August 9, 2012

As many of you know, since 2008 Holston Conference has had a covenant partnership with the East Africa Annual Conference, which includes the South Sudan District, the only area of the EAAC that receives missional support from Holston.

Yesterday, we learned that the General Board of Global Ministries has suspended funding to the EEAC based on a recommendation by an independent audit committee.

I regret what has happened and pray for the well-being of all related ministries. However, I want to reassure the people of Holston Conference that money given to support the ministries of South Sudan has been protected through the way we manage those gifts. The monies are routed through the General Board of Global Ministries, directly to  the district superintendent appointed in South Sudan. Previously, of course, that was the Rev. Boo Hankins; now, it’s the Rev. Fred Dearing. The funds are disbursed by the district superintendent for ministry and have been accounted for and spent properly. We organized our system this way so that gifts would be made available to the district superintendent as quickly as possible, through our own account.

I am so grateful to the people of Holston for their continued generosity, and thank you for your ongoing concern and prayers. The work we’re doing in South Sudan is not subject to the concerns of the General Board of Global Ministries.

Bishop James E. Swanson, Sr.
Resident Bishop