“I try to help in whatever way I can, because people need us. God brought us here to help people. That is why we have dedicated ourselves to this,” says Pastor Tariq*. He used to lead a large congregation in Khartoum, Sudan, until the terrible civil war broke out three years ago. Like many other Sudanese pastors, he helps as many war victims as possible while also focusing on training the next generation of church leaders. “We cannot just sit here and do nothing because of the war.”
Criminal war
Violence erupted in Sudan in April 2023. The ongoing conflict between the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) has claimed more than 400,000 lives. Several cities, including Darfur and Khartoum, have been devastated. Various foreign powers are now also involved in the conflict, which shows no sign of ending.
In 2025, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock declared that “the greatest humanitarian disaster of our time is unfolding before our very eyes”. That same year, the United Nations (UN) warned that rape was being used as a weapon of war. The following January, the prosecutor at the International Court of Justice in The Hague stated that “atrocities in the Sudanese region of Darfur were spreading from village to village as part of an organised campaign of violence consisting of mass executions, rape, and ethnic violence. This amounts to war crimes and crimes against humanity”.
Millions of people have fled the violence. With over 11 million refugees, the Sudanese refugee crisis is one of the largest in the world. Over four million have ended up in neighbouring countries such as Egypt, Chad, Ethiopia, Uganda and South Sudan. According to the UN, 1.6 million people have recently returned to Khartoum. The UN states that the humanitarian situation remains dire, with needs far exceeding the level of international aid.
““We simply do our work for God and preach the Word of God. We try to teach people, whether at school or in church.”
Faithful to Gods calling
Amidst the suffering, Pastor Tariq remains faithful to his calling for God’s Kingdom, just as he was before the war broke out: “At that time, we were training new church leaders – new, young pastors – so that they could carry out God’s work in the country.”
He recalls how he was persecuted for his faith before the war. “Since 2015, I have been arrested frequently, pursued by security personnel and interrogated. They have investigated what we do and why. We do nothing against the authorities. We simply do our work for God and preach the Word of God. We try to teach people, whether at school or in church.”
Although the war has brought this important work to a partial standstill, Tariq remains committed to his mission of preparing the next generation of church leaders. “Many people cannot afford the cost of the training, so we are now exploring alternative ways to train new leaders.”
Caring for refugees
At the same time, Tariq is focusing on helping the many Sudanese refugees. “Wherever we go, we are there to help. We are ready to share the Word of God with all kinds of people, wherever they may be. In the place where I now live, refugees are living in camps, and I try to work with some of them.”
Although they are now safe, Christian refugees in the camps face many other challenges. Conditions in the camps are harsh. Food, clean water and shelter are scarce. Among the believers in the camps are also Christians from Muslim backgrounds who need discipleship training.
According to Tariq, the refugees in the camps need help and encouragement. “We visit people and share the Word of God. With our limited resources, we sometimes organise some sort of training for young people and children. We simply try to be there for them and encourage them with the Word of God.”
Constant pressure and temptation
Rafat Samir, another Sudanese church leader, speaks about the challenges faced by the Christian community due to constant uncertainty. “The epicentres of the war shift every day. The war zones are expanding too. The church in those areas is suffering as a result of the war.”
According to Samir, many people have died not from gunshot wounds, but from a lack of food and medicine, and often from a complete absence of medical care. “Where medical care is available, the costs are shockingly high and almost no one can afford it. Many Christians are suffering under the weight of the troubles facing the country. Every day, they hear news of family members who have been killed in the fighting.”
He explains that certain groups loyal to the Islamic government in Khartoum are attempting to gain control over parts of the Christian community. “These groups are recruiting Christians who are in dire straits so that they can continue the fight,” he says. “Believers are struggling due to unemployment. As a result, they have little choice but to join armed groups and militias. The many refugees in the north are also under constant pressure and are tempted to join armed groups.”
““We are deeply grateful for your decision to stand by us during this tragic time, particularly given the ongoing immense pressure faced by the church in Darfur and throughout Sudan.”
Strengthened by emergency aid
By the end of 2025, Open Doors, with the help of local partners, had distributed relief supplies to more than 1,300 families across Sudan. These included widows, women and children who had to run a household on their own. In addition, the elderly, diabetics, those with disabilities and the most vulnerable returning refugee families received aid. Pastors, who were trying to help others but were unable to feed their own families, also received aid.
A woman who fled Khartoum and was ill, bedridden and unable to pay for treatment says, “The help arrived just when I was in a great deal of pain. I was overjoyed and thanked God from the bottom of my heart for answering my prayers. This meant that I was able to go straight to hospital. Thank you for your generous help in these difficult circumstances.”
A partner from one of the churches shared: “We are deeply grateful for your decision to stand by us during this tragic time, particularly given the ongoing immense pressure faced by the church in Darfur and throughout Sudan. Your generosity has not only alleviated practical needs, but it has also strengthened faith, restored hope and reminded many who are suffering that they are not alone.”
Sudan rankt 4th on the World Watch List.
(* Pseudonym)
Please pray for Sudan
- Please continue to pray for an end to the civil war in Sudan.
- Pray that the two main warring factions, the RSF and the SAF, will treat the Christian minority with kindness.
- Pray that sufficient aid will become available and reach the places where it is needed.
- Pray for church leaders in Sudan and ask that they may receive the resources, wisdom and courage to serve their communities.
