This week marks the beginning of an extraordinary collaboration between churches from three countries, united by one purpose: to train believers and advance the Good News of the Kingdom in some of the most difficult-to-reach parts of Africa.
Ten teachers from Korbel Theological College (KTC) in the Nuba Mountains, Sudan, along with Bishop Elsir of Heiban Diocese and Assistant Bishop Hassan of Kadugli Diocese, have travelled to Juba, South Sudan. Over two weeks (10–20 August 2025), they will be equipped to teach a one-year Certificate in Theology programme developed by the Nuba Mountains Bible Institute in Cairo (NBIC), part of the Alexandria School of Theology (AST).
The course is being taught by a gifted team from AST and NBIC: Rev Mark Takki and Abanoub Issac covering Old Testament studies; Dr Shady Mouneer on Systematic Theology; Fady Delor leading the New Testament modules; and Matta Nasry teaching Research Methodology.
This NBIC Certificate programme has been carefully developed in Cairo over many years to meet the specific needs of church leaders in Sudan. Since the outbreak of war, NBIC has continued to train Sudanese believers, many of whom have returned to their communities to serve faithfully despite immense challenges.
The vision now is for both NBIC and KTC to deliver the same one-year programme. If successful, this model could be extended to Shokai Theological College in Port Sudan and potentially even Omdurman, depending on the situation in the country.
For Relay Trust, it is a deep privilege to help make this possible. We see this as Kingdom partnership in action with the church in Egypt supporting the church in Sudan, while being hosted and enabled by the church in South Sudan. In these moments, we catch glimpses of the vision in Revelation, people from every nation working together, even in some of the most challenging places for Christians today.
Please pray for the success of this training, for the churches in all three countries, for an end to the war in Sudan, and for peace in South Sudan. We especially pray for peace in El Fasher and in Kajo-Keji at this time. Thy Kingdom Come.
