Bishop Dr Abednego of the ELCT/NWD led a thanks giving service for honoring the church founders in the NWD. This was done due to distinguished service that various church founders incredibly offered to the Lord Jesus through His church.

The service was done on 29th November, 2024 at Kashura Lutheran Church and it attracted many people including church, Government and political party leaders. A good number of church members also attended.  

Rev.Prof.Wilson Niwagila narrated the story regarding the beginning of protestant church in the North Western Tanganyika. He revealed how it has attained heritage from various missionary societies. Again, Rev.Dr. Sylvester Kahakwa explained the importance of honoring the church founders as it draws its roots from culture of people in the region and from the Bible.

During the sermon, the Bishop declared that the same thanks giving service for the founders will be done once every year, the first week of December in congregations, parishes, deaneries and diocese level aiming at honoring the contribution of the founders in various sectors, as per diocese mission. He used that opportunity to urge leaders and church members to serve the Lord Jesus with commitment and credibility so that they may finally leave legacy after they finish their race in this life.

The Bishop made it clear that the service is neither related to veneration of saints/the deceased ones nor praying for the souls of the dead so that they move from purgatory to another space, as it might be done in other churches. It is a thanks giving service for the founders of the NWD who served the Lord during their life time with commitment and credibility, and finally they left legacy in this growing church.

The District Commissioner of Muleba, Dr Abel Nyamahanga commended the NWD to develop such an excellent cultural practice of honoring the founders.