Kanisa la Mennonite Tanzania

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Kanisa la Mennonite Tanzania
Tanzania: World Factbook, 2009
Location	Musoma, Tanzania (Bishops Council's HQ)
Contact information	The General Secretary, P.O. Box 1040, Musoma, Tanzania Tel: (255) 282620143 Office, email: jumanne_magiri@yahoo.com
Date established	1935
Presiding officers	Bishop. S. Mang'ana (Chairperson) & Deacon J. Magiri (General Secretary)
MWC Affiliated?	Yes
Number of Congregations	283 (2006)
Membership	50 560 (2006)

Kanisa la Mennonite Tanzania (KMT), formerly Tanganyika Mennonite Church, is a Tanzanian Mennonite conference in Tanzania. KMT is officially associated with Mennonite World Conference. In 2006 KMT had 50,560 members in 286 congregations..

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History

Origins

Kanisa la Mennonite Tanzania formally began with the arrival of Lancaster County Pennsylvania missionaries in 1934 Elam Stauffer led missionaries in an effort to create a self-sustaining solid church.

Growth

The church grew, but there were significant culture differences that influenced the way Tanzanians interacted with the church. The creation of churches, schools, hospitals, and community development characterized the early years of mission. The emergence of the East African Revival movement in 1942 had a profound influence on Tanzanians and missionaries alike, calling all to repentance and the breaking down of barriers. By 1950, four Tanzanian pastors were ordained and in 1967 Zedekia Kisare was chosen as the first Tanzanian Mennonite Bishop. The Mennonite Theological College of Eastern Africa, jointly run with Kenyan Mennonites, began in 1962 and continues today.

Present

KMT currently is largely self-sustaining and embedded in key areas in the country. It is now made up of seven Dioceses.. KMT DIOCESE INFORMATION

KMT’s role is to coordinate and facilitate church activities and involvement in all dioceses. KMT has five dioceses, each led by a Bishop. The following table summarizes the names of the diocese, their headquarters and Bishop:

