Healing of Nations
East Africa
Our Story
In 1997, a young immigrant from East Africa visited our church, Calvary Church in Roseville, MN, which led to the start of a multilingual church. With support from volunteers, we helped new immigrants from South Sudan, Ethiopia’s Gambella region, and East African refugee camps adjust to life in the U.S.
As the church flourished and new congregations formed, we learned about the deep trauma and challenges facing their families back home from decades of displacement, conflict, and life in refugee camps. Some of these communities have endured over 50 years of trauma, violence, and loss, including genocide in Ethiopia and years of human rights abuses.
Intertribal conflict, poverty, and competition over resources have led to massive displacement, with many ending up in refugee camps where populations can reach nearly 300,000 people.
Our Impact
Mission Statement: To expand the Kingdom of God through equipping, empowering, and supporting His work among the people of eastern Africa, both in the US and in Africa.
We believe the church, ministries, and local leaders can play a unique, God-centered role in fostering lasting peace and reconciliation. Through partnerships with local organizations, we pursue collaborative efforts grounded in a shared vision and biblical foundation.
Our core areas of ministry include:
- Gospel Outreach
- Reconciliation and Healing
- Crisis Response
Healing of Nations Leadership Team:
Jill Anderson, Director
Rev. Dr. Monica Yugu
Rev. Joseph Cham
Launching God-led Transformation
Gospel Outreach Services
- Audio Bibles – in partnership with Talking Bibles, audio Bibles in local languages are available for groups up to 50 people, which is significant given the 64 languages spoken in South Sudan, 88 in Ethiopia and high rates of illiteracy
- Bible Resources – materials for all ages
- Training for church leadership – sponsoring theological education scholarships
- Church support – personal support for ministry leaders and ministry expenses
- Evangelism and Discipleship Resources – provide training in Discovery Bible Study and Disciple Making Movement, leading to listening groups and eventually the formation of churches
- Bible study groups in churches, neighborhoods, schools, sports groups and other interest groups
- Christ-centered sports activities and youth outreach
- Church resources within refugee camps – examples: chairs for seating rather than rocks and metal sheets to cover church buildings or latrines
Reconciliation and Healing
- Trauma and Reconciliation Retreats – in partnership with The Pilgrim Center for Reconciliation
- Retreats are held in both the U.S. and East Africa, focusing on Gambella in Ethiopia, South Sudan, Kenya, Uganda, and surrounding refugee camps.
- Training of facilitators to bring healing, forgiveness, reconciliation and new freedom to find their identity as “Ambassadors of Christ”
- Support peace efforts among the youth, training leaders in biblical principles to build healthy relationships
Crisis Response
- Raise awareness of humanitarian crises associated with hunger, poverty, floods, conflict, and disease
- Address hunger through economic and agricultural development training
With your support, hurting communities are empowered to find healing and reconciliation through the love of God.
Story of Reconciliation: Crisis Strikes Kenyan Refugee Camp
A deadly conflict broke out in the Kalobeyei refugee camp after two Anuak youth were stabbed by Nuer youth during World Refugee Day. In the days that followed, machete attacks escalated, leaving at least two Anuak dead and over 22 wounded. Retaliatory violence ensued, including a reported massacre by another group that took 50 Nuer lives. Amid the chaos, over 3,000 Anuak fled to Nairobi, seeking refuge at the Anuak Church in Ruiru.
Thanks to a recent mentoring retreat, the church was spiritually prepared to offer compassion and comfort. After three weeks, the refugees were forced to return to Kalobeyei, only to find their homes looted with roofs dismantled, latrines stripped, water tanks stolen, and no household items left behind.
Moved by the need, Calvary Church in MN donated $4,000 for emergency relief. Rather than food, the funds were used to buy 550 families sets of cooking pots and utensils, necessary tools for daily survival. The pots were transported 14 hours from Nairobi to the camp.
Before distribution, church and camp leaders met to plan. The Anuak community chose to set aside 50 sets for Nuer families as a token of peace towards those who were seen by many to be "the enemy". While some, especially the youth, resisted the idea, the gesture led to new dialogue between the two tribes and initiated plans for broader reconciliation efforts involving the UN Refugee Agency, security, NGOs, and other ethnic groups.
Anuak women were happy to receive the cooking pots and thanked the Lord for their gift. The Nuer women received the cooking pots with deep gratitude for the unexpected kindness, saying they thought they had nobody to help them. It built a new found trust between the two groups.
As the groups meet concerning the cooking pots, two pastors brought up the idea of holding reconciliation retreats, one for youth and one for leaders. Following the retreats, community leaders from both sides report they are working together, and individuals are feeling positive about peace and unity.
For the latest news and stories...
Thanks for signing up for our newsletter! You've been added to our mailing list.
- Healing of Nations team
