Origins of Nuer-Speaking Sudanese Lutheran Worship in Mankato, MN

In 2001, several Nuer-Speaking Sudanese Immigrants (primarily Peter Jiech and James Yiech later name changed to Ruey)) starting moving from Iowa, particularly DesMoines, to Mankato, MN. These immigrants had known each other in Sudanese refugee camps in Africa and had worshiped together as Christians in the refugee camps. While in Iowa, individual immigrants had been worshiping with various English-speaking congregations. Until this time, most of their affiliation had been with the Presbyterian Church. However, in time, they decided to affiliate with the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod because of shared doctrinal positions.

When these immigrants began relocating to Mankato, MN, Peter Jiech and James Yiech/Ruey approached the Pastor of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church about having space to worship regularly in our facility. Over time, the congregation of Our Savior’s started providing additional support to this group beyond opening it’s facilities; namely, providing James Ruey first with a stipend, then with Deacon designation, increases to the stipend, and help with enrollment in the Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology (EIIT) program through the LCMS seminary in St. Louis, Missouri. Enrollment in this program toward ordination required a theological mentor in retired Pastor Dennis Ahl (who is himself a member at Hosannah Lutheran Church in Mankato) along with synodical designation as a Vicar which required day-to-day supervision by a Vicarage Supervisor. Vicarage supervision has switched between the Pastor at Our Savior’s, then to the Pastor at Hosannah LCMS, and then back to Our Savior’s in January of 2006.

The long-range goal of the Nuer-speaking Lutheran Christian congregation and of the Sudanese Mission Advisory Committee and of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church is to assist the Nuer-speaking Sudanese Christian Immigrants of the Mankato area in forming an independent congregation. However, this is a long process which began with designating a Certified Deacon and then working toward having an Ordained Pastor. In the mean time, the Sudanese Mission Advisory Committee provides financial, facility, English-speaking Pastoral services (for the children) and administrative support while the immigrants themselves work to increase their numbers and take over each area. The goal of having an Ordained Nuer-speaking Pastor in James Ruey will be achieved by late in 2007 at which time we will put forth an 8-10 year plan (which is presently in development by the Advisory Committee) for decreasing and eventually eliminating support from the English-speaking LCMS Lutherans in the area.