Covenant News

Sudanese Minister Takes Oath as U.S. Citizen

ST. PAUL, MN (March 13, 2001) - Paul Chuol, a licensed minister for the Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC), became a United States citizen during a recent ceremony at Bethel College in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Chuol (see accompanying photo), who is originally from Sudan, was one of 733 participants who took the oath to be a citizen in a ceremony in Bethel's chapel. He has been in the United States for several years and is currently living in Owatonna, 65 miles from the Twin Cities in southeast Minnesota, according to Christ Community Covenant Church pastor Brent Carlson.

Several others from the Sudan currently attend Christ Community. Carlson said Chuol hopes to return to the Sudan to serve in some area of ministry. Four other Sudanese families are relocating to the area, having previously attended a Covenant church in Fridley. The church has helped the Sudanese newcomers to find housing, easing their transition into the community. Carlson says the influx of Sudanese has energized the 31-year-old congregation that currently includes some 70 parishioners.

"The people of Christ Community Covenant Church have enthusiastically welcomed the newcomers to town and to the church," he said. "It is exciting to see how God has brought these two cultures together to join in ministry, to glorify God and reach out into the community with the gospel of God's love in Jesus Christ."

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