Authorities in Khartoum, Sudan have handed back a church building that they had padlocked four years ago and threatened to seize, Christian leaders said.
A Sudanese church leader involved in the return of the Khartoum Christian Center building, owned by the Sudan Pentecostal Church, told Morning Star News that national security officials called him and other church members and returned it to them last month. Amid a wave of church closures and expulsions of South Sudanese Christians, Sudan’s National Intelligence and Security Services had closed the church in August, 2014.
Government officials had said they closed the church building, which served as a worship venue for 20 years, because it was on land designated for office space. Though government officials stated that the closure was temporary, they gave no timeline, and church members feared the government would sell it. The government notified SPC leaders of the 500 member church that they should look for another place of worship since the space was designated for offices, an SPC leader told Morning Star News at the time.
The government gave no reason for returning the property to the church, but Christian leaders said they suspect foreign pressure played a key role. Morning Star News broke news of the church closure in early September, 2014.
On Sunday, 8th July, SPC leaders led a thanksgiving service attended by Christians from various churches in Khartoum at the site. High profile church leaders and government official attended the service, sources said.
Rev Philemon Hassan, chairman of National Baptist Church in Sudan, delivered a sermon urging the congregation to give thanks to the Lord for the return of the building. Those in attendance expressed their appreciation.
“Khartoum Christian Center (KCC) opens officially today amidst great bursts of spontaneous joy, praises and dancing to the Lord,” said one church leader after the service.
Another church leader expressed joy after learning the building had been returned.
“At last Khartoum Christian Center is returned back to the church by the authorities,” he said. “Christians are working tirelessly to wash the hall and clean up piles and piles of garbage inside the building. Glory to God for answering the prayers of God’s people who prevailed in prayers.”
Official had also confiscated a vehicle when they closed the church.
“The vehicle is among our demands to be handed over to the church,” an SPC leader said.
In its campaign to rid the country of Christianity, church leaders say, Sudan has designated at least 25 church buildings for destruction.
