By Brad Phillips

I’ve been immensely privileged and blessed to be part of this ministry to the persecuted church in Sudan for more than 27 years. One advantage I get from this experience is a “high altitude” view on events in that part of the world relevant to its recent history.

I can tell you that Sudan is at a major crossroad. While it faces the greatest humanitarian and security crisis in its history since independence in 1956, it also could be on the verge of some sweeping changes that could create a space for freedom and peace to flourish.

As it currently stands, Sudan has broken into several pieces. One of those pieces is Southern Kordofan, home to the Nuba mountains and the largest community of Christians in the country.

This region has been effectively governed since 2011 by the Sudanese People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N). The SPLM-N advocates for the self-determination of the Nuba people and the de-coupling of radical Islam from the state. While many members of the SPLM-N are Muslim, they share a common blood, history, and commitment to freedom of religion as the majority Christian segment of the population.

My own belief is that the process of winning the peace in Sudan entails the US and other international players ending their long-standing policy of legitimizing and propping up the Islamist Establishment in Sudan. Instead, these countries should form new alliances with the pro-democratic and religious freedom parties within the fractured nation (such as the SPLM-N). It means recognizing the right of self-determination by all Sudanese and opening new avenues of trade and development in areas like the Nuba mountains.

My hope is that a new American administration means a new team that will change course from the failed policies of the past, and which have resulted in Sudan becoming the world’s worst humanitarian crisis today.

Persecution Project is not a political or lobbying organization, but we do recognize that policies affect much of the environment in which we work. Please continue to pray for the persecuted church in Sudan.

In the meantime, we will continue to stand in solidarity with the Nuba church as it ministers to the physical and spiritual needs of its community.

Our famine response is still ongoing, and thousands of children have now received therapeutic food and medical treatment thanks to the active compassion of ministry partners like you.

I hope these pictures encourage you in your prayers and giving.