Mwanza

Diocese	Headqurters	Bishop
Arusha	Arusha	Joseph Mutorela
Central	Dodoma	Amos Muhagachi
Eastern	Dar-es-Salaam	Stephen Mang’ana
Lake	Musoma	Christopher Ndege
Mwanza	-
North Mara	Shirati	John Nyagwegwe
Tabora	Tabora	Jackson Magangira
Shinyanga	Shinyanga	Joseph Nyakyema
	Key individuals in church life [perhaps someone could add birth/death dates for those who are deceased and brief biographical descriptions for any individual that you have information about (e.g, where they lived,how they served the church, their significant contributions, etc] A lot of characters ordained and non-ordained, from within and without Tanzania, have contributed immensely to the present state of the Tanzanian Mennonite Church (KMT) and her institutions. The truth is neither space nor time can suffice a comprehensive list of such people, their profile and detailed account of their individual contributions. Herein listed, are only few individuals who were entrusted responsibilities at the national level and or beyond:- Bishop. Z. Kisare (RIP) : Last Station - Shirati,  North Mara Diocese. Was the first African Bishop for the Mennonite Church of  Tanzania & Kenya. Best remembered for being reserved and a proponet of peace everywhere. Bishop. N. Sarya (RIP :Last station - Bukiroba, Lake Diocese.  Was the first Bishop for the Lake Zone (Diocese). A reknown powerful preacher    Bishop. S. Butengé: Last Station - Dar es salaam, Easten Diocese. A reknown powerful preacher   Bishop. J. Mbeba: Last Station - Shirati, North Mara Dioces. Known for his efforts to modernize the Church to meet current challenges Bishop. N. Birai (RIP) : Last Station - Bukiroba, Lake Diocese. Admired with his administrartive cum accounting skills.  Bishop. D. Mahemba (RIP) : Last Station Mwanza, Mwanza Diocese. A vigorous reminder of our Anabaptist faith.  Bishop. S. Mutani:  Last Station Shirati, North Mara Diocese. Prominent in striking articulation while communicating to the believers                                                                                                                                                          General Secretary.  K. Migire : Last Station Shirati Tanzania & Kenya Mennonite Church. Always a character with straight talk for development and defence of equality and justice                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     General Secretary E.Mauma (RIP): Last Station Musoma, Tanzania & Kenya Mennonite Church. A jovial man who liked to sing and proper documentation of  the necessities in administration. General Secretary. M.Chirangi (RIP): Last Station Bukiroba, Lake Zone ( Diocese). Smart in planning & organisational efforts in education & management    General Secretary.J.Okidi (RIP): Last Station Musoma, Bishops Council. Pushed for Organizational and Development Trainning in the whole Church  General Secretary. M. Kawira : Last Station Musoma, Bishops Council:  Stood for good Church PR  and Networking for the Church in Tanzania and abroad    General Secretary. M. Nyitambe: Last Station Musoma, Bishops Council:  Spear headed the Church Constitutional review to address the contemporary challenges    Treasuer. N.Itinde (RIP) : Last Station Bukiroba, Tanzania & Kenya Mennonite Church.  A peace maker and advocate to good stewardship   Treasurer. D. Mtoka (RIP): Last Station Bukiroba, Lake Zone ( Diocese). Encouraged and supported Church developmental projects  and the Theological College  Treasurer. E. Messo:  Last Station Bukiroba, Tanzania & Kenya Mennonite  Church. Promoted accountability on Church funds and properties Treasurer. Togoro (RIP): Last Station Bukiroba, Lake Zone ( Diocese). A man who stresses humility and good stewardship   Tutor. Mrs R. Igira (RIP): Last Station Bukiroba, Domestic Science College. Good humoured and supporter for Women development in the Church   NEWS about KMT: News Alert: The Tanzanian Mennonite Church (KMT) new Leadership. The former Secretary for the Tanzanian Mennonite Church (KMT) Youth Organization well known as Umoja wa Vijana wa Kanisa la Mennonite Tanzania (UVKMT), Deacon Alfayo Wangwe has reported that, following the recent UVKMT – general conference held in Musoma , the following were elected as the new leaders for the organisation at the national level for the coming period of three years from now. Japhet Wangwe - Chairperson Okech Mwangwa - Deputy Chairpeson Herry Dhudha - Secretary Makori Kisare - Depurt Secretary Tuma Kazare - Treasurer In the same pipeline, we are also been notified by the incumbent KMT general Secretary, Deacon Jumanne Magiri that, on the Friday of 03rd September 2010, the KMT (Church) General Conference shall meet in Musoma for deliberation on different crucial development plans and for the general election of Church Leadership for the coming period of three years. We ask for your prayers and all results shall be posted herein as soon as we receive them. Reported by: Musuto wa- Chirangi, 01st September 2010. Following the KMT General Assembly of 03rd September 2010 the following are the elected Leaders for the next three years. Top  Church Officials Bishop. S. Man'gana - Chairperson Biship.  J. Nyagwegwe - Deputy Chairperson Deacon J. Magiri - General Secretary Rev. Mnanka  -  Asst. General  Secretary Rev. J. Nyangi - Treasurer Central Committee (Kamati kuu) Members Mrs. Sattima Mrs. Birai Rev. Makonyo Rev. Kateti Rev. Nyamataga Rev. Nyitambe Departmental Directors Rev. Agutu - Evangelism Mr. F.Magare - Economic & Development Mr. Mseti  - Education Dr. Mokami - Health Services Institutional Board Chairpersons: Mrs. T. Mwaipopo -  Musoma Press Bishop. A. Muhagachi - Nyerere Designated District Hospital. Other Members: Mr. Muhochi, Mrs L. Makoyo & Rev. Machota  Bishop. J. Mtolera -  Shirati KMT Hospital. Other members: Mrs. Masaigana, Mw. Samala & Mr. Makoseo,   Rev. G. Chirangi - Mennonite Theological  College of Eastern Africa: Other members. Rev. Magoti & Hellen Rev. L. Makonyo - Shirati Nursing School: Other members. Doc Kisare Rev. A. Mathube -  Kisare Nursing School: Other Members. Mrs. Monyu My appologies for mispelled names (if any). Reported by: Musuto wa- Chirangi 3rd September 2010 Electronic Resources Annotated Bibliography "Kanisa La Mennonite Tanzania." The Mennonite Encyclopedia: Volume V (A-Z). Scottdale, PA: Herald Press, 1990. Leatherman, Catharine. "Ye Are God’s Building: The Story of Twenty-five Years in Tanzanyika." Salunga, PA: Eastern Mennonite Board of Missions and *Charities, 1959. Shenk, David W. Mennonite Safari. Scottdale, PA: Herald Press, 1974. Citations Acknowledgments Annali Smucker compiled much of the information presented here in a student research paper for a spring 2009 Anabaptist History Class at Goshen College.