In order to carry out partnership efforts thousands of miles away it is always essential to have a key leader in the area receiving assistance. Most of the time this person is an IMB missionary. However, as we attempt to expand the influence of Kentucky Baptists throughout the world, it becomes increasingly necessary to rely on nationals to plan strategy, make logistical arrangements, and be a source of information and contact. With the Piauí-Brazil partnership, that person was Jório Francílio. With Tanzania, Moses Mboya is that person.
Moses (l) with BCT Secretary, Ernest Sumisumi and BCT President, Richard Mwaihuti
Moses is no stranger to Kentucky Baptists. Those who participated in our partnership with the Baptist Convention of Tanzania (BCT) from 1999-2001 remember him as one of the translators. Later, with the help of Georgetown College and Georgetown Baptist Church, Moses came to the States to earn his college degree. Whereas many nationals receiving such help remain in the US, Moses, true to his word, returned to Tanzania.
“We went back to Tanzania because of our promise to God and to our sponsors. We said, ‘If God gives us the opporutnity to learn, we will go back to Tanzania and serve in whatever field He chooses.” *
One year after returning to Tanzania, Moses was elected as the new executive secretary of the struggling convention. A position that pays absolutely nothing. Knowing the convention needed help, he reached out to Kentucky Baptists. Kentucky Baptists responded by forming a new “Limited Partnership” with the BCT.
One of my first responsibilities as director of the Partnership Missions Department was to establish contact with Moses to begin putting the partnership into action. I had the priviledge of traveling to Tanzania last June with a team of KBC staff to meet with Moses and his leadership team. I was impressed with Moses’ maturity and humbleness. He did everything in his power to accomdate us and make the most of our time together. He is a dedicated young man with a heart for the people of Tanzania and a vision for the Baptist Churches of Tanzania. As we spent much time together on the road, in meetings, eating, and conversing, we formed not only a good working relationship, but I also sensed a strong brotherly bond in Christ.
That is no surprise, given his family heritage. Moses’ grandfather was a pastor in Tanzania until his death in 1981. His father was also in the ministry and teaches in the Kipoke Secondary School. His wife, Tunosye, is a university graduate and committed Christian. They have a daughter, Abigile, age 4.
Moses is a key factor in the sucess of this partnership. Please pray for him as his job takes him away from his family for days and sometimes weeks at a time as he travels all over the country to meet with pastors. Pray for his leadership and the team of pastors he is building that will bear the main responsibility of maintaining the gains made in rebuilding this convention through our partnering with the BCT.
* from Krisite Randolf, Former translator working hard to stregthen Tanzanian Baptists, Western Recorder, Jan. 30, 2008. (see www.westernrecorder.org/wr/wrsite.nsf/stories/200727-Tanzania)
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