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..