It all started when a group of young Sudanese people, “The Lost Boys of Sudan” arrived in Phoenix between 2000 and 2001. These young Christians looked for somewhere to start their prayers and worshiping.

They contacted All Saints’ church leadership. As they arrived at the church, they had a huge welcome from the congregation. After the service, they met other Sudanese and their foster parents who were also members of the All Saints’.

An ordained Minister and a member of the Episcopal Church had been very active in preaching and teaching the word of God to his fellow Sudanese and was among the first Sudanese attending prayers in Dinka language. He worked closely with the Episcopal Diocese of Arizona.

The Diocese of Arizona was so excited about the Sudanese congregation and offered them a place for worship. This place became their own, where they conduct their prayers and some activities such as Sunday services, bible study, Sunday school teaching and other related social events like marriages and funerals.

This place is what is now called St. Paul the Apostle Sudanese Episcopal Church.

Read the rest of the story.

CNN Feature

In 2011, CNN spent four hours at the parish filming the service and interviewing the members for their “Inside Africa” series. Here is some “behind the scenes” footage.

Read the CNN.com article

Worship, Learn, Come Together!