PARTNERSHIP AND CAPACITY BUILDING A Visit to Northern Ireland by Rev Joseph Mamer Last year in 2013 before I left the position of Principal of St. John’s College of Theology and Development, I asked Bishop Moses if I could attend any short education training outside Africa. I wanted to do this as part of an in-service support and capacity building effort to gain institutional instruction, relevant skills, and of course to improve on teaching, leadership and management skills. My hope was that this would help me in taking St. John’s College of Theology and Development to new heights. I had very limited number of lecturers as because of insufficient funds to recruit more lecturers, despites the amount of work, thus I was forced by that situation to teach more lessons and try to cover the syllabus accordingly. Besides all that, I was the Dean of Good Shepherd Cathedral-Wau, plus other additional responsibilities that I was obligated to in the Diocese of Wau. I was really exhausted, I really wanted to take academic and educative leave outside Africa to refresh myself. The Bishop took the request seriously and when he visited the UK he shared my request with our UK based Bishop’s Commissary, Canon. Kenneth J.H.Hearn. Kenneth then requested Union Theological College in Queen’s University of Belfast City, Northern Ireland. It was by their kindness that I was invited through Canon Kenneth to get some instruction from the Union College in Belfast City with special attention to peace and conflict resolutions as I am currently involved in peace building between the two Sudans in cross-borders relations through Concordis International. I received two cordial invitations; one from Union Theological College, Queen University and another one from my sponsor Canon Kenneth J.H.Hearn who is our UK based Wau’s Bishop Commissary. Now the process began, I travelled to Nairobi, Kenya to get a visa there as it was going to be difficult for me to complete the Visa application form online. I did not have credit cards to complete it electronically; I tell you that this was one of the most difficult parts of my visit to the UK. I applied for a visa and waited excitedly but what I received from the British High Commission in Nairobi was the “refusal for Entry”, what a shock! I could not believe my eyes that I was refused entry after I exhausted all the money I had, but I still kept a little hope that I have to give it a try for a second chance. My friend Canon Kenneth and prayer partners in Poole deanery, Salisbury Diocese and Northern Ireland Churches continued praying for me and they encouraged me especially Canon. Kenneth. He paid for my application and fare fee, encouraged me to lodge another application form despite it being so expensive. This did not just finish without me learning something out of it, I could
An article from Rev Joseph Mamer who attended training in Union Theological College, part of Queens University Belfast, Northern Ireland. Joseph a past Principal of St John's Theological College is minister in the South Sudanese Diocese of Wau and employed by Concordia International as a peace actor in the Western Bahr el Ghazel area. As Such this was a chance for Joseph to build real capacity in himself and for his people.
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PARTNERSHIP AND CAPACITY BUILDING
A Visit to Northern Ireland by Rev Joseph Mamer
Last year in 2013 before I left the position of Principal of St. John’s College of
Theology and Development, I asked Bishop Moses if I could attend any short
education training outside Africa. I wanted to do this as part of an in-service
support and capacity building effort to gain institutional instruction, relevant skills,
and of course to improve on teaching, leadership and management skills. My hope
was that this would help me in taking St. John’s College of Theology and
Development to new heights. I had very limited number of lecturers as because of
insufficient funds to recruit more lecturers, despites the amount of work, thus I was
forced by that situation to teach more lessons and try to cover the syllabus
accordingly. Besides all that, I was the Dean of Good Shepherd Cathedral-Wau, plus
other additional responsibilities that I was obligated to in the Diocese of Wau. I was
really exhausted, I really wanted to take academic and educative leave outside
Africa to refresh myself. The Bishop took the request seriously and when he visited
the UK he shared my request with our UK based Bishop’s Commissary, Canon.
Kenneth J.H.Hearn. Kenneth then requested Union Theological College in Queen’s
University of Belfast City, Northern Ireland.
It was by their kindness that I was invited through Canon Kenneth to get some
instruction from the Union College in Belfast City with special attention to peace
and conflict resolutions as I am currently involved in peace building between the
two Sudans in cross-borders relations through Concordis International. I received
two cordial invitations; one from Union Theological College, Queen University and
another one from my sponsor Canon Kenneth J.H.Hearn who is our UK based Wau’s
Bishop Commissary.
