Idete, Tanzania

Bega kwa bega is the theme of our Companion Congregation relationship. It truly defines the partnership that is shared between our congregations. Although one might be in Africa and the other in Minnesota, we work and stand bega kwa bega as we grow in faith and carry on the work of Jesus Christ.

Our Vision

In this companion relationship we will share Christ’s love through prayer. We are committed to fostering education through student scholarships, congregational and special needs, communication and visitor exchanges.

Companion Congregation Program

Farmington Lutheran’s companion congregation is located in the town of Idete. Idete is a small town located in the south central highlands of Tanzania, about 3 hours southeast of the town of Iringa. It is located in the mountains. The congregation consists of Idete church and 4 preaching points. It is served by 2 pastors. The Pastor of the Idete congregation is Patson Lubava and Naphtale.

Idete Secondary School Scholarships: An Opportunity to Make a Big Difference

The need for scholarship sponsorship is created in part by the economic conditions within Tanzania. Students and their families are asked to co-pay for their education. The problem is that most families do not have any cash to contribute towards a student’s education.

Not many Iringa area students are attending secondary schools because they (and their families) cannot afford the school fees. These fees generally cost about $300 US per year. While that may not be a huge amount for Americans it is in fact an insurmountable amount for most Tanzanians.

How can you help? Currently, Farmington Lutheran sponsors nine secondary student at the Idete Secondary School located in the mountains near Idete, through individual donations.

Companion Congregation Program with the Iringa Diocese

Officially begun in 1987 as a synod to synod program with a primary focus on educating pastors for the rapidly growing Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania, the synod’s relationship with the Iringa Diocese has evolved into a grassroots movement in which congregations in the Saint Paul Area Synod are matched with congregations in the Iringa Diocese. The companion congregation program focuses on five areas, including prayer, communication, scholarship for secondary and post-secondary education, exchange visits, and financial support. Fifty-six partnerships have been formed with congregations in Iringa Diocese.

Participating congregations agree to pray for one another regularly and to engage in regular communication through e-mail, videos, letters, or photographs. Providing scholarships helps strengthen the local economy, and exchanges between congregations affirm unity in mission and foster cultural understanding. In addition, Saint Paul Area Synod congregations support Tanzanian congregations with up to $1,000 annually over three years, which might include the purchase of roofing and building materials, program support, cows, or bicycles for evangelists. Funds contributed above this amount are added to a Common Basket and used for congregations without companions to meet specific needs.

Since its inception in 1987, more than 500 visitors from the Saint Paul Area Synod have visited Iringa, with more than half of those visiting since the congregation partnerships began in 2000. More than 40 have visited the synod from Iringa, ten of those since 2000. And, thirty synod congregations have visited partner parishes in groups ranging from three to twenty people. These visits have strengthened and cemented relationships with partner parishes by enabling visitors to understand the culture, faith, and life of our brothers and sisters in Christ living in Iringa.

Tanzania in Context

For most Tanzanians, life is an enormous struggle for clean water, wood for cooking fires, adequate food for the family, school fees for children and medical care. Subsistence farmers, who make up the majority of the population, face periodic droughts. Urbanization is a new phenomenon, as many move to the city to seek a better life. Health and education are major challenges for the government and the church.

The rapidly growing Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT) has more than 2.7 million members, 1,000 pastors and 1,900 evangelists in 20 dioceses. Evangelism, leadership, development, health ministries and social justice are priorities, with a growing involvement in secondary education.

Did You Know:

• AFRICA is 3 times the size of Europe
• AFRICA is 4 times the size of the US
• TANZANIA has 363,495 square miles
• MINNESOTA has 218,576 square miles

THE IRINGA DIOCESE HAS:

• 100 pastors/leaders
• 306 trained evangelists who preach and teach on a regular basis
• 52 parishes – each parish has several preaching points – 324 congregations
• 60,000 baptized members
• An annual diocese budget of $235,000

With available leadership THE IRINGA DIOCESE could start ten new congregations each year for the next ten years.

THE POPULATION of TANZANIA is 30 million.

THE RELIGIOUS MAKEUP is:

• 47% Christian
• 33% Muslim
• 20% traditional religions

LUTHERANS IN TANZANIA:

• 2.7 million
• 20 Diocese in ELCT

Contact Information

Global Missions Committee