Prayer for the Nation: Malakal Pastor's Fellowship

We mentioned in the last newsletter that urban work has been significantly different from what we have been used to in the rural areas.  One of the notable differences is the number of churches.  In rural areas there was usually the one church but here in Malakal town there are some thirty scattered around.  As a result of the multiplicity of churches there are a number of ways that collaborative work can take place.  One such initiative has been the Malakal Pastor’s Fellowship.  Their specific goal is to 1) pray for the nation; 2) fellowship and refresh one another and; 3) organize interdenominational events together.  The group was interested not in building their own “churches” but in working together ecumenically where possible.

A number of pastors from different churches met recently, hosted by the reformed church.  We were all encouraged by a Baptist pastor who  led us through a reading in Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians.  It reminded us that we have been given the work of reconciliation and that we are His ambassadors.  Also having been given an opportunity to share, I talked about humility.  That we are fundamentally all the same and that pastors do not occupy a higher position.  We are all saved by grace and grace alone that no one would boast in their own merit.

It has been a refreshment to be plugged into this group and to get to know others who are working in Malakal.  As tough times come, it is a comfort to know that there are others there that can encourage and spur us on in this journey.