After more than three years of disruption caused by conflict, ALARM Sudan has successfully resumed its national ministry activities with a powerful Trauma Healing Retreat that brought together church and lay leaders from across Port Sudan. Held under the theme, “From Wounds to Hope”, the retreat marked a significant milestone in equipping Christian leaders to respond to the emotional, psychological, and spiritual impact of Sudan’s ongoing conflict.
Since the outbreak of war in April 2023, millions of Sudanese have experienced displacement, loss, and uncertainty. Churches have continued serving their communities despite immense challenges, with many leaders carrying their own trauma while ministering to others. Recognizing this urgent need, ALARM Sudan organized the retreat to provide biblical trauma healing, encourage fellowship, and strengthen leaders to become instruments of hope and reconciliation within their communities.
The one-day retreat, held on 2 June 2026 at Comboni College of Science and Technology in Port Sudan, brought together 20 church and lay leaders representing ten Christian denominations. Government representatives, church leaders, and civil society organizations also participated, demonstrating growing collaboration in promoting healing, peacebuilding, and reconciliation across Sudan.
Throughout the retreat, participants engaged in biblical teaching on trauma and healing, personal testimonies, group discussions, guided prayer, and practical sessions on trauma-informed ministry. Many described the gathering as their first opportunity since the war began to openly share their experiences, receive encouragement, and begin processing the emotional wounds caused by conflict.
The retreat produced encouraging outcomes. Participants reported renewed hope, stronger relationships across denominations, and greater confidence to minister to people affected by trauma. Church leaders also committed to expanding trauma healing ministries within their congregations and communities, while ALARM Sudan reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the Church as a catalyst for healing, reconciliation, and lasting peace.
One participant, Evangelist Jebraiel Bolis Kodi of the Sudan Lutheran Church, shared that the training introduced practical and biblical approaches to helping people recover from the invisible wounds of war. Others emphasized that healing begins with forgiveness and that reconciliation starts within each individual before it can transform communities. These testimonies reflect the profound personal and ministry impact of the retreat.
Looking ahead, ALARM Sudan plans to expand trauma healing retreats to other regions, train church leaders as trauma healing facilitators, strengthen partnerships with churches and Christian organizations, and develop community-based healing initiatives for conflict-affected populations. As Sudan continues to face one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises, these efforts will help equip local leaders to restore hope, strengthen families, and foster reconciliation where it is needed most.
ALARM extends heartfelt gratitude to its donors, partners, volunteers, facilitators, and participating churches whose faithful support made this retreat possible. Together, we are helping the Church become a beacon of healing and hope, demonstrating that even in the midst of conflict, God continues to restore livesa and tranform communities.
