Tanzania Info

This is a map of the % of evangelicals and church planting activities in Tanzania. As you can see there is still great need as most of the red,yellow,and orange show minimal evangelistic efforts. There is an unfortunate maxim of religion in Africa, and that is "a mile wide, but an inch deep". As our team seeks God's heart for and with the people of Tanzania, we hope to see a great impact throughout those less-reached areas. Even among Tanzanians, there are still classic unreached peoples. The Joshua Project keeps a record of all the people groups with less than 2% having made commitments of faith to Jesus. As I read all the remaining ethnic groups in Tanzania, I was floored by the openess of the Kingdom. We possess a gospel and a savior that is capable of meeting and loving anyone, with any background, and any people. There is such a sense of privilege setting foot in this country. Let you Kingdom come, oh Lord.

One Life Video

This is one of the coolest videos World Vision has ever done - it's hard not to get chills down your spine.



I believe the message is good, but as a Christian I would emphasize the eternal perspective. Because we're looking forward to the life ahead of us, some of the obstacles get removed to the sacrifices we can make in this life. It's the Kingdom perspective.

just ordinary people, doing extraordinary things for Jesus

What an awesome time! Our team had a chance to share at Joshua House, the college/young professional service at our church, and it was just so encouraging. We actually got a standing ovation after we shared - there is just quite a lot of excitement surrounding what we get to do. To steal JFK's line above, that sums up what we feel about serving in Tanzania. The other part that was really special to us about sharing at J house is that it was where we "grew up". Both Melissa and I were welcomed into communities there around the age of 18. We were mentored and disciplined by some awesome people and later became leaders. God stretched us and grew us in so many ways through our ministry there, and ultimately prepared us for what we're getting to do now.
It is so good to be involved in a community of believers that challenge and encourage us. We have been so blessed in our home church. So much of what we hope to bring and share with people in Tanzania, are the rich blessings that can exist in a body of believers. I know we still have so much to learn, and in a communal African context, I can't even imagine how awesome the church can become. As Melissa always says, we fully feel the "intense privilege" of what we get to do. Praise Jesus!