Sudan minister to visit Erskine

DUE WEST, SC – September 29, 2010 –  The Rev. Orozu Lokine Daky, a minister in the Presbyterian Church of Sudan (PCOS), will speak at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 29, at Erskine Theological Seminary in Bowie Chapel. He is also scheduled to speak Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Greenwood.

A native of Southern Sudan, Daky, generally known as “Rev. Orozu,” is the regional coordinator of the Serving and Learning Together (SALT) Development Agency. He provides leadership in building peace among tribal groups and coordinates peacemaking and tribal relations for the church in his region.

He comes to Trinity Presbytery in South Carolina as part of the International Peacemakers program sponsored by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

“International Peacemakers are leaders who are engaged in peacemaking in their own areas of the world,” Don Goforth said in a release announcing the minister’s visit. “They are here to help us understand the peace and justice concerns of others around the world.”  

“During the war in Sudan, pastors were always the target in the Islamic government,” Orozu recalls. “In 1992, I was arrested and almost killed by government security agents in Khartoum. I was detained for 70 days. Most of those who were detained together with me were killed. It was through prayers of many believers all over the world that I am still alive today.”

Goforth said Orozu would speak not only about his own experiences, but also about the upcoming referendum to decide whether southern Sudan should secede to form a new nation.

 Dr. Steve Lowe, Professor of Christian Education and Dean of the Virtual Campus, said plans are in the works to train Sudanese pastors using Erskine Seminary’s online courses.

“We are greatly anticipating Rev. Orozu’s visit, including his address in chapel as well as a meeting with ETS staff and PCUSA denominational officials,” Lowe said. “In the meeting we plan to map out our ongoing strategy, including the details of the curriculum we will use to train 30 Sudanese pastors.”

 “We are grateful to be a part of this unique way to equip national pastors through our Erskine Virtual Campus (EVC) online courses,” he said.

“Brian Smith, EVC director of instructional technology, has worked diligently to prepare the instructional delivery system that the pastors will use to access our online courses. We live in an exciting time when technology allows us to extend our reach beyond the campus and classroom in ways unimaginable a few years ago.”