Now the process began, I travelled to Nairobi, Kenya to get a visa there as it was
going to be difficult for me to complete the Visa application form online. I did not
have credit cards to complete it electronically; I tell you that this was one of the
most difficult parts of my visit to the UK. I applied for a visa and waited excitedly
but what I received from the British High Commission in Nairobi was the “refusal for
Entry”, what a shock! I could not believe my eyes that I was refused entry after I
exhausted all the money I had, but I still kept a little hope that I have to give it a
try for a second chance. My friend Canon Kenneth and prayer partners in Poole
deanery, Salisbury Diocese and Northern Ireland Churches continued praying for
me and they encouraged me especially Canon. Kenneth. He paid for my application
and fare fee, encouraged me to lodge another application form despite it being so
expensive. This did not just finish without me learning something out of it, I could
imagine if entry to the UK or any other part of the world required so many things
and difficulty for the traveler to get acceptance and entry, what about going to
heaven? Yes, Christians have been assured by Christ that salvation is by the grace
of God but we still need to respond to this freely given salvation. Here Christians
may feel frustrated and disappointed after they have confessed their Christian faith,
with the hope that one day they will enter into heaven, but are refused entry as
happened to me until they prove to be true Christians and genuine believers.
Anyway God’s grace and love is always sufficient.
To come back to my point, I was refused and I really felt bad and frustrated after I
spent all the money I had, wasted time and energy only still to be refused. I had to
provide all the required documents asked for and lodge in my application for a
second time; two members of Parliament in the UK appealed to the British High
Commission to grant me a Visa as my visit to the UK was very important to the
Diocese of Wau and our partners in the UK. Amazingly I was granted a visa to the
UK, which I was given in the morning and travel then set for a night flight.
My sincere and
profound thanks to
Canon Kenneth
J.H.Hearn who
organized with Mr
Richard Tazewell for
not only picking me
up from Heathrow
International Airport
in London but also
for providing me
with warm clothes.
I am grateful that
they took me to
Salisbury Diocese
and showed me
many places around
London before I took my next flight from Southampton airport to Belfast City.
Thanks to Jeff and his wife who also traveled all the way just to see me off from
Southampton. I also want to thank and appreciate our UK Christian friends such as
Poole Deanery and Presbyterian Church members for their prayers. When I arrived
in Belfast City Airport, I was glad to meet and be received by Canon.
Kenneth.J.H.Hearn and his wife Thelma, who were waiting for me in the airport. I
was warmly received by them as a son or grandchild and was immediately taken to
my host. I was getting a little bit tired and the weather was not at all friendly to
L-R Richard Tazewell, Joseph Mamer and Jeff on 21 Feb 2014 (Southampton Airport) I was happy and honoured to be received by my Christian friends who are members of Poole Deanery which is our partner in Christian mission.
me. Thanks to the Christians of Carrowdor, Mill isle, Presbyterians churches in
Belfast City for their prayers and financial support and for having worked hard to
ensure that I was granted a visa.
Before I took off from Southampton Airport to Belfast City in Northern Ireland, I
was taken to the Diocese of Salisbury by Richard Tazewell to see some friends there
in the Diocese.
Logos Ministries
International.
It was more than a blessing to
meet with a worldwide known
Christian church minister and
director of Logos Ministries
International, Thomas McClean.
Through his ministry Thomas
Mclean has been one of Wau
Dioceses oldest Christian
partners in faith and God’s
Mission. His missions through
Wau Diocese are numerous.
Thomas is respected and known
in the whole Diocese of Wau for
his leadership training support to
the Diocese. Sharing with him
about the rapid and considerably
spiritual, economical, and
statistical growth of the Diocese
together with the recently
established structures in the
Diocese of Wau he was
reinforced and encouraged in his vision for the support of church Mission in South
Sudan. Thomas focused especially on needy churches such as Wau and Aweil
Dioceses which are in front line of an Islamic threat and were once torn by Sudan’s
civil wars.
One of the oldest Anglican Cathedrals, St Mary’s in
Salisbury Diocese - 22/Feb 2014
Union Theological College-Queens University,
Belfast City
I wish to extend my sincere and profound appreciation to Union Theological College
Principal Rev. Dr. Stafford Carson and his fraternity for their unreserved support
before and after my arrival to Belfast. I was warmly received by Rev. Dr. Stafford
who is the Principal of Union College. I was introduced to the staff members at
Union College.
