The Iringa Diocese, established in 1987, is one of 20 dioceses which make up the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT). The St. Paul Area Synod has had a companion relationship with the Iringa Diocese since 1987.

Bishop Owdenburg Mdegella was elected as the first bishop of the Iringa Diocese and continues to serve in that capacity. He is a bright, articulate and visionary leader that has given excellent leadership to the Lutheran Church in Tanzania.

The Iringa Diocese has:

• 156 pastors
• 671 trained evangelists who preach and teach on regular basis
• 70 parishes - each parish has several preaching points. Today there are more than 600 preaching points
• 95,000 baptized members
• Owns and operates six secondary schools within the geographical boundaries of the Diocese
• An annual diocese budget of $3.1M.

The Iringa Diocese anticipates having three new parishes in the coming year to serve a fast growing church.

The St. Paul Area Synod has participated in the growth of the Lutheran Church in the Iringa Diocese by funding construction of new church buildings, educating pastors, providing secondary school scholarships, and supporting the following entities and projects: Illula Lutheran Hospital and village dispensaries, St. Paul Partners (water and hygiene), Tumaini University (Institute of Agriculture, theology scholarships and building construction), Iringa Hope (microfinance), Radio Furaha (Christian radio), and Huruma Centre for orphaned children.

The on-going needs of the Iringa Diocese include: educating pastors, evangelists, and lay leaders, provide educational facilities and equipment for Tumaini University, Ilula Lutheran Hospital and the six secondary schools operated by the Diocese, and economic empowerment of lay members of the Iringa Diocese through various income generating projects.

Did you know:

• population of Tanzania is 43 million

• 45% Christian, 35% Muslim and 20% traditional religion

• 5 million Lutherans in Tanzania (second largest Lutheran church body in the world)

• Africa is 3 times the size of Europe

• Africa is 4 times the size of the U.S.

• Tanzania has 363,495 sq. miles

• Minnesota has 218,576 sq. miles