Five ways to pray for Sudan  

“Your prayer is very important to us” 

After two years of war, a negotiated end to the violence has still not been reached. There’s no end in sight and no signs of peace for the Sudanese people and the church. Yet, as our brother Abdo continues to worship God, we also know that nothing can come between the Lord and His people. And as His people, we are called to continue to stand with him and the church in Sudan. 

“We don’t ask that the Lord bless you so you can bless us,” shares a displaced church leader. “But we ask that He encourages you to continue in prayer. And your prayer is very important us. Pray that peace finds its home in Sudan.” 

“Please do not give up praying and supporting Christians in Sudan,” asks Fikiru Mehari*, an Open Doors expert for the region. “Decades of brutal pressure have failed to silence them. Our continued support to this small and marginalised, yet courageous, Christian community is paramount if we want to ensure that the Christian witness in this Muslim-dominated society is retained for generations to come.” 

*Names changed for security reasons