New Around the Mission
November 28, 2010
From Sudanese Lost Boy to Lay Pastor
Canon Dr. Jack Lumanog contributed to this article.
Samuel Ater de Makuach is driven by a deep and abiding faith in Jesus Christ and has a heart for both his homeland and his adopted nation. One of the “Lost Boys of Sudan,” Samuel’s remarkable journey has taken him from Pamakeer, South Sudan to the Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya to Lansing, Michigan, where he was recently installed as a lay pastor in theAM. In his new position, Samuel is working to establish a Sudanese ministry in Lansing as well as short-term ministry to Sudan.
Left to right: The Rev. Allen Kannapell (Lighthouse Network Leader), Samuel Makuach, The Rev. Canon Dr. Jack Lumanog at Samuel's installation as lay pastor.
Well over 20,000 boys between the ages of 7 and 17 were orphaned or separated from their families during the Sudanese Civil War. Displaced and with no adult support, these boys survived together in groups, enduring years of arduous wandering and unimaginable hardship until they finally arrived in international relief camps. Called “the Lost Boys” by agencies providing assistance, 3800 eventually immigrated to the US and are scattered in multiple cities. Baptized and confirmed in the Episcopal Church of the Sudan, Samuel became an evangelist while living in the refugee camp; ultimately he became the leader of a sub-church and later was appointed as leader of this Refugees Church. But Samuel had a dream of going to America.
“I asked God in prayer while I was still in a Kenyan refugee camp, that I would be able to come to America and make my home here,” Samuel says. “I also asked God to put me in a warm state with no snow, and I concluded my prayer with ‘not according to my will, but according to His will’. Deep down I understood that the Lord knows what is best for me. And I know that my life is ultimately not about me, but rather about His Kingdom and how my life can be used to change peoples’ lives around me.”
He arrived in America in 2000, but found himself not in one of the country’s warm climates but rather in Michigan during one of the coldest winters on record! Since arriving in the United States, Samuel has become an American citizen and graduated from community college. He is an active member of Christ the King Anglican Church, Lansing, and in his new role as lay pastor, he is working toward establishing a Sudanese ministry in that city and a short-term ministry to Sudan. This vision for outreach to both the local Sudanese community and his home country has been developing over the last two years in prayer and conversation with Anglican Mission leaders including the Rev. Canon Dr. Jack Lumanog (Samuel’s pastor), the Rev. Dave Kulchar (New Wine Anglican Mission, Flint Michigan) and the Rt. Rev. Doc Loomis (Samuel’s bishop).
Aware that many Sudanese located in the Lansing area have limited English language skills, Samuel has been involved in arranging and leading a church meeting conducted in their native tongue.
“As organizer for the Sudanese language church, I am involved in every aspect of its operation including organizing, leading church services and even transporting some members to and from the service as well,” Samuel explains.
His dream of providing short-term ministry in Sudan began over two years ago when he learned of his father’s death.
“The news was devastating to me, made worse by the reality that our civil war had prevented me from seeing him again once I left home as a child,” says Samuel. “It bothers me terribly that my father never accepted Christ as his Savior and had never been baptized. When I heard of his death, I decided to return to Sudan for the first time since my arrival in America to comfort my family, especially my mother, and to provide my father with a meaningful funeral.”
During his two-month stay in Sudan, Samuel led daily Bible studies, teaching catechism and Dinka Hymnal spiritual songs and prayed with his family and community every evening before sunset.
“It was a huge blessing to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with them,” notes Samuel.
Canon Lumanog considers Samuel and his ministry as a real blessing to the congregation, the community of Lansing and beyond. “It’s an honor to be Samuel’s pastor,” says Jack. “I am learning so much from him as he is learning from me. The joy of the Lord is real in Samuel, even in the face of such difficult circumstances as famine, relocation to a new country and starting over from scratch.”
Looking ahead, Samuel is hopeful as ever about what God is calling him to do next. “My prayer is ‘Use me Lord according to your will, anywhere and anytime for your Kingdom. May I falter not as your obedient servant.”
Posted By: Cynthia P. Brust
Categories: Recent News
