Friends of Sudan
About Us
Friends of Sudan exists to raise the profile of Christians in Sudan, especially those in the Africa Inland Church-Sudan (AIC-S), to assist in the training of church leaders and to channel prayer and financial support to the work of the church.
The work was set up, with the active encouragement and support of the Church Leaders in Sudan, by Rev John Brand, seen here with Rev John Kongi, Assistant Bishop of the AIC-S. John, a previous European Director of Aim International (Africa Inland Mission) continues to make regular visits to Sudan.
We are a registered Scottish charity – no. SCO38824
Trustees of Friends of Sudan
John Brand, (Chairman), was born to missionary parents in India, trained at the Bible Training Institute in Glasgow and then for the next 12 years pastored two Independent Evangelical churches, one in the inner city of London and then in Liverpool, during some of which time he also served on the UK Council of Africa Inland Mission International (Aim). In 1993 he took on the role of Aim’s Director for Scotland, becoming Director for UK and Europe in January 1999. During his 8 years in his position exercised a Bible teaching ministry throughout UK and Europe and made regular visits to Aim’s fields of service in Africa where he was involved in ministering to missionaries and Africans. One of his greatest joys is training African pastors in expository preaching and he runs an annual Preachers’ Workshop in Sudan. Married to Caroline and with two grown up sons, John is the Vice Principal of the Faith Mission Bible College in Edinburgh and frequently contributes articles on mission and Africa related issues to Christian publications and is author of the book ‘Mission Matters’ which has now been published in Romanian. In his limited spare time he enjoys reading and genealogical research - but not sport! John is a member of Harper Memorial Baptist Church in Glasgow where he is a member of the preaching team.
Craig Dyer, is the former Pastor of Harper Memorial Baptist Church in Glasgow and now Director of Training for Christianity Explored. Born into and raised in a Christian home in Lanarkshire, he studied theology at the Irish Baptist College in Belfast, where he met and married Margaret. They set up home in Bellshill, Scotland where Craig pastored the local Baptist church for almost six years, during which time their daughters Claire, Jenni and Gillian were born.
Craig is a trustee of India Rural Evangelical Fellowship (UK), a chaplain to the University of Glasgow, an advocate of Christianity Explored and Chair of CARE’s Scottish Advisory Committee. Away from work he loves travel, reading, computer simulations and relaxing with Meg and the girls. He has been known to have a rattle on the drums and collects DVD boxed sets of “the West Wing” which he hasn’t actually watched yet, but enjoys the thought of them being there if he ever needs them!
Jim O’Hara is a member of Harper Memorial Baptist Church in Glasgow. Born and raised in Edinburgh in a Christian home, married to Sandra with a grown up daughter Lynne and son Stuart. He works as a service development and business manager in a large international company. He likes to travel and claims to enjoy some D.I.Y. in his spare time.
Commendations:
Rev John Kongi, Assistant Bishop, AIC Sudan
“Our trust and confidence is in Friends of Sudan believing it to receive and channel all kinds of support entrusted by the well wishers for AIC Sudan. Besides providing spiritual services we are gear toward activities in post war Sudan, even in the smallest form, according to our capacity and limitations.
We trust Friends of Sudan because of the theoretical and practical endeavors we have experienced from your partnership with us; the church keeps on this path for God’s glory as you share our burdens with all whom you can access.
With best wishes in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”
Mrs Gill Reitsma who, as a single person, and later with her husband Doug, worked for many years in Sudan.
“It’s my belief that the Sudan Saints will be leading the heavenly Hallelujah Chorus because they have such a capacity to rejoice in the Lord whatever happens.
Missionaries are called to minister and my late husband Doug and I were privileged to serve in South Sudan in medicine and education for a combined total of thirty years but in reality we were often ministered to by the people of Sudan especially the growing number of Christian believers who have only known years of harassment and conflict in this tough country with its merciless sun. When we were no longer allowed to work there we regularly visited and were always greeted with wide smiles and the words “You have not forgotten us!” Your attention to this website will demonstrate that you are remembering them too.”