The Southeast of Lake Victoria Diocese (SELVD) of the Lutheran church of Tanzania has witnessed tremendous growth. When a new congregation is formed, the members purchase and clear the land, pour the foundation, make the bricks, and construct the walls for the new building. This is a labor of love by the members many of them new Christians. Their biggest challenge is to raise money to purchase wood and steel sheets for the roofs. Most of these new church plants are in rural areas where the congregation consists of subsistence farmers. Money is a scarce commodity.
In 2012, when the SELVD was established, it was made up of 14,371 members, 5 Districts, 37 Parishes and 70 Sub Parishes. In 2022 when it marked its tenth anniversary, it had 28,498 members, 15 Districts, 105 Parishes and 312 Sub Parishes.
With this phenomenal growth comes challenges. Currently over forty congregations are meeting without a roof to protect them from the weather. The diocese estimates 24 more congregations will be formed in the next 2 years.
Please consider making a donation for church roofs in Tanzania. You can send a check earmarked Tanzania Roofs to the Mid-South District LCMS, 1675 Wynne Road, Cordova, TN 38016.
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