On Thursday, March 30th, the Board of World Mission and the Moravian Church in Northern Tanzania (MCNT) signed a covenant signifying the beginning of a new partnership between the BWM and the MCNT Provincial Board. This covenant signing took place over Zoom and was a joyful occasion, with representatives of the MCNT Provincial Board, North American Provincial Elders’ Conferences, and Board of World Mission present. Through this partnership, we aim to work closely together to support and affirm building a Christian witness in each of our contexts. We hope to do this through frequent collaboration, consultation, prayer, and information sharing.
Much of the preparation for this new covenant was completed during an in-person visit in November of 2022 to Arusha, Tanzania, located near Mt. Kilimanjaro. Justin Rabbach, Executive Director of the BWM, and the Rt. Rev. Chris Giesler, Director of Mission Engagement, met with the MCNT Provincial Board, under the leadership of its president, the Rev. Isaac G. Siame.
As of 2021, MCNT had 26 Congregations, 8 outstations, 34 ordained ministers, and a total membership of 5,482. They will be holding their next Provincial Synod in November of 2023, at which time they hope to elect their first Bishop. The BWM looks forward to many years of partnership that will bring God’s grace and peace to the world.