I (John) was born in Sudan, present-day South Sudan. I was raised in a non-Christian family; my parents were African Traditional believers. I was forced to flee from Sudan, with the Arab forces abducting children to fight as soldiers in their religious war. I went to a refugee camp in Ethiopia because there was war in my country. As a lost boy and child soldier, I credit my uncle who led me to the Christian faith. In turn, I led all my parents to Christ, and then many others.

In the midst of much suffering and hopelessness, the Church of the Nazarene shared the gospel with me and others from Sudan in refugees camp. I heard for the first time the message of Holiness and the hope that we have in Jesus Christ. In 1996 I gave my life to the Lord and asked Him to sanctify me.

I wanted to experience the joy of living a transformed and victorious life even though my country was in turmoil. God did it. He changed my life. He gave me peace. He also gave me a burden for my people in Sudan. I desperately wanted everyone to hear that there is hope in Jesus Christ. I wanted them to hear the message of Holiness. I started to share the gospel with the Sudanese at the refugee camp.

In March 2003, I left Ethiopia to go to Sudan to preach the message of heart holiness to my people. It took seven days of walking through war-torn areas to reach my home in Sudan.

When I arrived in what is now South Sudan, I began to teach and preach. Within a month, people started joining the Church of the Nazarene. Today the Church of the Nazarene in South Sudan continues to grow. We have many churches and many Nazarenes in this country. It all started because I was allowed to hear and respond to the biblical message of Holiness.

I have over 20 years of pastoral experience in church planting and developing new leaders, with 13 years served as a Superintendent. I was a missionary Coordinator from 2008 to 2014, for South Sudan/Sudan and served in the Western part of Ethiopia (Gambella), with special heart for serving the refugees in the Horn of Africa. I am also a member of SDMI since 2008, representing the Horn of Africa. Together with my wife, we have helped to plant the church in Uganda, Kenya, and South Sudan mostly among the refugees. Due to conflict in South Sudan, we live in Uganda.

We have a great passion for pioneering new works as well as continued with existing work. Our vision is to develop leaders who will be ready to train and start new churches in their home countries. The call to Holiness is relational and can bring peace and hope among those who find Christ. Our goal is to be making Christ-like disciples who will go and make more Christ-like disciples. We are living testimonies of what God is doing through refugees across the East and Horn of Africa; this is where discipleship is practically seen.

We are thankful for many things –

• The Church of the Nazarene reaching the people of South Sudan, and for reaching me.
• The Church of the Nazarene in Africa. It is a church with a passion for seeing lives transformed, causing others to see God's power and love in us, which calls them to be saved and sanctified.
• Lastly, for your continued prayer for refugee ministries around the globe.

John holds a Bachelor of Theology, Africa Nazarene University, 2009, Diploma of Theology, Creative Leadership Institute, Addis Ababa, 2004, and Master of Arts Degrees at Africa Nazarene University 2015 and is currently pursuing a Ph. D at Africa Nazarene University.

Nyamal was also born in Sudan, present-day South Sudan, raised up in a Christian family where here parents were both Christian from a Presbyterian background. She and John met in 1990 and were traditional on 20 May 1995. Nyamal faithful worked as a caretaker of their kids and beside John in prayer, supporting and working with women ministry. She is also working with vulnerable groups, such as orphans and widows. She is supportive of helping women ministry.

John and Nyamal have five children, four boys and one girl, who still live with them at home. Dunga, Hannah, Gach, Kenin and Ran. All of their children are actively involved in ministry.

John and Naymal Yual, have great passion in church planting, discipleship, leadership development and ministering to refugees anywhere God is calling them.