I first learned of Fr. John Daau at the New Wineskins Conference a few years ago.  After being blown away by his testimony, we struck up a friendship and our parish began supporting him and Good Shepherd Academy as mission partners in 2022 when Fr. John visited us, leading to our collection of funds for school supplies and later taking other needed items, delivered when we met up face to face again at GAFCON.

Good Shepherd Academy began in 2016 through Fr. John and the Good Shepherd Education Foundation, a private board based in Virginia. It started as a spirit-led school with about 50 1 st grade day students. The campus has grown from a few classrooms to add a grade each year, last year with 537 day students in nursery up to grade 10, focusing on orphans, refugees, and those in need. GSA teaches and requires communication only in English to bind the many tribes and languages in South Sudan. The vision is for Christian education fostering hope, unity and peace. The campus now includes a chapel for school and community worship; a guest house for Fr. John and visitors; protective fencing and entry gate; and Starlink and zoom capabilities to connect with the world.

We have been so blessed by the work we see happening at the school— especially in light of the austere circumstances of South Sudan. Besides the school, GSA includes peace and unity training for pastors and community leaders, vocational training, parent and family engagement. GSA is a beacon, a light, for the entire country.  It is a foothold of the Kingdom of God that is bearing fruit in so many ways. Even though we observe this from the other side of the world, it is encouraging to us and such a blessing to partner with our brothers and sisters who serve there.

This past week has been one of celebration of its ten-year anniversary, seeking the Lords’s guidance on future development of servant leaders. May the Lord continue to provide and protect the amazing work happening at GSA and may it continue to grow and thrive in the proclamation of the Gospel and the education of a new generation.

You can hear from Fr. John at Good Shepherd Education Foundation gs-ef.org

Chris+