The Episcopal Church of South Sudan (ECSS) Diocese of Wanyjok has appointed the first female evangelist to lead the Makuei Wet Tong area under the Makol High Deaconry in Aweil East County, Northern Bahr el Ghazal State.
22-year-old Rebecca Abuk Mareech was appointed late last month based on her contribution to the church’s growth.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj Monday, the ECSS Bishop in the Diocese of Wanyjok, Joseph Mamer Manot, said the female evangelist was commissioned to support the growing numbers of women and girls in the area.
“She is the first dedicated female evangelist in my diocese. I have realized that the biggest number in our churches are women and they are playing a great role in terms of supporting the church’s development,” Bishop Mamer said. “They are supporting the spiritual aspect and the ministry's growth. Those are some things that women are doing more in our churches compared to men. So, it was one of the reasons that motivated us in her, especially for me as Bishop.”
He added, “And another thing is that she has devoted her life to Christ and she proved to be a leader that we are looking for to serve the Lord and that was the reason I commissioned her.’’
The clergyman said Evangelist Abuk is free to marry when she wants and will continue to serve the church even after as a married woman.
Pastor David Deng, whom Evangelist Abuk reports to, said she deserved the new assignment because she has been serving as a youth leader at Makol High Deaconry.
“Abuk, even before we appointed her to be evangelist, she was one of the active youth. She was the head of youth ministry in the church which she was growing in Makol High Deaconry, that was three years back,’’ Pastor Deng said.
For her part, Rebecca Abuk Mareech appreciated God for choosing her youth to serve.
“I am very happy because I am still young but it is my God who gave me this position and I am very happy for the bishop for assigning me,” Abuk said. “My request to the youth is this, you are still all young and I need you to focus on the word of God. Do not work for the pleasures of your bodies because you will not prosper but you will find success if you work for the church.’’