For many years, Pastor “Emmanuel” faithfully served the church in Khartoum, Sudan, as secretary of the pastors’ council.  

When the government, operating under Sharia influence, formed an organized body to bring churches under its control, Pastor Emmanuel initially thought it could provide an opportunity to represent Christ at the government level. 

“At first, I thought the initiative was to bring glory to the name of the Lord by giving us access to represent him by preaching the gospel at the government level,” he said, “but that was a plot against the body of Christ.” 

The government began pressuring pastors to sell church land, offering bribes to those who agreed. Some surrendered their properties, but Pastor Emmanuel refused. He chose to remain faithful to Christ rather than compromise. His decision brought persecution from government authorities and even from fellow pastors who had given in to the pressure. 

In 2012, a trusted friend warned him that his arrest was imminent. To protect his family, Pastor Emmanuel fled to Chad. His children were scattered for safety: four were sent to Egypt and three to Juba, South Sudan. One son remained connected to Sudan. That son is “Daniel,” now 24. 

In July 2025, Daniel returned from Chad to Khartoum to visit his wife, who was living in Wad Madani. The following day, a neighbor who recognized him as the son of the long-wanted pastor reported him to the authorities. Daniel was arrested and taken to Kobar Prison, one of Sudan’s harshest prisons, normally associated with people accused of serious crimes. 

Daniel has now spent more than a year in prison. On several occasions, the court has found him innocent, yet he has not been released. 

Emmanuel sought help from lawyer friends and discovered what he believes is behind his son’s continued detention. 

“After he was found innocent,” Pastor Emmanuel said, “I tried to engage with some of my friends who are lawyers to release him, but they found out that a Muslim who wanted the wife of Daniel to be his wife was behind the continued detention.”  

According to Pastor Emmanuel, this man has used his influence to keep Daniel in prison because he wants his wife for himself. He has also threatened Pastor Emmanuel and warned him not to pursue his son’s release. There have been attempts to have Daniel released so that he could be captured and killed outside the prison. Although he has been found innocent and all trumped-up charges declined, his life remains at serious risk.

“As it is standing right now, we are still trusting God to make a way so that he can leave the prison zone and be evacuated safely,” the pastor said. “This is one of the brutal prisons for people who have committed major crimes such as murder, but this is an act of persecution just because he is a Christian and his father is a pastor who refused to work with the Islamist government to tear down the church.” 

According to Emmanuel, the court expects Daniel to leave prison this month, but he fears that without proper arrangements for his safety, his release could put his life in even greater danger. 

“This exerts pressure on us, because failure to make arrangements for him could lead to his death,” Pastor Emmanuel said. “We ask the global body of believers to pray for us and help us to advocate for this issue, and we will be more than excited to see him free once again.” 

Today, Pastor Emmanuel remains in exile, separated from his children for their protection, while Daniel remains behind bars despite being found innocent. 

“Please pray for Daniel’s protection and release,” an International Christian Concern (ICC) staffer said, “for Pastor Emmanuel’s safety and wisdom, and for the entire family as they continue to trust God and stand firm in their faith.” 

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