Jamie and Claudia Boland

Who We Are: My wife Claudia and I previously served in Northern Sudan. Claudia spent nearly 6 years with The Leprosy Mission - most of this time was in the troubled Darfur region of west Sudan. I was in Sudan for just over 2 years and taught at Gideon Theological College and served with an indigenous church. We met and married in Khartoum in 2005. The following year we returned to Australia to start a family and for me to complete my Masters Degree in Ministry. God has since blessed us with two beautiful children – Tommaso (4) and Chiara (2).

Present Ministry: I have been on staff at Subiaco Church since 2009. During this time I have also been an adjunct lecturer at Harvest West Bible College. These ministry opportunities have facilitated my own longer-term development, particularly in my aim of returning to train and equip Sudanese pastors.

Future Plans: Following the end of civil war in Sudan in 2005, Gideon Theological College relocated to Melut in South Sudan, which is now an independent country. Our current plan is to return to this Theological College full-time in 2013. I have been asked to take over the role of Academic Dean from an Australian colleague, a position which will also require lecturing across different subjects.

Given the remote location of the Theological College, any long-term commitment would require that we make adequate provision for our family and also home school our children. This short trip (28 Jan – 20 Feb) is to access the situation and prepare for our moving there in 2013. We have been personally blessed in many ways, including generous financial contributions from many. Thank you!