Nimule, a bustling town on South Sudan’s southern border with Uganda, is more than just a crossroads of trade and travel – it’s a place of deep resilience and emerging hope. Home to over 525,000 people, most of whom are from the Ma’di tribe and internally displaced communities, Nimule carries the weight of South Sudan’s long history of conflict. Yet in the midst of hardship, God is building something new.
Empower One’s flagship church in Nimule, dedicated in April of 2023, stands as a bright light in this region. Established in partnership with local leaders Inyani Martin and Loso Godfrey, the church has quickly become a center of transformation, not just spiritually, but economically and socially. In a place where daily life is marked by high food prices, unstable currency, and limited infrastructure, the Nimule church offers something many thought they had lost: hope.
A Church with a Mission
The flagship church in Nimule isn’t content to only gather people for Sunday worship. It is a sending church—one that equips and empowers leaders to reach others. Through the Disciple Training Initiative (DTI), the church has already trained 46 local church planters and leaders and launched five new churches in surrounding communities: Aswa, Magwi, Pajok, Aui, and Naylo.
These churches are bringing life to villages that have long been overlooked. Families once torn apart by war are being restored. Former addicts and thieves are finding freedom in Christ. Widows and orphans are being welcomed into loving community. People who were once hopeless are now filled with purpose and peace.
Education That Changes the Future
One of the most impactful expansions of the Nimule flagship has been the launch of Ebenezer Baptist Secondary School, a gospel-centered school that serves local students who otherwise wouldn’t have access to secondary education.
Through Ebenezer, students are not only gaining knowledge in math, science, and literacy; they’re also being discipled in the Word of God and trained to be future leaders in their churches and communities. The school is providing a safe, nurturing environment where the next generation can grow in both character and faith.
In a region where formal education is difficult to access and often unaffordable, Ebenezer Baptist stands as a remarkable example of what’s possible when the Church steps in.
Economic and Social Impact
Life in Nimule revolves around small-scale business, fishing, and farming along the Nile River. About 70% of the town’s population participates in trade and local markets, while others depend on agriculture for their livelihood. Still, challenges remain. High inflation and limited access to clean water or reliable shelter make survival difficult, especially in rural areas.
That’s why the flagship church is not only focused on spiritual growth; it’s also working toward economic sustainability and skill-building. Plans are underway to launch a skills training center in Nimule, giving pastors and leaders the tools they need to support themselves and their ministries. The vision is bold: 60 local churches across Eastern Equatoria State, and more than 300 trained leaders equipped to carry the gospel and care for their communities.
How You Can Pray
This movement of God in Nimule is growing, but it needs your prayers and support. Here’s how you can stand with our leaders on the ground:
- Pray for iron sheets to roof the newly planted churches.
- Pray for access to clean water, especially in remote villages where churches are being started.
- Pray for the launch of the skill training center, which will provide empowerment for pastors and families.
- Pray for men and women to rise up, owning this vision and multiplying the gospel across South Sudan.
What’s happening in Nimule is not just about one church. It’s about a network of leaders rising up with courage and conviction: planting churches, changing lives, and pointing their communities to Christ.