Youth leader’s joy as visiting ministry inspires next generation to spread Gospel for miles in every direction.
Children are hitting the airwaves in South Sudan to share Bible verses after a powerful impact from a training team, flown by MAF, to remote communities served by Every Village.
Pastor Yoan Dobidi Boraja says the impact of Awana Ministry in Mvolo, in Western Equatoria State, is changing lives.
“I really thank God for His mercy and love for sending Awana to help children live to know Christ. Since the Awana programme started, the number of children growing in my church (Dogirima Episcopal Church Sub-Parish) has increased, and it is really bringing about change. Children can now stand in front of people and share God’s Word without fear,” he shares.
In 2023 Every Village began a partnership with Awana Ministries, a ministry that equips church leaders to disciple children, to reach kids in the communities they serve with clean water, gospel radio and discipleship programmes.
The team of three trainers from Awana flew with MAF pilots Reuben Vermeulen and Jesse Barendregt between Mvolo and Tonj.
“MAF has been a huge help in getting trainers from Kenya to the remote places Every Village serves and is a large part of why kids in South Sudan have access to Awana Bible Clubs in their churches,” explains Every Village Development Representative Blake Jones.
Pastor Yoan shares how the children who have benefited from child discipleship have reached the whole community.
“Many people have come to Jesus through the impact of the children,” he says.
“One day, Akoo FM 99.9 came to our church and recorded the children’s voices as they spoke the verses they had learned. When I heard the children on the radio, I felt so excited!”
Akoo FM, the Every Village Gospel Radio Station in Mvolo, reaches more than 50 miles in every direction broadcasting programmes in the local Jur Modo language.
“Nowadays children have become evangelists to other children. At evening hours, they can teach prayer, singing, and even explain the stories as well,” he says.
“Personally, I came to know God when I was 30 years old and later became a pastor. When I preach, I look into the Bible and preach verse by verse. But with Awana, children can now tell the Bible stories without even having the Bible in their hands. This has great meaning to me —they are ready at all times. If someone asks them to preach, they can do it even without the Bible.”
He is also excited to see how the church is growing as adults as well as children come to faith in Jesus.
“Through Awana, I have witnessed more than 37 children come to Christ. In my church of Dogirima Sub-Parish, fathers and mothers of children have also come to know Jesus as Lord and Saviour. For example, one woman who previously did not attend church was moved by her children’s stories. Her heart was convicted, and she began attending services and even joined the Mothers’ Union within the church. Awana is impacting both children and parents,” he says.
“My prayer is for the Awana programme to continue in my church. I really appreciate the Awana team in Mvolo for their continued supervision of Awana activities across different churches — encouraging parents to send their children to Awana clubs. According to my observation, children’s behaviour has truly changed," Pastor Yoan says.
MAF has been a huge help in getting trainers from Kenya to the remote places Every Village serves and is a large part of why kids in South Sudan have access to Awana Bible Clubs in their churches.
Blake Jones, Every Village Development Representative