The other half are Christian, which is due to the evangelistic leadership of southern Christians who are carrying on the work of former missionaries from the RCA and other denominations. Nearly continuous civil war in southern Sudan, since independence from Britain in 1956, and the ensuing economic devastation have forced hundreds of thousands of southern Sudanese to migrate to the north, where most have settled in and around the capital, Khartoum. As a result, hundreds of churches have sprung up in the this predominantly Muslim environment, creating a tremendous need for well-trained and sensitive Christian leadership. To help meet this need, Nile Theological College was established in 1991. It provides a four-year pastoral program leading to ordination and a program for training teachers of Christian religion in public schools.
Most students are southerners from Presbyterian or Episcopalian churches.
Peter and Patty Ford serve at Nile Theological College through the invitation of its board. Peter teaches Bible and theology and assists in the administration of the school. Patty teaches Christian education and is also involved in local children's ministries. The Fords believe that God is using their training and experience especially for this ministry. Peter majored in mechanical engineering in college, then earned master's degrees from Gordon-Conwell and Western Theological seminaries.