God’s call to Sudan overshadowed the lure to run in the Beijing Olympics for young Australian, Craig Knowles.
In 2006 Craig, an Australian junior champion middle distance runner, was training and focussed on the 2008 Beijing Olympics. However, he felt God’s call to join a two-year Training in Ministry Team (TIMO) team in Southern Sudan.
Craig returned to Australia in August 2008, as the Olympics began. When asked did he have any regrets, Craig replied with a large beaming smile and said “No way!
The two-year experience has been so rewarding and beneficial, Craig cannot wait for his return to Sudan to continue ministry in early 2009. The pain and challenge of learning a new language and culture has brought reward.
Craig said the people with whom he and his multinational TIMO team lived, in the hills of South Sudan, are his friends. He has become involved with them now through ministry to youth including teaching at a girls’ school.
“I love the school I am teaching in, more than anything I have ever done.
“We are the only girl’s school in the state of Eastern Equatoria and one of the few girls’ schools in all of southern Sudan.”
“For one of the first times in history women here are getting an education and an opportunity for something greater.”
“I love showing and telling them of the love of Christ, and that He created us all equal and Has paid for us all. I don’t just teach them English or maths but I also teach how to have a Godly character.”
During his time in the Sudanese village, Craig participated in a youth retreat in nearby town, where he shared a gospel message.
“I asked ‘who has heard they are worth 20 cows?’ Hands went up all over the room.
“No, I am telling you your life is worth much more that 20 cows. You are worth the life of God himself who died for you, so you could be found”.
Craig said while he spoke these words heads bowed to the floor. Every person in the room committed their lives to Christ that day, all 120 of them.
Craig said it was his hope that this was a start to a changed life for these young people, in realisation that Jesus Christ loved them.
For more information on ministry opportunities in Africa or TIMO contact AIM Australia.
December 2010
