Evangelical Relief Ministry Seeing Gradual Success in Sudan

By Kenneth Chan, Thursday, February 24, 2005

A global, Oklahoma-based ministry that reaches out to refugees and nomadic Muslims with the gospel is currently involved in ongoing work in the war-torn nation of Sudan. Strategic World Impact (SWI), which has been working in Eastern Sudan for the past five years, reports successes even its outreach among Muslims.

In a recent interview with Mission Network News (MNN), SWI president Kevin Turner spoke of the ministry and how it has worked gradually to establish a rapport with the natives of the area.

"When we first started our outreach in this region, the people were pretty closed," Turner explained. "But over five years, we've been able to build credibility with them."

And because of their trust in the ministry workers' genuine concern, Turner noted, "We've been able to share the JESUS Film, distribute some literature for them to read, and we've even had several Muslims now request Bibles."

And even in its outreach among Muslims, SWI is seeing successes, MNN reported. "We're seeing people turn from Islam to follow Jesus, and it's really very rewarding in this area," Turner says. Each success contributes to the SWI's goal of reaching Eastern Sudan for Christ, one person at a time.

In addition to the ongoing evangelistic work and humanitarian assistance it is conducting in both the Sudan-Eritrea border region, Strategic World Impact is also providing assistance to the tsunami-affected regions of Indonesia.

According to the ministry, SWI Disaster Assistance Response Teams have been delivering aid and hope in the hardest-hit area, Banda Aceh Province on Indonesia's Sumatra Island, since Jan. 6 when the SWI Assessment Team first arrived.