While in Belfast I was attending lessons at Union Theological College. I really
enjoyed attending Exegesis of Old Testament and the Gospel of Mark, Systematic
Theology, Irish Church History, Homiletics. I was impressed at how Dr. Carson
organized my visit to the College. Upon my arrival, I was taken to the College by
my host Tom Crome and Dr. Carson who received me very warmly, he asked me
what could be some of the areas of interest that I specifically wanted him help me
learn about in Union College. With joy and enthusiasm, I asked about biblical
studies, church history and also peace and conflict transformation, especially the
conflicts between the Irish and Britain or Unionists and Nationalists. I asked him if I
could get some lessons on peace and conflict resolution to get more insights that
may help me in my ministry and also since I’m involved in peace building in South
Sudan through Concordis International, a UK Based NGO. Amazingly, I was given a
folder full with many writing materials, getting to classes was another challenge as
there were so many different class rooms, but thanks to Dr. Carson who organized
with his students and supportive staff members who always ensured that I got to
the right class room with the right lesson for each day, especially for the first week.
After that I was able to go to class with less assistance from other students and
staff, I was also able to commute using the public train alone to & fro for the two
weeks that I was going to Union Theological College-Queen University, Northern
Ireland.
I also don’t want to forget
the Librarians who warmly
supported me especially in
the Library, thanks a lot for
the support you granted me
while at Union College,
Queen University.
Joe Campbell, peace activist, Northern Ireland, UK
Peace and conflict Resolutions
As many in the world are aware Sudan had been at war for a prolonged time
between Sudan and South Sudan. South Sudan got her independence in 2011 as a
result of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement which was signed in Nairobi Kenya in
2005. As I mentioned above that I was interested in learning more on peace and
conflict resolutions, my sponsors organized for me to have some lessons on peace
and conflict resolution with the focus on conflicts in Northern Ireland and take
relevant strategies to use in Sudan and South Sudan’s conflicts within and in the
border lands. Truly I learned many things from Joe Campbell who had been a
worldwide known peace activist. Joe Campbell told me that
“Joseph; Ethnic conflicts are ever difficult to resolve because it requires many
aspects to be included in the conflict resolutions. What had happened and is still
happening between Sudan and South Sudan had happened to us here in Northern
Ireland.”
He said, “Joseph, in Northern Ireland, we experienced one of the longest wars
between Unionists and Nationalists (Irish) which lasted for many years”.
The Irish Republican Army whose aim was to force British Army out of Ireland back
to England.
The Church was not willing to participate or even take sides, especially the
Protestant and Presbyterian churches in Northern Ireland who were not willing to
accept reconciliation. What happened eventually was that individuals who worked
for secular Organizations came up with a full force to work for peace and
reconciliation.
Joe told me that one of the tools that they used in working for peace was called
“Corrymeela” (Hell of Hope) and many peace actors fully participated in
“Corrymeela ” in worship, study and most of these participants became friends and
talked about peace when they came back home with their families, friends and
many other institutions.
Joe Campbell also shared with me and said that to achieve peace, people must
engage in peace conferences inviting influential politicians, community leaders from
warring parties/communities, encourage reconciliation and trauma training, visiting
people in prisons, running seminaries in prisons for peace with different groups.
Bringing in different peace experts to talk about peace, to share with people their
own experiences of conflict and mitigation. Peace workers need to be calm always
because there are always problems arising even if you have worked well or where
peace seems to have been achieved.
You can build confidence ( We called that “Shuttle Mediation”) when you go to one
side and talk to them and go to the other side and talk the same information until
trust and understanding is achieved by both conflicting parties.
Joe told me that when he was working for peace and reconciliation in Northern
Ireland, he could use members from the Catholic Church to talk about Peace
because he cannot go because of his religious affiliation but he could talk to his
people until they both came together and brought the two groups together in
conferences and reconciliation meetings. The church was also actively involved in
peace building as it was the best tool used for peace and stability. We could bring
together at Corrymeela at least for 2-3 days for peace conference.
But Joe said that there is an aspect of peace UN, Government, Concordis or any
other international/local body cannot do. It’s the church that gives this
“Forgiveness” which has not been reached even here in Northern Ireland. The
Church is the best tool for forgiveness and reconciliation through Love.
For South Sudan and Sudan border related conflicts - Joe shared with me his
wisdom and vast experience in peace building as he has been an active peace
actor. He encouraged conferences in the border areas (as done by Concordis
International), meetings, dialogues, bringing people together in one place (he calls
this a Pilot area) and encourage peace agents from both sides who will actively
work for peace and peace only. But remember peace accords can be broken but
never give up even when peace is violated or dishonoured. Peace will still come,
keep pushing without giving in, many people will step back not being ready for
peace but keep pushing, working for peaceput as much effort into this as going for
war.
Ben, who is another peace actor but also a student at Union Theological College,
told me that there are 4 things when working as peace actor.
