'Iringa Back to God' Mission - Report 1

AE Team Leader Grace Masalakulangwa introduces evangelist Scott Lenning.

African Enterprise Tanzania sent about 60 evangelists from all corners of Tanzania to Iringa for the 'Iringa Back to God' mission as part of Mission Africa activities. The team was joined by Ev. Scott Lenning, accompanied by his wife Tammy and their three kids Jonathan, Brittany and Scott-Marie; all from Alabama, USA.

The mission was also graced by the presence of Ev. Eliot Winks who came to attend the Change Your Destiny Conference in Dar es Salaam, but decided to travel nine hours by public bus transport to Iringa. Both Scott and Eliot are part of the international organisers of Lausanne 2010, which takes place later this year in Cape Town, South Africa.

"It is very refreshing," Scott said, "for us to get a feel of what Mission Africa is like." Eliot agreed, "Of course yes...and remember those who pray about the mission. They'd love to praise God for what happens here on African soil, and we are privileged to be eyewitnesses."

The mission launched on Sunday, the 1st of August 2010. Evangelists visited different churches in the Iringa Municipality to minister and create awareness for Mission Africa. Many people in those congregations gave their lives to Jesus, as indicated below:

• Kihesa Lutheran Church - 140
• Moravian Church Kihesa - 3
• Ipogolo Lutheran Church - 3
• Pentecost Holiness Mlandege - 15
• Mkimbizi Lutheran Church - 9

Procession marking the launch of Mission Africa's 'Iringa Back to God.'

In the afternoon, processions of people led by brass band and choirs marched in various streets of Iringa Municipal to Gangilonga grounds. Here people celebrated, cheered and danced as they sang praises to the Lord.

In his opening speech, Chairman of the Organising Committee of 'Iringa Back to God,' Pastor Fedson Mwashilindi shared the word of God from Titus 2:11, which is a message for the mission. He gave a warm welcome to all the evangelists who came for the mission and said Iringa will cooperate with them.

Addressing the gathering to introduce the mission, African Enterprise Team Leader Grace Masalakulangwa thanked all evangelists, individuals and all churches that gave offerings for the success of the mission. "Without this assistance, it would have been difficult to accomplish the mission," she confessed. She introduced the guests and Mission to the audience. She said that the last time AE conducted 'Iringa Back to God' was way back in 1989 and this year God has favoured Iringa's people and that God has a purpose.

Iringa Back to God chairman Rev. F. Mwashilindi opens the mission.

In his brief remarks, Scott said that Iringa is among 50 cities earmarked for Mission Africa. He said that his family was happy to be in Africa despite the risks the family had to encounter. He was referring particularly to his son Jonathan who escaped unhurt in a recent bombing tragedy in a restaurant in Kampala, Uganda, where he went to help with mission activities.

Scott urged evangelists to preach honestly while looking for guidance from God himself. He shared a word of encouragement from Genesis 24:42 where Abraham's servant had to seek guidance from God to get a wife for Abraham's son Isaac. "We also need to pray that God guides us not only to reach everyone in Iringa, but also to meet the challenge of being trustworthy in God's work."