Rev. Stephen Chuang Deng Rueh, vice president of the Evangelical Covenant Church of South Sudan and Ethiopia (ECCSSE), passed away on October 28 in Hawassa, Ethiopia.
“The ECCSSE has lost one of the strongest pillars that holds the church, and a tower has fallen,” wrote Mathew Jock Moses, president of the ECCSSE, in an email. “Pastor Stephen Chuang was the pivotal gear who stood firm to advance the ECCSSE mission.”
Rev. Stephen was ordained to Word and Sacrament in March 2008. He served as vice superintendent of ECCSSE Fangak Conference and as general secretary of ECCSSE. He became vice president of the ECCSSE in 2016.
He will be remembered for his selfless dedication to ministry, truth-telling, teamwork, devotion to God, and support of the mission of the ECCSSE. He was key in helping ECCSSE leaders learn English so they could communicate with Covenant colleagues in North America. He led that initiative, making sure leaders received the language and technical skills to complete emails and speak in English when visits happen.
“Stephen was a dedicated, loving man, and very charismatic leader who motivated many people effectively both in the church and in the community as well,” wrote Pastor James Kwek, chair of the South Sudan Evangelical Covenant Church Council in North America, in an email. “He envisioned and empowered leadership who now have an influence and enhance his ability to help other leaders achieve their goals.”
“Rev. Stephen Chuang always greeted people with a warm smile and a gentle embrace,” said Rev. Josef Rasheed, regional coordinator for Africa with Serve Globally. “For that reason I called him a ‘gentle giant.’ Plus, his 6’7” presence made him a man to be looked up to and respected. He encouraged authentic partnership between the Covenant and the ECCSSE, always remembering us in his prayers. I will miss my friend, his kindness, his sincerity, and most of all his love for the Savior as he served so faithfully.”