1. Building a relationship, either bilateral or individual relationship especially
between warring parties so that they at least come together and dialogue
together, it takes a lot of time but work hard, trust will come slowly.
2. Bring people together after you have succeeded in getting some supporters
from both parties to help and build confidence among themselves,
paradoxical curiosity, people may be willing to talk and have dialogues.
3. Be willing to take a “Risk” in planning and preparation.
4. Creativity: To resolve problems you need to be creative, what works in
Northern Ireland for example is not what works in South Sudan. Leaders in
society make things happen especially church leaders, political leaders and
tribal leaders. Start from smaller groups and keep going, building trust and
relationships but we cannot forget Christian prayers as a vital part of
resolving conflicts and problems to build trust in both sides. Peace actors
must also trust both sides even those sides he/she does come from, you
must trust them.
I thank Union Theological College and particularly the Principal Rev. Dr. Stafford
Carson for buying for me a very expensive and nice book on peace called “The
Moral Imagination, the Art and Soul of Building Peace” I recommend peace
actors to buy this book.
I am glad that my current employer Concordis International granted me one
months leave to take up this important visit to the UK, as you may know that I
work for Concordis International, a UK based NGO implementing peace building in
South Sudan and Sudan, especially working on cross-border relations. I wish to
extend my sincere thanks and appreciation for granting me this leave which I now
realise that this visit has significantly helped me because I have interacted with
many students from Union College. I learnt many things from them, I also
interacted with lecturers who also supported me especially on peace and
theologically related issues. This visit and the short training I had at Union College
will help me in my current job as a Peace actor as well as a church minister. I have
learnt many things from Joe Campbell, I have learnt from the conflicts that
Northern Ireland and the British have had and how they achieved peace.
When I came back from Northern Ireland I was warmly received by our CEO I had a
nice time with Mr. Richard King in London, Heathrow International Airport. Richard
was pleased to meet me for the first time, we had some discussions on the
Concordis South Sudan program and its activities, it was a wonderful time.
Richard King visited me in
Northern Bahr El Ghazal in
May just to see our
program activities, my
work in the field of which
he was pleased.
Me with Richard King the CEO of Concordis International taking
coffee at Heathrow Airport.
What we hear sometimes does not always reflect the
reality of something that we hear.
I heard from many friends that the Western World is completely different from the
African ways of doing things in terms of culture, hospitality, spirituality and social
life. But to my surprise when I arrived at the Presbyterian Church on Saturday 22
and again on Sunday 23 Feb 2014, amazingly I was warmly welcomed by every
church member, overjoyed to spot me among many members I think I was the only
African Christian member in the
worship. They were prayed for
my journey as I had difficulty
in getting a Visa in Nairobi
because my visit coincided with
South Sudan’s conflict which
started on 15 December 2013
in which 10,000 people are
claimed to to have been killed.
That delayed my visa but I
thank Canon Kenneth, Richard,
the Administration of Wau
Diocese and Poole Deanery
who tirelessly stood firm by
working hard to ensure other required documents were provided so that I was
granted a visa.
I would like to thank the
Hamilton Road Presbyterian
Church for their generous
support through Canon Kenneth
J.H. Hearn who is the Bishop of
Wau’s Commissary in the UK
and special friend to the
members of Hamilton Road
Presbyterian church in Northern
Ireland. I was hosted by their
members of whom I’m grateful
and I hold in my heart with love
and respect for their love and
unreserved care granted to me
while in their homes.
Fellowship in Hamilton Road Presbyterian Church, Bangor
on 1st March 2014.
Here is a picture of one of my hosts Tim Crome and
Brenda.
I attended an evening Bible study group and some prayer meetings; my faith was
renewed and challenged by these gatherings. I also want extend my sincere thanks
and appreciation to Rev. Davis of Carrrowdor and Milliles Church and the church
members there for their continued support. I was given 15 minutes to talk in both
churches. Here below is Rev Davis and myself at Carrowdor church. We had a Holy
Communion Service, so I helped Rev. Davis in serving the Holy Communion.
Bangor Worldwide Missionary Prayer Day
I Had the privilege to be
invited to the Worldwide
Missionary Prayer day in
Northern Ireland, UK
where I was given a
chance to talk about St.
John’s College of
Theology and
Development and its
vision. I talked and
informed participants
about the current
political situation in
South Sudan.
Here is Rev Davis and myself at Carrowdor church.
L to R Mr. Tom from Worldwide Mission, Canon Kenneth and Rev. Joseph Mamer Manot at fellowship.
