by Brad Phillips
“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Mt 4:4)
My friend Pastor Musa has been a minister of the Gospel in Sudan for more than 45 years. When war broke out in Khartoum on April 15th, 2023, Musa played a courageous role in shepherding thousands of believers to the relative safe haven of the Nuba mountains.
Musa was ready to lay down his own life to save others, as he placed himself in the center of danger, loading dozens of vehicles with the most vulnerable members of his community: women, children, the sick and elderly.
Staying behind until he had done all he could, Pastor Musa boarded the last bus out.
Now back in the Nuba mountains, Musa continues to minister to those in his community by helping Persecution Project coordinate teams of Nuba evangelists with delivery of “spiritual food” to families seeking to rebuild their lives after losing nearly everything.
We know that “faith comes by hearing” (Romans 10:17). This is especially true in places like the Nuba mountains, where large segments of the population needing God’s Word are illiterate.
As you know, we often focus on the overwhelming life and death physical needs for survival, such as safe water, emergency shelter tarps, and lifesaving medical aid to our brothers and sisters. And you’ve always responded.
Spiritual Food
But for the past three decades, I have been reminded time and again that a priority for persecuted believers is spiritual food.
Often our first request from our persecuted brothers and sisters is “please can you bring me a Bible?”
Christians in the Nuba must face their most historic and existential crisis ever. Nearly half the population of Sudan has been violently uprooted from their homes. More than 10 million Sudanese live in famine conditions. A million others have been killed during the last 16 months.
While there are many urgent physical needs to ensure survival, Nuba Christians realize only with God’s guidance and presence in their lives can they have real shelter, real sustenance, and real hope for the future.
God’s Word Brings Light and Life
“In the beginning was the Word.” (John 1:1) He was before light, before land, and before water. Before anything was the Word.
Handheld, solar-powered audio Bibles have proven by far to be the most sought after and effective means of delivering God’s Word to spiritually hungry believers, their families and their communities in the most remote and restricted regions of Sudan.
This is true spiritual food. And right now, the spiritual famine in Sudan is real. Close to one million people have sought refuge in the Nuba mountains region.
Audio Bibles are especially important for reaching many “seekers” among the Muslim community within the Nuba. After years of “Islamization” and “Arabization,” these refugees are now being exposed to the love and hope of the Gospel.
Persecution Project is a Christian ministry seeking to engage in “active compassion” for the persecuted. Active compassion covers both body and soul, and right now, the persecuted in Sudan need spiritual food.
Please pray that God will continue to bless the efforts of Pastor Musa and provide for the spiritual hunger of His people through the ministry of Persecution Project.
