Hardenbrooks to serve in Nigeria before going to Sudan.

Jim and Pam Hardenbrook, members of the lead team for the Church of the Brethren’s Sudan mission initiative, will spend a semester teaching at Kulp Bible College in Nigeria before going to southern Sudan later this year. They will go in February, pending their receiving visas for entry into Nigeria.

Kulp Bible College is a ministry of Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN--the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria). "We are delighted that the Hardenbrooks can offer their gifts in this interim teaching role while the Sudan team continues to form," said Mervin Keeney, executive director of Global Mission Partnerships for the Church of the Brethren General Board. "This interim placement will be productive for both mission efforts. The understandings they will gain working with the Nigerian church will be tremendously valuable when they move into Sudan."

Keeney also clarified that Nigeria mission funds will support the Hardenbrooks while they are in Nigeria, not money they have been raising for the Sudan work.

A search continues for personnel to complete the Sudan team, which became incomplete when Matt and Kristy Messick withdrew. "The team model has been central for achieving the dual outcomes of church planting and community development that is the vision for the Sudan initiative," said director Brad Bohrer.

Source: 1/30/2008 Newsline