Field Partner: David Taban

Meet Pastor Taban

Taban and three fire stones

In a region referred to by locals as Salia Musala sits a growing, strategic trade center. In Kakwa, the name translates to “three fire stones,” akin to the process of building a fire, where it’s customary for locals to start with three stones that serve as the foundation.

In this region South Sudan, Uganda, and the DR Congo all share a border. David Taban, lead church planter of Ever on Mission (EOM), sees this area as a strategic hub for the Gospel of Jesus to catch fire.

Fertile soil for the gospel

Many families living in Salia Musala are refugees seeking land for housing and agriculture. They’re looking for safety and provision. Taban believes the dire circumstances are what make fertile soil for the gospel to grow. “When we plant the seed of the gospel, it can spread to all three countries,” he said.

Taban and the EOM team held a summit to cast a 5-year vision for church planting across the Salia Musala region. Thankfully, they already have a strong church leadership team rooted in Scripture to put this vision into action.

EOM places a high standard on church leaders. They have to be “very biblical, people who provide care, and people who give their lives sacrificially.” Taban stresses how important it is for his team to be rooted in Scripture — to love the Word of God and to live it out.

Pastor Taban with Pastor Isaac

Sunday Gathering with Ever On Mission

Pastor Taban with Steve

The Great Commission takes a community

Church leaders of EOM are committed to sharing the truth of the gospel and seeking out the lost. They know they exist to fulfill the Great Commission. But they also know they can’t do it alone. When talking about growing their church across the Salia Musala region, Taban said, “Our greatest need is spiritual growth and leadership development so that we can be able to go forth carrying on the mission of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

He knows a church stops being healthy when there is no biblical leadership. So it’s no surprise that his most pressing request is for partners in prayer and leadership development. This is why Known exists — to come alongside leaders like Taban and equip them to make healthy disciples.

“We are trying to develop a disciple-making culture in which all team members get engaged in all-round discipleship: one-on-one, apprenticeships, classes, and formal and informal group discussions,” Taban said.

While refugees see Salia Musalia as ground for a new life, so does Taban in a spiritual sense. The Church should show “tender concern and care for one another,” he said, “building one another in the faith.” It’s this love paired with the truth of the gospel that creates new life in people and communities across Salia Musalia.

We’re grateful to partner with Taban and Ever on Mission to advance the gospel and make the name of Jesus known.

Pray with Taban as they:

Establish a strategic center for training and outreach in the Salia Musala area.
Invite other churches into partnership that desire to work together on a mission to advance the gospel.
Revitalize declining churches located in transient areas.
Develop a disciple-making culture for leadership development.