Same Tanzania Partnership Renewed

First Lutheran Church has had a long standing companion relationship with the Lutheran churches of Same, Tanzania. This companion relationship is now being renewed and strengthened through the use of zoom meeting between members of our Global Outreach Team and the Same Joint Companionship Committee. On Saturday, November 13, members of both church met on zoom to deepen friendships between the two churches and to discuss ministry challenges.


The Lutheran Church in Same, Tanzania, continues to grow. What was one large parish with many sub congregations, is now organized as three parishes. Each parish has a pastor and one or two lay evangelists, and each parish is composed of three or more sub congregations, as in a multi-site ministry. Same is located about 100 miles south and east of Mt. Kilimanjaro on highway to Dar Es Salam.


Why a companion partnership with the Lutheran Church in Same? We are reminded that the church of Jesus Christ and the mission of God is bigger than just Cedar Rapids. In our companioning, we encourage one another in ministry, discover common challenges in carrying out ministry, and learn from one another. We may have financial and organizational resources for ministry, but we discover the resources of the Spirit that the church in Same has can inspire and invigorate our own church life.


Pastor Steve Knudson and members of First Lutheran traveled to Same in 2018 to visit the congregations. First Lutheran is looking to send a team to Same, Tanzania, in 2023.