Source: www.csw.org.uk
Date: July 18, 2026
On Easter Monday, Christians in South Morta, Sudan, awoke to devastating news: their church had been burned down overnight.
The Sudan Presbyterian Evangelical Church was the only Christian place of worship in the area. It was so badly damaged that it had to be completely rebuilt.
Yet the congregation continues to meet every week, gathering under trees on the grounds of the church while reconstructing the building brick by brick. This is a powerful reminder that the Church is more than a building.
Join us in praying for their safety and encouragement through the words of Ephesians 2:19-22:
‘Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.’
The community in South Morta has shown remarkable resilience in the face of challenges.
In 2019, the local mayor ordered them to stop all activities and take down their building after Muslim residents complained about the presence of the church.
However, they successfully argued that this was the only place of worship for Christians in the area, and the mayor reversed his decision in July 2020.
For several years, they were able to worship peacefully. Then came the arson attack of 6 April 2026, which took place amid the current conflict between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The war has led to the world’s worst displacement crisis, with more than 11 million people forced from their homes.
Civilians continue to bear the brunt of the violence, while both churches and mosques have been targeted. For many communities, these places of worship are not only centres of prayer, but also sources of refuge, support and hope.
As we pray for the church in South Morta today, please also lift up the millions of Sudanese people whose lives have been impacted by conflict, displacement and loss.
Please pray:
- That those responsible for the arson attack will be identified and held to account.
- That God will strengthen and encourage the Christian community in South Morta as they rebuild their church, and that they will be able to worship without fear or intimidation.
- That both the SAF and RSF would stop targeting civilians and places of worship immediately.
- For an end to the war — a ceasefire that brings lasting peace with justice, and a future where the rights of all religious communities are respected.
P.S. We are excited to be returning to Wildfires Festival next weekend. Alongside a live music stage, we’ll be telling stories of people like the congregation in South Morta, and encouraging people to join our Eyes on Sudan campaign.
Please pray for our team, and that many will be stirred to stand in prayer and solidarity with the people of Sudan.