Story number 1 for 1 Aug 2002

(Sudan)–Headlining today’s news, ministry in Sudan is moving forward despite the most recent violence, which claimed the life of a World Vision worker. Despite Monday’s attack, Words of Hope’s Lee DeYoung says they plan to move forward with a recording studio in the region. DeYoung believes it was an isolated incident and he’s actually optimistic about the future. “We have been excited about the prospects for peace, which appear to be more hopeful with the signing of at least some agreement in principle. This may lead to a situation where movement will be freer to reach the people who are neediest.” However, DeYoung says this type of violence has actually been a catalyst for church growth. “Because people see that life can not be taken for granted and so they’ve confronted spiritual issue with a greater sense of urgency. And, I think that’s one of the reasons why, humanly speaking, the church is growing faster in southern Sudan that anywhere else in the world.”