 South Sudan Update (“kairos”—a propitious, providential moment)
The situation in S. Sudan is a less-stable instability than last December, although Juba remains quiet. The government seems to successfully quell armed rebellion where it has arisen. The President (Dinka tribe) continues to consolidate power, with the removal of politicians loyal to the deposed vice-president (Nuer tribe), most recently the parliamentary speaker. Humanitarian agencies plead for funds, protection and prosecution of offenders, as they claim millions may not survive. www.africanews.com/2026/04/03/south-sudan-aid-agencies-warn-of-possible-war-crimes-amid-deepening-humanitarian-crisis/ On Palm Sunday thousands of Christians marched for peace in Juba, and elsewhere, asking Jesus to intervene in South Sudan, since all other recourse has failed www.africanews.com/2026/04/04/south-sudanese-christians-hold-good-friday-march-for-peace/ Despite all this, we would like to take a team to Juba, and welcome seeing how your gifting could meet needs in the Juba area.
Grace Theological College (GTC)
GTC currently has 72 students in various programs, and hopes to start a branch at Torit, where 15 students are ready. Enrollment dropped 72% since December, as money is very tight in Juba. Some can’t pay for cheap transportation to school, and families struggle to live. The IMF’s 2025 inflation rate for S. Sudan was 97%, but is projected to be 16% in 2026.
Donors continue to build GTC’s campus, which is now ready for second story columns and roof. A perimeter wall—necessary to protect the tower, wiring, transmission equipment and solar generator—nears completion, helping our watchman, who stays on campus.
 Redeemer FM 104.2
 The new studio building is ready for soundproofing, and for furniture from the original studio.
We must be broadcasting in May or June. Component shipments of the 197’ radio tower, fabricated in Nairobi, are now held up there due to paperwork, requiring an expediter. We need God’s protection upon these shipments, enough diesel fuel, and quick clearance through customs at border crossings, and at Juba. There should be no customs tax, due to charitable use.
We recently wired $29,230 to pay for 2,000-watt transmission equipment and installation, and a 10 Kw solar generator. We wired $52,391 in February for the tower, and $3,765 for soundproofing. So far in 2026 donors have invested $177,365 in S. Sudan ministry.
Agape Mission
Agape Mission is our operational interface with Juba. It’s difficult to send money to Juba, but we have established bank connections. Agape carefully distributes funds, as designated. Several major donors, including Lookout Mountain Presbyterian Ch. have financed Agape Christian Nursery and Primary School. Most recently 3 new classrooms near completion, but are used. One hundred seven nursery children, with 6 staff, and 161 primary school students, with 10 teachers, attend. Agape Community Church, pastored by Michael Ojok, meets on campus, averaging 20-25 in regular attendance. The school grows quickly, although not all can pay. The long-range goal is to sustain the mercy ministry outreach of the mission, while providing a quality Christian education. Lookout Mtn. Presbyterian and a Maclellan Foundation fund are major contributors.
Gorom Refugee Settlement (Juba area)
On April 11, Agape Mission distributed food to about 735 of the most needy residents, at a cost of $4,100. This camp has over 20,000 refugees from S. Sudan and nearby nations, and is our first attempt at ministry there, in cooperation with church and other local leadership. The camp has an LGBTQ element, which I’ve not heard about in other camps. Michael Ojok wrote, “It was not easy to pass different checkpoints until one of the soldiers boarded with the Agape Team…to see the distribution. Everyone is hungry and need food assistance.” Jeff George and Covenant Church (PCA) of Nitro, WV contributed $1,650 toward Gorom food help. We will plan for a second distribution.
Westside Inner-City Ministry
 ($4932 so far in 2026)
Signal Mountain Bible Church (SMBC) has supported RMNI since the early 1990s. Trey, son of Associate Pastor Damon, and wife Lea, loves kids and his uber-enthusiasm has led to unusual personal involvement of SMBC. Many are scared of working at the Westside. Three SMBC ladies, Lea, Stacey and Anna, have been children’s ministry directors in various churches. They trained a team of 12 over a period of 9 months to serve in Greece last summer. Elements of that training now benefit Westside kids, including sports, art and crafts. SMBC members serve with love and obvious excellence.
 John Disterdick (left), who served in the 82nd Airborne Division, isn’t afraid of “jumping in” where others fear to go. Recently he met a woman at the Westside who needed to have all her teeth removed, and replaced with dentures. She couldn’t sleep at night with the pain of abscesses. He raised $820, the dentist donated over $4,000 in professional services, and RMNI covered the balance of the $1380 cost. Check his https://RedefiningAging.us website.
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