How one church is bringing peace, compassion, and new life to a war-torn region
A Building That Tells a Story
In the heart of Malakal, where five major tribes live side by side and the wounds of war still linger, a church has risen. Not just any church. This is the first building constructed in the region since 1950. It stands as a symbol of hope, a testimony that peace is beginning to return, and a place where God is writing a new story.
A Town in Transition
Malakal has endured its share of suffering. Located in Upper Nile State, this town has faced years of unrest and displacement. In recent months, it has become a center for refugees fleeing the devastation in neighboring Sudan, one of the worst humanitarian crises in recent history. Many arrive with nothing—no food, no belongings, no place to call home.
But in the middle of this crisis stands the Malakal Flagship Church, and its doors are open.
Compassion That Converts
Inside, something remarkable is happening. Muslim refugees are coming to Christ.
They are not coming because of a special event or persuasive sermon. They are coming because of compassion.
The church is offering more than a message. It is offering dignity. Refugees are received with kindness. They are served from what little the community has. They are not just tolerated. They are welcomed.
And that changes everything.
“The spiritual environment here has always been open,” the pastors shared. “But the Flagship Church has brought transformation, especially among those who once stayed far away.”
Growth in the Midst of Need
Already, three new churches have been planted through the influence of this one flagship. Monthly outreach fellowships, a local Bible school (DTI), and a growing women’s ministry are drawing hearts toward Jesus in a region once defined by division.
Malakal is a diverse town. People from the Nuer, Dinka, Shilluk, Maban, and Coma tribes call it home. Most residents rely on small businesses, tea selling, fishing, or farming to provide for their families. But daily life is still fragile. Food shortages and memories of violence affect many. Even so, God is moving.
“The church has provided spiritual growth and humanitarian help,” the pastors said. “Especially to vulnerable groups, including our Muslim brothers and sisters who have fled from Sudan.”
A Vision for the Future
The vision for Malakal is clear: plant more churches, reach the unreached, and make Christ known.
The pastors humbly ask for your prayers, especially for the unreached in Akok and Wau Shilluk, and for the many vulnerable people still living in the Protection of Civilians (PoC) site nearby(a temporary location for internally displaced persons due to armed conflict in a region).
Light in the Darkness
Malakal’s story reminds us that in the darkest places, God’s light shines the brightest.
And sometimes, it begins with the first brick laid in decades and a door that remains open in Jesus’ name.