History of Tanzania
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| History of the CLC’s work in Tanzania |
| Initial Contact On April 4, 2000 Pastor Jesse Angowi sent his inquiry about the CLC to Prof. Pfeiffer at ILC. Since the missionary was going to Kenya for meetings with the Etago people at the end of April, an email was sent to Pastor Angowi of the Lutheran Church of East Africa inviting him to come to the meetings at Nairobi, Kenya. Due to God’s blessing of email and its speed, the meeting took place. The LCEA had withdrawn from the large Lutheran church in Tanzania over its liberalism, the last straw being the ordination of women. At the time of the meeting in Nairobi, their church was two and a half years old. They are registered in Tanzania. |
| April-May 2000 A several day meeting was held in Nairobi between Pastor Koenig and four pastors of the LCEA: Angowi, Issangya, Ukotu, and Massawe. Fourteen pamphlets and leaflets explaining our doctrinal position on a variety of subjects were presented by Pastor Koenig. The Tanzanians also presented a doctrinal paper. There was apparent agreement on all topics. They want to have fellowship with the CLC. |
| January 2002 A proposed doctrinal meeting with the LCEA with representatives from the CLC-USA was cancelled by the CLC. In a letter from the CLC President the LCEA was told “We apologize to you that we cannot come. A number of things have happened that indicate to us that now is not the time…Rev. Koenig will be coming to visit with you. He is asked to be the representative of the CLC, and and to report his recommendations.” |
| May 2002 Seven congregations were visited with three baptisms by the missionary. Discussions on doctrine and practice were held reinforcing what was discussed last time. They continue to desire fellowship with the CLC. They are doing work among the Masai tribe in the Rift Valley. The Muslims are also out there contending for men’s souls. Only 10% of the Masai believe in Christ. There was discussion on how to train their pastors and prospective pastors (ten men are waiting to train). They have 15 congregations with a little under 1000 members. In January of 2002 the LCEA numbered 737 souls in ten parishes. |
| June 2002 The CLC in convention declared itself to be in fellowship with the LCEA based on doctrinal discussions between the missionary and the officers of the LCEA after the LCEA appealed for fellowship to the CLC President. |
| October 24-28, 2002 The missionary and Mission Helper, Tim Schreyer, met with Pastor Angowi and others to work on the beginning of the new seminary at Himo. It is prayed that the school might start early in 2003. The missionary and Tim Schreyer assessed needs at Himo. |
| October 27, 2002 The first seminar was held with the missionary and seven LCEA pastors. It is hoped that each year this can take place. |
| November 14-16, 2002 The first meeting of representatives of the Etago CLC, LCEA and ELCC was held in Uchira, Tanzania, hosted by the LCEA to enjoy fellowship, discuss the starting of the seminary, and to study God’s Word. |
| January-February 2003 Loren and Larry Hansen, Russ Schmitt and Josh Stelter worked on remodeling the building at Himo, Tanzania to be used as St. Peter’s Seminary. With the help of members there, they carried out extensive work: electrical, plumbing, carpentry. Furniture was also supplied for the furnishing of the seminary. The $27,000 for the purchase of the building was given by new CLC members of Mankato, MN, through the sale of their former church building. |
| May 2003 The Seminary was started with nine students this first year, taught by five pastors with varying teaching loads. It was hoped that the subject matter could be caught up with as the normal school year starts in January. As it now stands, it is a three year seminary. |
| November 2003 The missionary visited, preaching and teaching in varioius settings. The Masai work continues being supported by the CLC especially in the Arusha area. Three new stations have been started: Mwakitau, Msitu wa Tembo, and Njoro. |
| 2004 - LCEA and CLCEA Problems between two sections of our sister church resulted in another group being registered due to not being able to work together. With the missionary on the field in December, meetings and discussion were held toward a God-pleasing resolution. The LCEA has started serious work at Tanga and Dar es Salam. The CLCEA has also started work among the Masai with baptisms just as it has been with the LCEA. A rapprochement is beginning with two men going to St. Peter’s Seminary, God-willing, in February from the CLCEA. Both groups have gained members from the old large Lutheran church, ELCR. LCEA has 9 pastors and various assistants and evangelists serving 793 members. St. Peter’s Seminary has 10 students. CLCEA has 12 pastors and 7 assistants serving 819 members, including a station in Uganda. |
| Year 2005 - LCEA Assessed work among Masai and others - Investigated how to better do the Seminary October 27-November 1 - Mission Board members B. Naumann and L. Hansen with missionary held meetings with pastors, seminary students and teachers and visited several congregations. October 31 - Twenty-five pastors and seminary students attended study conference. Fourteen are enrolled in the seminary. |
| Year 2005 - CLCEA Organizing - Assessed work among the Masai - Tests to be given to all pastors. One trip made in spring to Uganda by Pastors Jeremiah and Alex. October 17-21 - Trip to Mbale and Kampala, Uganda by Pastors Jeremiah, Alex and Koenig and Charles to instruct and inform and assess. October 26 - Four represented the CLCEA at Nairobi study conference and met with Mission Board representatives Naumann and Hansen. October 27 - Seventeen pastors and others attended study and discussion with Mission Board members and missionary. |
| Year 2006 - LCEA Missionary present in November for visitation.
Some new pastors joined the LCEA.
Fourteen were enrolled at St. Peter’s.
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| Year 2006 - CLCEA Missionary present in November for visitation.
New work was started at two Masai stations in April and May.
Members attended the pastoral conference at Kisii Oct. 24-25th.
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| Year 2007 - LCEA A visitation was carried out in Nov. by Larry Hansen, Loren Hansen, Russ Schmitt, Pastor Mayhew and the missionary visiting, preaching teaching and helping to organize self-help projects. Pastoral conference was held Nov. 5th. Between Mayhew and Koenig several days were taught at the seminary. |
| Year 2007 - CLCEA A visitation was carried out in Oct.-Nov. by Larry Hansen, Loren Hansen, Russ Schmitt, Pastor Mayhew and the missionary in teaching, preaching and helping in various translation and self-help areas. The Joint East African Pastoral Conf. was held Oct. 30-31 at Arusha with 28 attending. A seminar was held in the Masai district on Nov. 26th. In four districts they now have 2332 souls served by 14 pastors and 19 evangelists. |