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Can the Gospel Really Spread During a Civil War in Sudan?

The short answer is yes. Despite three years of devastating conflict that has displaced millions, the Gospel is moving faster than ever in Sudan. Local church planters are reporting record numbers of baptisms, and Bible translation projects for major languages like Sudanese Arabic and Masalit are on track to be completed this year. What is happening in Sudan right now? Since the spring of 2023, Sudan has been locked in a brutal civil war. By March 2026, the statistics remain staggering: an...

The short answer is yes. Despite three years of devastating conflict that has displaced millions, the Gospel is moving faster than ever in Sudan. Local church planters are reporting record numbers of baptisms, and Bible translation projects for major languages like Sudanese Arabic and Masalit are on track to be completed this year. What is happening in Sudan right now? Since the spring of 2023, Sudan has been locked in a brutal civil war. By March 2026, the statistics remain staggering: an estimated 150,000 people have lost their lives, and over 13 million people have been forced to flee their homes. It is currently one of the most severe humanitarian crises on the planet. Families have been torn apart, and infrastructure in cities like Khartoum has been decimated. Yet, in the middle of this darkness, a "hidden" story is unfolding. While the headlines focus on the movement of troops, there is a massive movement of the Holy Spirit. Church planters working on the ground have reported that the war has paradoxically opened doors that were closed for decades. Because people have lost everything, they are searching for a foundation that cannot be shaken. Gospel workers recently celebrated the graduation of 322 Muslim-background believers from 89 different tribes into active ministry. These aren't just new converts; they are leaders being trained to reach their own people in the midst of a war zone. The breakthrough in Bible translation One of the most significant hurdles for the Sudanese church has always been access to Scripture in a language they can actually understand. For years, outside organizations led these efforts, which made the work vulnerable to political instability. When the war broke out, many foreign workers had to leave. However, an organization called unfoldingWord has seen a major breakthrough by empowering local believers to lead the translation process themselves. Because the work is now locally led, it hasn't stopped. Currently, translation teams are finishing the New Testament in Sudanese Arabic and Masalit: two of the most vital languages in the region. The Sudanese Arabic team is even projected to finish the entire Old Testament by 2027. These translators aren't working in quiet offices. They are working in refugee camps and temporary shelters. As they translate a chapter, they immediately take those verses and preach them to their neighbors. They are translating, applying, and ministering all at once. The Word of God is literally being "unfolded" in real-time for people who are desperate for hope. Both sides of the story: Security risks vs. Spiritual receptivity When we look at Sudan, we have to hold two truths in balance. On one hand, the humanitarian concerns are dire. Security risks are at an all-time high. Forcing ministry to continue in these areas can be seen by some as an unnecessary risk to life. Aid agencies are struggling to get food and medicine to those in need because of the fighting, and there is a constant threat of persecution for those who leave their traditional faith to follow Jesus. On the other hand, many local believers argue that they cannot wait for "peace" to share the Gospel. For them, the Gospel is the only thing providing peace right now. They see the displacement of 13 million people not just as a tragedy, but as a "divine scattering" that is bringing the Gospel to unreached tribes in refugee camps that were previously inaccessible. The receptivity to the message of Christ is at an all-time high. People who once refused to listen to a Gospel worker are now asking for prayer and Scripture. The choice to be baptized in a war zone is a massive statement of faith, and it’s happening daily. Why this matters to us in the Mid-South You might wonder why a conflict in North Africa matters to us here at The McReport or for those of us living in the Memphis area. First, Memphis has long been a city that welcomes the stranger. We have a vibrant community of refugees from all over the world, including East Africa. The people we see in the news are often the family members of the people sitting next to us in our local shops or schools. Second, this story reminds us that the Bible isn't just a book of history: it’s a living document. When we see believers in Sudan risking everything to get a New Testament in their own language, it should challenge us to treasure the Bibles we have sitting on our nightstands. It connects our local faith to a global family. When one part of the Body of Christ suffers, we all suffer. When they rejoice in a breakthrough, we rejoice with them. A Biblical perspective: The Spirit moves in the desert From an Assemblies of God perspective, we believe in the "Pentecostal reality" of the Great Commission. In the Book of Acts, it was often persecution that pushed the early church out of Jerusalem and into new territories. We see the four-fold Gospel at work in Sudan: Salvation: Hundreds of people from unreached tribes are finding Christ. Baptism in the Holy Spirit: Local workers report that it is the power of the Spirit giving them the courage to stay and serve. Divine Healing: In refugee camps where medicine is scarce, many are turning to God for physical healing and seeing miracles. The Second Coming: The urgency of the work in Sudan is driven by the belief that every tribe and tongue must hear the Gospel before the Lord returns. The prophet Isaiah once wrote, "I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert" (Isaiah 43:19). This is exactly what we are seeing. In the "wilderness" of the Sudanese civil war, God is carving out a river of life through His Word. Life Takeaway: How to respond with practical peace It is easy to feel paralyzed by the news coming out of Sudan. But we aren't called to be paralyzed; we are called to be prayerful and proactive. Pray for the Translators: Specifically, pray for the Masalit and Sudanese Arabic teams. Pray for their physical safety and for the accuracy of their work as they finish the New Testament this year. Support the "Hidden" Work: Look for organizations like unfoldingWord or AGWM (Assemblies of God World Missions) that are supporting local leaders on the ground rather than just sending in outside experts. Value the Word: Let the hunger of the Sudanese believers inspire you. Spend time in your Bible today, recognizing the privilege of having the Word in your own language. Stay Calm: Remember that God is not surprised by global conflicts. He is moving in the middle of them. If you are feeling overwhelmed, confused, or emotionally drained by the news cycle: your reaction is not “weak.” It’s human. We invite you into a Jesus-centered community for spiritual family and care at BoundlessOnlineChurch.org. If you need private, personal guidance during a hard season, Dr. Layne McDonald offers Christian coaching and mentoring at LayneMcDonald.com. Stay grounded, stay hopeful, and keep pointing to Jesus. Source: Mission Network News (March 23, 2026), unfoldingWord.

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Dr. Layne McDonald
Creative Pastor • Filmmaker • Musician • Author
Memphis, TN

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