Feature story
A pastor of the South Sudan Evangelical Presbyterian Church (SPEC), Kon took office in December, after many years of work with non-governmental organizations, churches, and government institutions.
The 56 years old cleric assumes the leadership of the council at a time when South Sudan – the world’s youngest nation- is in urgent need of peace and reconciliation, relief and development and advocacy.
Kon’s involvement with the ecumenical grouping dates back in his youth, and churches and partners hope he can breathe new energy into the organization, given his wide experience in development, management and leadership.
“I envision a council that serves as a unifying force among diverse denominations, where collaborative dialogue and shared missions strengthen our collective witness,” says the leader in his manifesto, which proposes regular meetings, workshops and joint initiatives to build deeper relationships and understanding among the churches.
As he enters the council’s office every day, Kon draws inspiration from the resilience and unity of his community. He plans to adopt a different approach, introducing innovative initiatives and focusing on deepening collaboration.
“Ultimately, my vision is to establish the South Sudan Council of Churches as a beacon of hope and healing in our nation,” he says.
Kon was born in 1969 in Pieri Payam in the South Sudanese state of Jonglei State. He received his early education in schools in South Sudan, completing primary and high schools between 1976- 1989. After high school, he studied for a Bachelor of Theology at the Cairo Evangelical Theological Seminary in Cairo, Egypt from 1990-1994. His Master of Divinity and Master of Theology studied from 2002-2004 and from 2004-2006 separately, are from the Jordan Evangelical Theological Seminary in Amman, Jordan.
“I aim to position the council as a leading voice in advocating for the rights and dignity of marginalized communities…We will address pressing social issues, including poverty, gender equality and human rights,” says the leader.
The cleric, who says he believes in the power of grassroots engagement, hopes to give local churches and communities the tools and resources required for peacebuilding and trauma healing to make them agents of change.
“We can address historical grievances and promote a culture of forgiveness and understanding through dedicated efforts in peacebuilding and reconciliation,” says Kon,
He has served South Sudanese Evangelical Presbyterian Church in various capacities, including being a member of its executive committee, a vice –general secretary and has been member of the Sudan Council of Churches Executive Committee. He has taught in bible schools in Sudan.
Serving as the Minister of Education Science and Technology in the former Jonglei State from 2014- 2015, the pastor’s task involved implementing a comprehensive, equitable, and high-quality education system that would prepare students for future challenges.
In 2004, he founded the Greater Reach Alliance, an organization that helps local communities in South Sudan translate the bible into their local languages.
“[This] is an organization that I initially formed to train and develop leaders to unreached people groups and translate the bible to those unreached tribes,” he says.
As he works to deepen the council's connection with regional and global church bodies, Kon hopes to ensure the council meets the current needs of the Sudanese community and inspires hope among the South Sudanese generations.
