Sudan is officially splitting into two countries tomorrow (9 July), with South Sudan become the world's newest nation. Southerners, many of whom are Christians, are rejoicing at getting their own country, which they pray will bring peace to a region torn apart by war for decades. But both countries face immense challenges.

The Bible Society in Sudan, which is based in the north’s capital, Khartoum, has already moved its stock of Bibles in southern ethnic languages to the new nation’s capital, Juba. The Society’s Translation Officer has also moved to Juba.

Emotional and practical toll

John Poole, UBS Financial Services Manager, recently visited Sudan and witnessed the emotional and practical toll these events are taking on the churches in and around Khartoum.

"I attended a Sunday service at All Saints Cathedral in Khartoum," he says. "At the end of the celebration, people leaving for the south that week were invited forward for prayer and blessing. Twenty-one people came forward out of the congregation of 300. This is happening at every service."

"The cathedral itself is also losing many of its staff. Five out of eight clergy members are leaving, as are half of its 29 lay readers."

Hard to say goodbye

"It is so hard for people to say goodbye," Bishop Ezekiel, a Bible Society in Sudan board member, told Mr Poole. "It is painful to see the church family splitting up - it's like a bereavement. Some really active church members have left. Pastors going south are given transfer letters to their new dioces but nobody knows how many will be appointed to churches in the south."