I am the good shepherd

Dear Friends,

Our Lord Jesus Christ said, "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep. A hired hand will run when he sees a wolf coming. He will abandon the sheep because they don't belong to him, and he isn't their shepherd. And so the wolf attacks them and scatters the flock. The hired hand runs away because he's working only for the money and doesn't really care about the sheep." (John 10:11-13)

I want to introduce you to Bishop Abraham, one of God's faithful shepherds who will be ministering at Christ the Redeemer this coming Sunday! In case you are not familiar with his inspiring story, here's some background.

As a 9-year old child, Abraham found himself orphaned as a civil war in his homeland of Sudan ravaged his entire village because they refused to embrace Islam. Over 2.5 million people were killed during the Sudanese conflict, including Abraham's mother, brother, and sisters. Abraham was able to escape along with 35,000 other lost boys to Ethiopia, where he lived in a refugee camp. 

Abraham says that he became a "lost boy no more" when he became a follower of Jesus Christ. God miraculously opened a door for Abraham to come to the United States, where he received his theological training, at the Trinity School of Ministry, in Ambridge, PA. Following his graduation, he was ordained as a Deacon, Priest, and later consecrated as a Bishop.

He then chose to return to South Sudan to oversee his diocese of Anglican churches, which includes around 200,000 souls. Today he is still referred to as the spiritual leader of the Lost Boys for his commitment, work, and outstanding achievements for the southern Sudanese, especially during the decades-long civil war. His story can be seen in the movie the Big Lie, starring Reese Witherspoon. 

I hope that you will come and worship our Good Shepherd with your friends and neighbors at CTR this Sunday! Bishop Abraham and I will look forward to welcoming you! He will also be joining us for our St. Valentine Day Friday Night Pizza, Praise and Prayer! Please invite your family and friends to join us for a great evening of fellowship and worship!!!

Your servant in Christ,

The Rev. Dean F. Schultz - Christ the Redeemer Church in Springfield, VA