Most Rev. John Machar Thon
Metropolitan Archbishop and Primate of all South Sudan
The Most Reverend John Machar Thon Khok was enthroned on 24th December 2009 as the first Archbishop and Primate of The Anglican Church of South Sudan. He also doubles as the Diocesan Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Juba and the chair of the General Synod and the House of Bishops.
Archbishop John Thon began his ministry back in 1979 where he planted a church in White Nile Region, Sudan. In 1985 he went back from Khartoum to his home village in Duk where he began the church despite the challenges on ground. His father (Thon Khok) was a well-known and respected African Religious leader (Spiritual powers) who could not bow to Christ.
However, with John he (father) was a bit liberal, he told his elders that, his son should continue his church planting "we don't know whose God is the real one" he said. With this courage, John planted two churches in Pachik and Paduoi villages, some distances away from Duk Padiet (current town). These churches later reproduced and more churches were planted through his teaching.
He was later ordained a deacon and a priest in 1987 and left the following year to Ethiopia where he ministered to the lost boys and girls of Sudan, preaching and teaching them in bible in all the camps of Ethiopia until he reached to Kakama Kenya in 1992 where he also open churches and led the church there for the Sudanese refugees in Kenya.
Archbishop John and his wife Rachel Akuch Awuol are blessed with 3 sons and 3 daughters, both knows and accepted Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. With God’s continued blessing, the elders Daughter (Achol) is a medical doctor currently helping South Sudanese Refugees in Kakuma, Kenya.
Archbishop John has a vision to transform the church in both spiritual formation and theological development and to further reach to all corners of South Sudan with a transformative Gospel. He also has a heart to reconcile and work on peacebuiding activities for all the South Sudanese in various locations. He always travels to where South Sudanese are, preaching, praying and encouraging them to put all their problems and needs to Jesus as their only hope to deliver them from all issues.
The Anglican Church of South Sudan has growing number of dioceses that are under the leadership and spiritual direction of His Grace John Machar Thon.