Chemchem Sanawari Lutheran Church in Arusha.
By Nicodemus Ikonko
Worshippers at the newly established Chemchem Sanawari Parish of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT), in Arusha are expected to raise over Sh. 200 million for the expansion of their church building.
This was revealed during the parish’s official inauguration ceremony last week, where Lead Pastor Elias Lauo said the expansion would begin later this year to accommodate the increasing number of the faithful.
“From just 70 worshippers in 2000, the parish now receives over 1,000 congregants every Sunday,” said Pastor Lauo, noting that additional projects were also in the pipeline.
They included the construction of a Sunday school facility, a meeting hall, a pastor’s residence, the purchase of a parish vehicle and acquiring more land for church activities.
The inauguration was presided over by Rev. Laretoni Lukumay, Assistant Bishop of the Northern Central Diocese of the ELCT, who used the occasion to call on Christians to pray for national peace ahead of the country’s general elections scheduled for October.
“As christians, let’s pray so that God’s peace may prevail during this important period,” said Rev Lukumay. Also in attendance was the Moivo Ward Councillor, Ms Selina Mollel, who praised the parishioners for their commitment and urged unity ahead of the national polls.
“We must not let religions or political differences divide us. Let us remain united as one family,” she said. Chemchem Sanawari Church is located within Moivo Ward and was recently elevated to full parish status under the ELCT’s Northern Central Diocese.
