Church Development in Egypt: Sudanese Refugee Update
“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it” (Hebrews 13:2)
It is estimated that around 1 million Sudanese refugees live in Egypt. It’s not necessarily new; refugees have been coming from Sudan for decades because of the country’s civil war. Sudan eventually split into two countries, Sudan and South Sudan, but waves of refugees didn’t slow as hostilities continued. Today, ongoing violence continues to drive refugees into Egypt.
Many arrive in Egypt carrying little more than what they could take with them as they fled their homeland. They leave homes, livelihoods, communities, and even loved ones behind. But reaching safety does not mean the journey is over. In Egypt, they begin again as displaced people – navigating an unfamiliar country, rebuilding their lives, and finding their place in a land that is not their own.
In response, and extending its ministry beyond new church development, the Pastoral, Outreach, and Mission Council (POMC) of the Synod of the Nile has placed a special ministry focus on the growing number of Sudanese refugees living in Egypt.
Currently, POMC supports 14 Sudanese congregations throughout Egypt, with many in Cairo and Alexandria. They care for the Sudanese pastors through salary, rent, and medical insurance. POMC also helps with the documentation needed for visas so that their pastors can legally stay in Egypt. As members of the Synod of the Nile, the Sudanese pastors also receive encouragement and support for their ministries.
Most Sudanese churches rent space from another Presbyterian church, the cost of which can be subsidized by POMC. These often small spaces are filled for worship each week, but with limited other options, they make it work each week.
The congregations are vital centers of spiritual support, cultural identity, and community resilience for Sudanese refugees navigating the realities of displacement. Since many families arrive with limited resources and face ongoing challenges of securing housing, food, healthcare, and employment, the churches have become a practical support hub, offering refuge, dignity, and continuity of community life.
POMC also created schools for Sudanese refugee children who don’t have access to formal education. Without intervention, these children face losing years of education during a critical stage of development.
One such school serves around 100 children at the primary level. It employs qualified teachers from Sudan who understand the students’ language, culture, and educational background. They promote academic success while helping children maintain a sense of identity and belonging during a period of profound upheaval.
The school also offers summer activities, sports programs, and an annual summer conference to encourage fellowship, personal growth, and recreation. Moreover, recognizing the emotional impact of war and displacement, the school provides spiritual care and character-building support, helping students heal, grow in faith, and develop resilience for the future.
For many Sudanese refugees, the hope of returning home remains strong, which makes this ministry especially important. Sudanese churches and schools provide more than worship and education; they create places where children and families can remain connected to their language, culture, traditions, and faith. These communities help preserve a sense of identity and belonging while families wait and hope for the day they can return home.
Until that day, for this season of war and displacement, the Egyptian church will continue to support these guests to the best of their ability.
The Impact
POMC’s ministry among Sudanese refugees is far more than a response to immediate need; it is the church embodying the love of Christ in a time of profound uncertainty. By walking alongside Sudanese families, supporting pastors, nurturing children, and strengthening communities of faith, the Presbyterian church in Egypt is investing in the future of a people – and ultimately in the future of Sudan. What is being planted today can bear fruit for generations to come.
Your prayers and financial support make this ministry possible, fueling the expansion of God’s kingdom and the church’s ability to love, serve, and grow relationships with people who may one day carry that same hope back to their homeland.
THE OPPORTUNITY
The Outreach Foundation is seeking gifts to support the mission and ministry of the Pastoral, Outreach, and Mission Council. All gifts of any size are welcome to help support their efforts to minister to refugees, as well as to plant and revitalize Presbyterian churches throughout Egypt.
You may make a gift by sending a check to the address below with the partner name New Church Development in Egypt in the memo or you can donate on our website: www.theoutreachfoundation.org.
