Photo: John Wollwerth | wollwerthimagery.com

Petros Network took courageous steps this year to partner with Pastor Kirk Yamaguchi and Canyon View Vineyard Church to plant 26 churches in South Sudan in February.  Working alongside the United Evangelical Churches and 15 indigenous denominations, we have set our hearts, with God’s help, to plant 200 churches within the next two years.

 

South Sudan — Ready for the Good News!

South Sudan is bordered by Ethiopia to the east, Kenya to the southeast, Uganda to the south, the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the southwest, the Central Africa Republic to the west and Sudan to the north.

South Sudan is a new country having just become an independent state July 2011.  It has been a country that has been ravaged by civil war, religious persecution, and upheaval and violence of every kind. It is truly a land that needs the hope of the gospel.  That is why we are there, to work with local denominations to raise up indigenous leaders to proclaim the good news of the gospel, set the captives free, and share about a new life with Christ.

Jesus said , “If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14)  This is our prayer for the people of South Sudan and you can help us make this a reality by sponsoring a church plant.  Jesus also said the church is the hope of the world. We believe healing will come to South Sudan through indigenous biblical communities and the redemptive lift that follows each church plant.

Learn what your sponsorship of just $2950 to plant a church in South Sudan provides >>

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The Name of Jesus is being declared to the West Shewa Zone of Ethiopia! The preaching of the Good News of the gospel, accompanied with miracles and signs of Jesus, draws people to him in incredible numbers. The gospel is bringing community transformation and life-style change to every village into which we have sent missionaries!

 

– Alayu Kebede,
Executive Director

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A year and a half ago, we sent a church planter (missionary) by the name of Wondemu Kebeta to a very spiritually dark and witchdoctor-dominant area. There was not a single believer in this village. His newness to the village, and the act of the witchdoctors frustrated him, and he asked if he could change to another village. We promised him our prayer support and he continued to courageously present Christ to that village.

The local witchdoctor learned that Wondemu was preaching the gospel and taking the people from his “rule.” The witchdoctor told the people, “No one can preach to his people and no can live under my rule if he refuses me.”  The people feared the witchdoctor, even bowing down for his horse when the horse ate or destroyed their harvest.  But, Wondemu kept preaching.  The witchdoctor grew more angry and sent out an edict that if someone would kill the preacher, he would pay $5000 birr.  A local gunman agreed to receive the money and kill the man of God. He went to the missionary’s house and waited outside the home the entire day to kill him.  Meanwhile, the missionary was praying inside the house. At the end of the day, the gunman confronted our missionary and told him that he came to kill him.  Wondemu said “God will not allow you to kill me.” And the gunman left. Then, two other men came and started to beat our missionary, even then Wondemu was spared and he escaped that day. Frustrated, the witchdoctor ordered the local government officials to imprison Wondemu, but the officials refused!

At the end of the day, the gunman confronted our missionary and told him that he came to kill him.  Wondemu said “God will not allow you to kill me.” And the gunman left.

Wondemu continued to present the gospel message from home to home and the new converts increased every day. He was allowed to build a church by the local government when they saw the tremendous growth of the church. But the witchdoctor sent people to burn the newly started building. The missionary announced to the people to fast and pray, and the local government found favor with the church and defended them.

Church Planter, Wondimu Kebata

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Wandemu conducted a conference in his village in October, which lead to the establishment of his second church:  A father came on horse back to the conference and brought a young paralytic man who had been in bed for a year and half. His father had already spent about 1000 USD dollars for witchdoctors and hospitals. The missionary prayed for this young man and his paralytic leg was filled with flesh in front of hundreds of people.  Upon his healing, the young man began running around the building. His father was very excited and ran to his village announcing, “My son is healed!” The missionary followed the father to the village and presented the gospel message to the people who came to see the miracle. Thirty-seven people gave their lives to Christ right there and the second church was born.

The story does not end there. The missionary went back to the conference and while he was preaching, a paralytic woman, who watched the healing of the boy, cried out and asked ‘’Can I stand up and walk?” The missionary with loud voice said “Yes, stand up and run in the mighty name of Jesus”.  She stood and ran.  Twenty people accepted Christ at that service. Within a year and a half of ministry, 273 people joined the first church and 46 people joined the second church.  The first church has constructed their building and they are praying for a building for the second church. Because of the move of God in the first village, the power of the witchdoctors has been weakened and people are refusing to follow them.  God’s name is being glorified and His power is being made known to the people.

Pray for God’s continual blessings on the community.
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The Ethiopian Call:  Planting Thriving Churches in Unreached Villages Across Ethiopia

The Ethiopian Call: We are launching into the SW Shewa Zone of Ethiopia into 393 unreached villages. All a church planter needs is your support! It is our vision that every soul will hear of the Gospel of saving grace through Jesus Christ regardless of how remote the location. - Petros Network

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There are several ways to participate in planting a church:

1. Personal Investment: Give a one-time  $1,850 gift to launch a new church plant.
2. Group Investment: Join with other Kingdom investors to co-sponsor a church plant.
3. Recurring Investment: Through our online gifts module, schedule recurring donations and watch your support grow until you have sponsored a church plant.

Every little bit helps and can add up in big ways. Church planters are released when 75% of their church is funded.

 What you will receive as a sponsor and church planting partner:

• When you sponsor 100% of a church plant you can name your church.
• You will receive a packet introducing you to the pastor of your church plant.
• You will receive a report twice per year over the next two years from the pastor of your church plant. This report will include a picture of the pastor, details of his/her prayer needs, a description of his/her community, and a progress report of converts, baptisms, church attendance, and churches that have been planted out of his/her church.
• Ethiopian coordinators will translate letters and communicate messages between donors and their church planters.
• You will be given the opportunity to travel with the Petros Network team during a training conference to visit with your pastor and, if conditions permit, to travel to your sponsored church.  Travel expenses are your responsibility, but Petros Network can coach you in building personal support for the cost of your trip.

You will experience the rare privilege of investing in something that will transform an entire nation, change countless lives for all eternity, release heaven’s blessings back to you, and bring great glory to God.

Pastor John Wandera of Uganda has been selected as the indigenous leader for this major outreach.  Pastor John has already planted forty-six churches in Uganda, Kenya, and South Sudan.  Beyond what John has done professionally, and for the Kingdom of God, he also has a heart for orphaned children. He currently supports 350 children through an orphanage. John and his wife, Jesca, are parents to eighteen children, four bioligical and fourteen adopted.