The Good Shepherd College & Seminary (GSCS) is an institution and ministry of the Good Shepherd Educational Foundation (GSEF), which conducts training and teaching within its current framework of “Equipping and Empowering Leaders Toward Building Lasting Peace.” Founded in 2004 by the Rev. John Chol Daau, a South Sudanese Anglican priest originally from the Diocese of Bor and a former ‘Lost Boy’ of the Sudan, GSCS was initially started as a mobile training program with an aim to empower refugee clergy and lay leaders of the Episcopal Church of Sudan (Anglican) in Kakuma refugee camp in northwestern Kenya.
While a student at Daystar University in Nairobi, Kenya, John was joined by other faculty members and students in support of his vision to establish a mobile training program at the refugee camp. GSCS evolved as a response mechanism for addressing the training needs and a plight among believers, particularly to empower masses of the untrained Christian leaders and new believers primarily in the Diocese of Bor. To date, GSCS is dedicated to teaching and training of emerging leaders in the Church of South Sudan, the Sudan and beyond. Since its establishment, more than 1,500 clergy, community leaders and teachers have undergone leadership and peace-building trainings and seminars, offered by GSCS in various refugee camps and South Sudan.
Therefore, GSCS aspires to be a leading Christian liberal arts educational institution in academic excellence for formation of innovative and transformative leadership. Its intention is to foster Christ-like leadership development, aiming to provide hope and direction in Christian leadership by producing outstanding Christian leaders and shepherds of God’s flock, who are truly peace builders, loving, forgiving and compassionate servant-leaders in the services of the Lord in South Sudan and beyond. Hence, GSCS is committed to providing reliable Christian-based teaching, training, and innovative research that equips, prepares, molds and nurtures leaders with knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to perform effectively and efficiently for the expansion of the Kingdom of God in South Sudan and beyond. The training institutions of GSEF long to see godly leadership developed and rooted in biblical foundation for sustainable transformation, promotion of peace-building and services.
Mission
GSCS exists to prepare, equip and empower servant-leaders through its Christian-based education and training for transformation and creation of a peaceful society in South Sudan and beyond.
Philosophy
Core is the teaching and training at GSCS is integration of faith and practice. Commitment to faith in Christ is key.
Principles
GSCS is a Christ-centered leadership development institution that strives in “raising and equipping servant-leaders for now and tomorrow.” GSCS believes that academic, faith, character and values culminate into servant-leadership that builds and transforms a nation.
Core Values
The Good Shepherd Educational Foundation (GSEF) with its ministries (Good Shpherd Academy, GSCS, The Christian Times newspaper) embraces Christian and professional values, which include:
- Love
- Humility
- Servant-leadership
- Honesty
- Integrity
- Peace
- Justice
- Reconciliation
- Responsibility
- Compassion
- Care
- Innovation