Now Is the Time to Share the Gospel.
Refugees need Jesus more than food.
As part of its overall mission, Yenet partners with local churches in refugee communities to share the hope found in a relationship with Jesus. Milton sat down with Richard, a church leader & elder at Salem Evangelical Church, Pagirinya Refugee Settlement, to talk about the urgency of sharing Jesus today.
“Now Is the Time to Share the Gospel,” says Richard. In the heart of the Pagirinya Refugee Settlement, home to over 30,000 South Sudanese refugees the reality is heartbreaking. Suicide rates are rising, trauma runs deep, and death is a constant sorrow. Already burdened by the pain of loss, refugees now face even greater despair as food rations are drastically reduced, leaving many without enough to eat. In such dire circumstances, hope seems almost impossible to find.
Yet, Richard knows this is precisely when the gospel must be shared. The people of Pagirinya are desperate—not just for food, water, or healthcare—but for the unshakable hope that only Christ can bring. Their emotional and spiritual wounds cannot be healed by physical aid alone. Richard has witnessed firsthand the transformative power of the gospel in the lives of those who are suffering, and he is convinced that Jesus is the only answer to their pain.
With so many struggling in hopelessness, the urgency to share Christ has never been clearer. As physical needs continue to grow, so does the spiritual hunger for peace, love, and healing that only Jesus provides. The people of Pagirinya are searching for answers, and Richard believes that now is the time to bring them the good news of salvation.
Richard is just three months away from completing his Bible School training, preparing to enter full-time ministry among refugee communities. He asks for prayer:
For unity among churches of different denominations—that they may come together and seize this opportunity to share the gospel.
For resources to equip and support church leaders and pastors as they minister to refugees.
For more workers to step into the harvest field because, as Jesus said, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few” (Matthew 9:37).
At Yenet, we are honored to partner with local churches in refugee communities. Leaders like Richard understand the greatest need of refugees is Jesus. As Richard himself puts it, “Refugees need Jesus more than food.”
He emphasizes that the Body of Christ—local churches, pastors, and church leaders—must be mobilized, supported, and equipped to respond to this urgent need. No other institution is better positioned to bring lasting hope and transformation to these communities. May we all rise to the call and bring the hope of Christ to those who need it most.