UEM Celebrates 30 Years of Mission and International Partnership

Thousands of Christians from within and outside the North Western Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT) have attended celebrations marking 30 years of the international mission of the United Evangelical Mission (UEM), held at the Cathedral of the Redeemer in Kengere Tatu, Bukoba.

The celebrations were marked by a special thanksgiving service for the 30 years of UEM, bringing together church leaders from member churches, Christians and UEM partners from different regions.

Addressing thousands of worshippers who attended the service, Bishop Dr. Abednego Keshomshahara, Bishop of the North Western Diocese and Moderator of the United Evangelical Mission worldwide, said that UEM’s 30 years are a testimony to God’s work in bringing Christians and churches from different countries together to carry out God’s mission collectively.

Bishop Keshomshahara said UEM has played an important role in building partnerships, sharing experiences, strengthening church ministries, and enabling Christians and church leaders from different countries to work together in proclaiming the Gospel and serving communities.

He further said that the 30th anniversary celebrations should provide an opportunity to reflect on the achievements made over the past 30 years, learn from the challenges encountered, and develop new strategies for advancing UEM’s mission for future generations.

For his part, the UEM Executive Secretary for Africa, Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Muhozi, said that the 30 years of UEM have been a period of building fraternal relationships among churches and people from different countries. He stressed the importance of strengthening such partnerships in addressing challenges facing the world and the Church.

Speaking virtually, the UEM General Secretary, Rev. Dr. Andar Parlindungan, congratulated everyone who has benefited from UEM in one way or another, saying that the achievements of the past 30 years have been made possible through the cooperation of leaders, church workers, Christians and various UEM partners.

Rev. Dr. Parlindungan said the 30 years of UEM have been filled with a history of testimony, partnership, learning and working together in God’s mission, while assuring that UEM will continue to strengthen its partnerships and ministries in different parts of the world.

Earlier, while preaching from Galatians 3:28, Bishop Jairos Mothus Letlhage from Botswana, Vice Moderator of UEM Africa, said God’s mission should unite people regardless of nationality, ethnicity, language, gender or other differences that may divide them.

He said the message of Galatians 3:28 reminds Christians that in Christ there is no discrimination, but all are one, and this should serve as a foundation for cooperation among churches in carrying out God’s mission.

Bishop Letlhage said the 30th anniversary of UEM is an opportunity to thank God for the work accomplished, recognize the contributions of various people throughout UEM’s history, and collectively look ahead to how the mission can continue in the years to come.

Eliud Henry Kwelebela
Information Officer – ELCT/NWD