NOTE:  This email was written by Rick Wood to several individuals listed below regarding a pastor training assessment meeting to be held on March 15th in Bor, South Sudan. It is the first time that this has been attempted here and we ask your prayers over this gathering. 

The response is from Emmanuel Chemengich, the Principal of Africa Theological Seminary for ICM (pastor training).


From: Wood, Rick
Sent:  March 5, 2010
To: Emmanuel Chemengich; rev.thomas kur

Subject: Historic Meeting
Dear Brothers-in-Christ,
It is with great pleasure and God’s divine timing that a pastor training assessment meeting will soon take place in Bor Town between the Bishop of Bor Nathaniel Garang, Rev Thomas Kur (Dean of Bor Cathedral) and Emmanuel Chemengich, Principal of Africa Theological Seminary for ICM.  Emmanuel is also secretary for the Anglican denomination in Kenya (I believe), so there is much in common between you.
The purpose of this God-ordained gathering is to assess the pastor-training needs of the Jalle/Bor area. This includes those who are currently pastors and need additional teaching to better shepherd their flocks, but also those who desire to be trained to spread the gospel to Dinka and non-Dinka areas.  As Thomas once shared with me, the only way for peace to exist in Sudan is through the spreading of the gospel of Jesus Christ to all people. Yet, the gospel cannot be spread effectively without knowledgeable pastors and teachers.
The main questions for this group to answer are:·         Is there a desire and commitment from the Anglican Church of Sudan to create such a training program in this area?·         If yes to the above, what is the most effective way to make the Jalle area a center for spiritual training and evangelistic outreach for Jonglie State and beyond? ·         What resources will be required to make this a reality?
Emmanuel will then summarize your discussions and prepare an assessment for Grace Chapel and ICM to review and determine whether there is a way to go forward with the findings.
The reason we view Jalle as a good location for this ministry is its central location to all of Jonglei State and the ability to utilize the buildings that have been built there recently by Grace Chapel Church in partnership with the Jalle Community Center Association.
I’m sure that there are many other questions and issues to discuss than those above but I am trying to build a framework from which to begin these talks. I think that I am correct in saying that whatever assessment comes out of this meeting, it is important that any program be operated by Sudanese for the benefit of all Sudanese.
I apologize for not being able to join you all in Bor for this God-inspired meeting. However, we will be praying for His will to be done and that amazing things will result from these discussions.
Blessing,Rick
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RESPONSE:
From: Emmanuel Chemengich --THE PRINCIPAL OF AFRICA THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY for ICM

Subject:  Historic Meeting
To my beloved brothers Rick and Thomas:
Greetings to you and thanks Rick for summing up quite well the primary objective of next week’s mission down to pastor-training assessment needs for Jalle/Bor region. I agree that the questions you outlined forms the core foundational framework to clarify and shape the rest of the assessment mission. I equally agree, as does as ICM organization, that indigenous leadership of local Sudanese churches and individual leaders is vital and the best way to proceed in identifying, developing, and implementing whatever God lays out in our hearts for His training work in Jalle/Bor region. In all, may this Pastors’ Training Assessment Mission meet with God’s approval and enjoy His gracious favor.
I will miss meeting you Rick, but I do know that you and the Grace Chapel partners will be standing with us and this mission in fervent prayers and providing logistical support and guidance as you have done in the past weeks.
Christ’s Peace and renewal to you during this meditative season of Lent,
Your Brother in the Lord,Emmanuel