Rick McEdward, president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Middle East and North Africa, made his first visit to the nation of Sudan. 

These days, the government of Sudan provides official registration for many church groups who are represented in the nation and the Seventh-day Adventist Church is officially registered as a church organization in the country.

McEdward met with the Minister of Guidance and Endowment, His Excellency, AbuBaker Osman Ibrahim, which has a department of Church Relations.

His Excellency welcomed this initial meeting as a sign of good relations. “As a nation we are providing freedom for Christian groups to meet,” said the Minister during the meeting.

McEdward shared his appreciation for Sudan, a predominately Muslim nation, to provide official recognition to the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

"It is a great pleasure to be able to have our church operate and have the open support of freedom from the Sudanese government," said McEdward.

McEdward also met with local Adventist congregations and encouraged them. There are about 70 Adventists in the country.

“I am very encouraged after visiting our churches in Sudan.  The believers are doing well and are happy with the government for registration,” said McEdward. “I challenged our groups to be a light to their communities by sharing God’s love.”