Brethren in Christ Church, South Africa

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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	1934
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

In 1897 the first Brethren in Christ missionaries left New York for Zimbabwe in late November. Since they arrived just two years after the end of the second war of resistance to white colonial rule, the missionaries were viewed by the nationals as having the same ideals and culture as the colonists. The missionaries soon proved themselves and eventually the Zimbabwe Brethren in Christ Church spread to Botswana, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, and South Africa. (Checole)
The Brethren in Christ Church in South Africa was established in 1988 near the capital city of Pretoria. The original congregation consisted of four different tribal groups that evangelized by hosting tent revival meetings and ministering in prisons and hospitals.
The pastor and organizer of this first church was Rev. Hamilton Madlabane. Anna Engle, who was a missionary working to translate scriptures, first introduced Madlabane to the Brethren in Christ Church. Madlabane then left for the United States and attended Messiah College. At college Madlabane met some Brethren in Christ friends who persuaded him to establish the BIC Church in South Africa. Until recently, Madlabane had been the leader of the Soshanguve Brethren in Christ Church for its entire existence. He has since died.
The second church created was the Hillbrow Brethren in Christ Church, which is currently located in the Johannesburg area. This group was originally formed by expatriate Zimbabweans living in South Africa as refugees that wanted a support group for one another. This small support group eventually created the church, as early leaders, David Masuku and Patrick Sibanda, made efforts to gather everyone together to worship. Their efforts eventually were successful when on January 22, 1991 their first BIC service was held in the home of Buhle Ndlovu. More people began attending, and the church became a uniting of both South Africans and Zimbabweans. This church did not have an official pastor for the first two years of its existence, but eventually the first pastors of this church were Simon Sibanda and Francis Moyo.
Three months after the Hillbrow Brethren in Christ Church began, Rev. Ndlovu, who was on the Zimbabwe NIC Executive Board, travelled to South Africa to introduce the two newly founded groups. This effort was unsuccessful, as their relationship did not work out well.

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 eight dioceses, each led by a Bishop. The following table summarizes the names of the diocese, their headquarters and Bishop:

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 for his administrative 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:  Spearheaded 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:

Obituary: Pastor, Matiku Nyitambe

                          (Pic.design by wa- Chirangi)

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus,

We are sorrowfully informing you of the sudden death (on October 03, 2010) of Pastor Matiku Nyitambe , who at the time of his death was serving as the Tanzanian Mennonite Church (KMT) Executive Council Member. Apart from that by the grace of our LORD Pastor Nyitambe served KMT as the General Secretary between 2001 through August 25, 2007. He worked very conscientiously at various capacities in the Church and the Tanzanian Government. For the church he also served as the Mennonite World Conference Executive Committee member.

The deceased was involved in an accident which took place while driving from his native village (Kirongwe) at the border with Kenya. His body lies in Tarime Hospital morgue and will be transferred to the Musoma Regional mortuary this coming Thursday (October 7th , 2010).

“……The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.” (Job 1:21) RVS).

Mrs. Penina Nyitambe who was with him in the vehicle survived with sustained injuries on her head. We praise the LORD that she is now at her residence in Makoko Musoma after being discharged from the hospital in Tarime. We pray for her quick complete recovery and that may the LORD of widows, orphans and the needy grant her comfort. We further pray that the bereaved family continues to be united throughout this time of grief. May the Grace of our LORD Jesus Christ be with us all.

In collaboration with the family members we are working on funeral arrangements. We will keep you updated as more is known about the funeral service. We plan to have a funeral service in Kirongwe a few kilometres North of Shirati after the a bereavement service that will be held in Musoma on the 8th October 2010 at the Kitaji KMT Congregation.

With great sorrow,

Deacon, Jumanne Magiri 'KMT General Secretary (jumanne_magiri@yahoo.com)

excerpt posted by: Musuto wa -Chirangi (mchirangi@gmail.com)

6th October, 2010.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

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.

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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,  
• Bishop J. Nyakyema - Mennonite Theological  College of Eastern Africa: Other members. Rev. G. Chirangi, Rev. J. Magoti & Hellen Bradburn
• Rev. L. Makonyu - 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.

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.