Nile Theological College - February 2022 Update
NTC students in class in Juba
Sudan and South Sudan
Nile Theological College (NTC) provides theological and practical training to equip men and women for effective ministry in Sudan and South Sudan. Our support helps provide scholarships for students to continue to study and make an impact serving their congregations, denominations, and other organizations. Here are excerpts from NTC’s most recent newsletter, Light to the Nations:
The Impact of Covid-19 and Our Response
by NTC Principal Rev. Santino Odong Othol
As we all know, Covid-19 is one of the greatest pandemics that the world has ever experienced. Since its emergence in 2020, it has affected the whole world tremendously and South Sudan and NTC are no exception. This article will shed some light on how the pandemic impacted the lives of South Sudanese generally; how it affected the lives of NTC students, staff, and faculty particularly; and how the college responded.
When the pandemic broke out in South Sudan in March 2020, the government immediately decreed a lockdown. As a result, like many other educational institutions in the country, our classes were suspended. This would have negatively affected our academic calendar had we not innovated and devised other options.
Another impact was the skyrocketing prices of essential commodities. Because of this, some of our partners either reduced or canceled their support for NTC. Covid-19 also affected church worship services. For the first time in history, churches were closed for several weeks, and Christians either worshipped in small groups at home or online and in some cases, they did not worship at all.
The NTC administration and faculty continued to work throughout the lockdown period. During this time, we organized prayers every morning and prayed for the college and various issues. In the third week of June, when the lockdown was eased by the government, we resumed classes in two spacious churches observing social distancing and preventive measures. This option enabled us to complete the first semester.
Due to the impact of Covid, we worked hard to initiate internet service at NTC. Eventually, with the support of partners including The Outreach Foundation, we installed an internet service that enabled us to provide online classes via WhatsApp in the second semester of 2020 and improve our communications.
We thank you for your continued prayers and partnership. May God help us all to pass through these difficult times of Covid-19.
Student Testimonies
NTC has taught me how to help overcome the challenges facing the church and the congregations. It has taught me how to evangelize as a mission worker. In South Sudan, there are areas where the Gospel does not reach. Therefore it is our task to do so. We have also learned how to serve the church and how to win people to Christ. Sunday Michael Kat, NTC senior
I received a golden opportunity when I joined Nile Theological College. I raised my hand up to Almighty God and gave thanks to Him for choosing me. Nile Theological College is a good place to equip believers with an exegetical interpretation to help us better understand and share the scriptures. Rita Papiti Kur, NTC junior
Read more about Nile Theological College HERE.
THE OPPORTUNITY
The Outreach Foundation is seeking gifts to support the mission and ministry of Nile Theological College. All gifts of any size are welcomed to help provide scholarship support for students of poor families. You may make a gift HERE or by sending a check to our office.