Since the 1980s, Richard has had connections with Sudanese churches. As government contractors, Richard’s parents worked in Sudan and attended several Sudanese churches. Richar’s connection with Sudanese church leaders came through the Program for Theological Education by Extension.
When the Republic of South Sudan was created in 2011, the Christian leaders with whom he had worked migrated to South Sudan.
In 2015 and 2016, with foundation funding, Richard led a team of researchers as they sought to discover the extent to which Christian schools in South Sudan were providing vocational, technical, and agricultural education. We found that Christians led government schools. These leaders helped us make our conclusions about vocational, technical, and agricultural education in schools.
In 2022, one of the South Sudanese leaders with whom Richard had previously worked asked him to consult with the principal of Nile Theological College in Juba, South Sudan, in the work of revising the college’s curriculum. Conversations between Richard and the Principal and other scholars began in July 2022 and continue until now.
NTC is seeking support to help pay salaries, develop a strategic plan, begin two new academic departments, and erect a wall around land destined to be a new campus.
