Global Ministry
Tanzania Companion Congregation
St. Mark’s has established a companion congregation relationship with Kihesa Lutheran Church of the Iringa Diocese in Tanzania. Our congregation currently provides for 45 scholarships to support young students in getting a secondary education, has given financial support to help build a Youth Life Skills Center and buy a motorcycle for the Kihesa staff, and to develop a relationship with the members of this congregation by visiting them and having them visit us. Mission teams from St. Mark’s have visited Kihesa five times.
- Mission teams in 2002 and 2004 helped with construction of a Life Skills Center.
- A mission team in 2006 conducted an AIDS/HIV seminar, established a library, and established a sewing class at the Kihesa Youth Life Skills Center.
- A mission team in 2008 added additional books to the library, dedicated the new motorcycle donated to the Kihesa staff and made home visits to AIDS/HIV patients from the congregation.
- A mission team of nine people visited Tanzania for two weeks in March 2010 and in July/August 2012, 13 people visited Tanzania to continue our relationships and partnerships.
- A trip was being planned for June 2020 but postponed due to COVID-19..