Tearfund UK
It was an honour and a privilege to meet Tim from Tearfund UK who expressed his
willingness to fully encourage Tearfund South Sudan to work in partnership as its
first partners. Tearfund South Sudan is implementing a WASH program in Western
and Northern Bahr El Ghazal State, therefore, the head office in Aweil, Northern
Bahr El Ghazal had pledged with churches as their primary partners.
Bishop Harold Millar (Anglican Church in Northern Ireland)
I was invited by Bishop Harold who was happy to see me in his office. I shared with
him about St. John’s College and why it is important to have it established and
supported. He is the most humble and loving Bishop I ever met. He is willing to
partner with Wau Diocese in the future. I consider it a great honour and privilege to
be invited by him in his office, may God continue blessing not only his ministry but
even those people that God has put under his care.
Open Doors UK Office
Open Doors International is a Christian organization that works in support of
persecuted Christian churches in the World. Around 1997 Open Doors began
working in South Sudan helping the persecuted Christian churches especially
churches under SPLA controlled areas but under brutal and horrible persecution
under the hands of Muslims Arabs from Sudan.
They had donated more than 200 Theological Books to St. John’s College of
Theology and Development they also donated chairs and arranged for the
transportation of their books from East Africa to Wau, South Sudan.
The Episcopal Church (Anglican) began a strong Christian partnership with Open
Doors; Open Doors brought Relief foods and non-food items to help war displaced
persons and people persecuted because of their faith. Open Doors did not only help
the persecuted churches but had a mission to help young churches and its leaders
through training on the Bible. In 1998, Open Doors established a mobile Bible
school in Aweil called the Timothy Training Institute (TTI), this was because of
distance and insecurity which made a mobile Bible school a wise choice. I was one
of luckiest to be selected to enroll in that Bible school where I was spent 3 years
and graduated with a Diploma in Christian Leadership.
I do thank the Open Doors leadership especially George William and Ariel Preller
who dedicated and committed their lives in helping persecuted churches during the
dark times. They risked their lives for the sake of their Christian brothers and
sisters under ruthless and severe persecution, I will never forget the Open Doors
contribution not only in my Christian faith but also to my education, as it gave me
strong foundation that I used as a ladder. It would have been difficult for me and
other colleagues to get basic education in South Sudan because there were no non
faith-based schools leave a lone Bible schools, but Open Doors gave us a profound
foundation which helped many of us to continue with their studies in higher learning
institutions.
I was lucky
enough to meet
with John
MeClean and
Pamela a couple
who are staff
members of
Open Doors and
I told them that
I’m a product of
Open Doors
because my first
education I got
from Open
Doors and they
were pleased
and listened to me keenly.
I was ordained without any basic theological training, but Open Doors for its three
years training I received just that. I shared with them my clear vision for St.John’s
College of Theology and Development. I tell you after sharing with them about the
needs of St.John’s such as insufficient funds, books, lack of teachers caused by lack
of funds they became interested in supporting St. Johns College.
St.Johns Students were more than happy to learn this amazing donation to
St.John’s College. The books have been ordered and purchased from Nairobi Kenya,
East Africa. It is hoped that these books will arrive in May which will add up with
1,200 books I requested from USA. Praise the Lord! St. John’s College is growing
more than expected. My sincere thanks and appreciation to Open Doors for its
continued support for needy churches and I want to assure its staff members that
their donation will be wisely used for the sole purpose of the college and they shall
receive a report once the books have arrived to the last destination which is Wau
Diocese. May God continue blessing you as you serve him, and we wish to request
you to continue with this amazing and special support especially to St. John’s
College of Theology and Development.
Pamela, Joseph and John
A Word on the College
For Those who may be interested in know what is this St.John’s College of Theology
and Development, St.Johns began in 2012 as a Bible study with only 3 participants
where these students were getting basic instructions and lessons from the Bible. In
the same year in July we made it to be a Bible school but with only 3 students and I
was appointed as the first Principal of St. John’s College. Shortly before the end of
the year we had another 3 students enrolled totaling to 6 students with limited
financial support. We only had space for learning, we had no classroom furniture,
not even a single chair, table, dormitory or library bookshelf. But through our
Christian friends and partners, we have managed to enrolled 24 students taking
Biblical students, history, Systematics, Theology and Philosophy, computer courses,
and English courses. We now have a Library, a small dormitory with capacity for 30
students, some computers and classes for first and second year students. May God
be praised for his sufficient grace on this project. If you want to support St. Johns
please contact the Diocesan Bishop or Principal of S.John whose contacts are in the