A call to prayer has been issued by Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) leaders for 10 South Sudanese humanitarian aid workers who disappeared April 26 in that country.
The full text of the call to prayer:
April 27, 2018
CALL TO PRAYER FOR MISSING AID WORKERS IN SOUTH SUDAN
Ten South Sudanese humanitarian aid workers disappeared on April 26th outside of Yei in South Sudan’s Central Equatoria region. Among the missing are two staff members from ACROSS, a global partner of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
“We are deeply concerned about the safety and well-being of these dedicated humanitarian workers,” said the Reverend Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). “I urge all Presbyterians to pray, not only for the safe return of the missing personnel, but also for the people of South Sudan and the diligent efforts of ACROSS, the United Nations, and the wide range of international agencies who are working to build justice and peace in South Sudan.”
The Reverend Debbie Braaksma, Presbyterian World Mission’s Africa Area Coordinator agreed. “We know that our partners at ACROSS and in other humanitarian organizations face risk or injury, abduction, or even death on a daily basis,” she added.
PC(USA) Mission Co-worker Leisa Wagstaff, who serves with the Presbyterian Church of South Sudan/Sudan as an education facilitator, met with ACROSS officials to express support and solidarity. “They are truly touched by the concern of the PC(USA) and are asking for continued prayers for the safety of their workers as well as the other missing humanitarian workers,” she reported.
Presbyterian World Mission urges people of faith in the United States to:
PRAY
- For the safety and well-being of all of South Sudan’s people, particularly humanitarian aid workers who risk their lives to address conflict and need.
- That all parties to South Sudan’s conflict will put the needs of the people above their own personal interests and will find genuine commitment to a peaceful future.
ACT
- Learn more about the situation in South Sudan. See World Mission’s South Sudan website, the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program and the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations’ “Swords into Plowshares” blog, and Presbyterian Disaster Assistance’s South Sudan webpage, for more resources.
- Write to your members of Congress and to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to share your concern about the situation in South Sudan. Urge U.S. officials in particular to take steps to promote the safety of humanitarian workers and to ensure that they have clear passage for the delivery of aid.
- Sign up for Action Alerts and other advocacy resources from the PC(USA)’s Office of Public Witness (OPW). In particular, see OPW’s most recent Action Alert for South Sudan.
GIVE
- Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) and Presbyterian World Mission are accompanying our South Sudanese partners as they respond to the crisis. PDA supports Presbyterian Relief and Disaster Assistance as they provide emergency relief and work to improve health and food security. Through World Mission’s South Sudan Education and Peace Building Project, RECONCILE (Resource Center for Civil Leadership) and the Presbyterian Church of South Sudan address the root causes of the war through peace-building, trauma recovery, and education ministries. Please support this work by making gifts to:
○ Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (DR000042)
○ South Sudan Education and Peace Building Project (E052172-1)