Paul Both

Paul Both

Biography

Paul came to the United States from South Sudan, Africa, as a refugee in June of 1995 due to the ongoing civil war between the North and the South. He feels very blessed to be able to worship our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ freely, and blessed to be able to have obtained an education. Currently, Paul is honored to be a missionary pastor for South Sudan Education Mission (SSEM) and guest preacher for two continents, Africa and North America.

Paul is committed to help make his community, be it in the United States or back in South Sudan, a better place. You can contact Paul by e-mailing him at paulbth17@gmail.com

Experience

  • 2011- Present: President and Founder of South Sudan Education Mission (SSEM) and Missionary to South Sudan and Ethiopia.
  • Organize and conduct fundraising in Africa and the United States.
  • Teach leadership skills.
  • Teach Old Testament and New Testament, Early Nuer Church history and European Church history at Luallok Bible School in Lare, Ethiopia.
  • Serve as Visiting Instructor at Jack Jordan and Manpign Theological College in Western Gambella Bethel Synod and Pagak Bible School in Pagak, South Sudan.Taught Church History at Jack Jordan Bible School in Western Bethel Gambella Presbyterian Church in Ethiopia, Africa, (2013-2015).
  • Conduct ongoing mission work in the new nation of South Sudan and Ethiopia. Serve as guest preacher in the United States of America to preach the Good News of Jesus Christ using the example of my journey as a refuge from South Sudan.

 

2010- 2014: Youth Director- First Presbyterian Church of St. Cloud, Minnesota.

  • Ran a successful after school program for the South Sudanese and American youth.
  • Assisted youth with leadership skills and interpersonal skills.
  • Assist them with God’s word and their native songs.
  • Organized outings to have fun and also took them to summer camping.
  • Helped them with other issues at school and with their parents.

 

2008-2009: School Social Worker, Rochester City School Minors.

  • Provided orientation of new refugees.
  • Assisted with foster care placements District, Rochester, New York.
  • Lead group and individual counseling. Conducted regular home visits to assist students and their family.
  • Evaluated clients and their family dynamics in home environments: completed psycho-social assessments and history.
  • Developed trusting and empathic relationships with students, demonstrating understanding of concerns and ability to intervene in appropriately manner.
  • Documented progress notes, rehabilitation treatment plans, and referrals to community agencies.

 

2003 – 2009: Residential Counselor, Heritage Christian Homes, Rochester, NY.

  • Supported individuals with developmental disabilities, such as mental retardation and cerebral palsy, in their homes.
  • Assisted them daily with independent living skills, developing interpersonal relationships, planning recreational activities, self-care and home care.
  • Scheduled appointments and worked closely with speech pathologists, occupational therapists, nurses, behavior specialists, and dieticians for direction and support.
  • Received training to administer first aid CPR and intervention techniques.

 

2000 – Present: Translator/ interpreter, Hall of Justice of Rochester, New York

2000 – 2004: President and Executive Director: South Sudanese Community, Inc., Rochester, NY.

  • Oversaw agency that assists the growing number of Sudanese refugees arriving each year to the Rochester/Buffalo areas.
  • Speak in Nilotic tongue of South Sudan – fluent in Nuer, some Anuak, and Dinka.
  • Assisted refugees with green cards and applying for U.S. citizenship.
  • Provided emergency assistance and education to promote Sudanese and African cultures.
  • Worked with existing Service Agencies to establish community partnerships and network volunteers within and outside the SSC.
  • Provided practical guidance in basic living (i.e. bus transportation, personal safety, American law, good health, money management, accessing public resources).

 

2001 – 2002: Foster Care Case Worker, Catholic Family Center, Rochester, NY.

  • Conducted home visits to provide Casework for refugees who were unaccompanied and securing apartments.
  • Scheduled appointments with medical and social services.
  • Served as translator in court.

 

1993 – 1994: Translator for U.N.I.C.E Nuer and Amharic to English Gambella Region 12 Ethiopia.

1991- 1994: Secretary for United Nations Food Distribution Dimma Refugee Camp KefFa Region, Ethiopia Education and ministry.

Education:
Master of Divinity, University of Dubuque Theological Seminary, 2014
Master of Social Work, Nazareth College and SUNY Brockport
Bachelor of Science in Social Work, SUNY Brockport, 2008
Associate of Liberal Arts in Human Sciences, Monroe Community College