Sudan & South Sudan

On November 13, many churches around the country will read an old story that Christ once told on a Galilean hillside: Three servants received large amounts of money from their master. Two invested their stipend, doubling the return. One dug a hole and buried an opportunity to exercise his gifts.

I am talking, of course, about the Parable of the Five Talents in Matthew 25:14-30, from which our organization takes its name.

One of the key verses reads that the master gave talents to his servants "...each according to his ability." This phrase – "each according to his ability" – contains a liberating message for the poor, and also for ourselves. This Gospel reading suggests that we are made in the image of God and, therefore, all of us have value and gifts to use for ourselves, our families and our communities.

Five Talents is built on this belief. The poor have value and can be empowered to tap their own unique gifts and abilities to create a better life. When Five Talents began 11 years ago, words like sustainability, economic empowerment, and self-supporting churches were just beginning to be whispered. Now these words are being shouted from every corner of the world.

I dare say Five Talents has helped to lead that conversation as a means of growing God's Kingdom.

The Five Talents Photo Puzzle Contest is back, and now it is easier than ever to win a framed print of one of our incredible photographs!

We've written a lot about South Sudan in recent weeks -- for good reason: For decades, the nation has been wrestling with poverty and violence, but now there is a growing sense of hope that the worst is behind them.

Last month, we described the celebrations taking place on the eve of the country's formal declaration of independence from the Republic of Sudan. We wrote about the dynamic role that women are playing in battle against illiteracy, and we interviewed the bishop of the Episcopal church in the Wau Diocese about the church's role in the new South Sudan.

Now we're telling you about an incredible opportunity: Every financial gift that Five Talents receives from new donors for South Sudan will be matched!

Let's say you've got $50 that you want to put towards fighting poverty, creating jobs and transforming lives in South Sudan. A US foundation will throw in an additional $50 to match your gift.

Your generosity will be matched. Your impact will be doubled.

Our latest video addresses the past and future roles of Five Talents in the nation of South Sudan.

In 2009, Five Talents and World Concern partnered to open the country's first community bank.

Since that time, scores of savings and loan associations have formed. While benefiting current micro-entrepreneurs, these groups are also indirectly contributing to the development and education of South Sudan's youngest generation.

On July 8, the eve of South Sudan's formal declaration of independence from the Republic of Sudan, we talked with The Rt. Rev. Moses Deng Bol, bishop of the Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Wau. He said he had been awakened that morning by children dancing and singing in anticipation of the day's celebratory events. We then asked Bishop Moses, whose diocese partners with Five Talents, to discuss the church's role in the country going forward. What follows is an edited transcript of our conversation:

How has the church been active in South Sudan during the last few years?
During the [civil] war, the main role that was played by the church was to make peace between the southerners themselves. Because even though we had the bigger war between the north and the south, there were also small tribal conflicts within. The other role was to reach out to the international community and communicate the message of the war and the effect it has on the people of South Sudan.