In March, ITMI’s Lazarus Yezinai traveled to Yambio, South Sudan, west of his home in South Sudan’s capital city, Juba.

Lazarus had been invited to equip 57 pastors and leaders from 16 different denominations for ministry. The format was a two-day conference.

Lazarus taught the first two lessons of the SALT discipleship material.

Lazarus reports, “Pastors were very happy and they said it is the first time for them to have such kind of teaching. They have attended many spiritual or church conferences, but this one is very unique and touches the spirit and heart.”

After Lazarus’ teaching, many were convicted of and confessed to acting as if they were God by judging, controlling, and seeking praise that belongs to God alone.

Lazarus was invited to return later to continue this training to ensure more people could hear this valuable teaching from the Word of God.

After the two day conference teaching SALT, Lazarus was invited to teach about tithes, offering, and freewill giving to another group of church leaders.

He spent two days sharing from God’s Word on this topic. After Lazarus’ teaching, those in attendance participated in an offering that totaled 40,000 SSP (about $300 USD) more than their average Sunday offering of 7,000 SSP (about $50 USD).

(SSP stands for South Sudanese Pounds.)

Clearly, the Lord had worked in the hearts of those present through Lazarus’ words!

After returning from this conference, Lazarus reported, “I have one serious prayer request which I need your help.” Lazarus went on to alert us that there had been a violent uprising in Juba County. Houses were burned and 6,000 were displaced, including some of Lazarus’ own brothers and sisters. Praise the Lord, all of his kin avoided physical injury.

“People are suffering. …South Sudan is in a bad state of tension. Only God knows what is going to happen tomorrow, but our faith is in Jesus Christ, he will help His people to go through whatever is going to come or happen. So as brothers and sisters in Christ, your prayers are highly needed.”

Our long-time South Sudanese partner, Vicky Waraka, was heading back from village meetings when she and her group encountered men with guns who were seeking vengeance because three people they knew were killed. We are still verifying the details of this report, but so far, we understand that shots were fired.

In the middle of these difficulties, Lazarus and Vicky continue to minister, working to bring hope through prayer, visits, and God’s Word. Lazarus’ sports ministry continues to reach youth affected by the unrest in South Sudan.

Many of the youth who participate in this ministry on soccer teams are members of gangs and live on the streets.

This happens for various reasons; during uprisings, youth can be separated from their families and then join a gang to help them survive, some may voluntarily leave home because their parents are so hurting and broken that they become abusive or unable to provide, while others are orphaned.

Recently, Lazarus’ ministry was able to provide some of the soccer players with audio Bibles! Since most don’t have the opportunity to attend school or learn to read, God’s Word in audio format is an effective way for them to absorb God’s Word.

The suffering in South Sudan are hungry for God’s Word! Your support of ITMI, your generosity in partnering with our godly nationals like Lazarus, and your provision of items from our Christmas Catalog continue to enable our partners to make disciples among the nations.

Let us re-invigorate our commitment to prayer for the nations and ITMI partners as they serve faithfully. Let us together remember South Sudan in our prayers, asking the Lord for revival that leads to true faith and obedience!