Districts And Parishes
Ihembe District
Ihembe Church District is one of the eight Church Districts in Karagwe Diocese. According to the 2012 Census, the District has 12,850 church members.
The District is located south of the Head Office in Lukajange. The distance from the Head Office to Ihembe District is approximately 45 kilometres, along unpaved roads.
The District is composed of five parishes, served by six pastors and one deacon. The five parishes comprise a total of 29 congregations. In addition, there are 34 evangelists.
Out of the 34 evangelists:
- 30 evangelists serve the congregations and teach Christian Education at the same time.
- 4 evangelists teach only Christian Education in primary schools, secondary schools and colleges within Ihembe District.
2. Church Leadership
The pastors and other workers serving in Ihembe District are:
- Rev. Sevelin Malozi – Ihembe Parish / District Pastor
- Rev. Sunday Kanwakaita – Nyakayanja Parish
- Rev. Melckzedeck Iromba – Nyakasimbi Parish
- Rev. Leopord Materu – Kasheshe Parish
- Rev. Richard Nguma – Bisheshe Parish
- Rev. Winston Majaliwa – Nyaishozi Parish
- Sr. Ester Kahisi – Ihembe District
3. Congregations
The District has 29 congregations:
- Ihembe
- Kajunguti
- Rubale
- Kibogoizi
- Kashambi
- Nyakayanja
- Nyaishozi
- Lukale
- Nyamiyaga
- Bukangara
- Kasheshe
- Rugabo
- Ruhita
- Nyakasimbi
- Kahanga
- Kabale
- Rugu
- Rwibitembe
- Bisheshe
- Rwanda
- Kashuro
- Kikwingiri
- Bethsaida
Mission Area: There is one congregation known and served as a mission area, Rwachikoboko, in Nyakayanja Parish.
4. Institutions
Ihembe District has institutions owned by KAD, including:
- EMaU (Nkwenda Youth and Farmers Training Centre)
- Ihembe Dispensary
5. Activities and Projects
Like other Church Districts within KAD, Ihembe District is guided by the KAD Strategic Plan 2014–2018.
The main task of the District is to preach the Word of God and to serve people holistically.
The main activities and projects are:
- Preaching the Gospel.
- Education for adults, youth and children through various seminars.
- Christian Education in primary schools, secondary schools and colleges.
- Construction of water tanks.
- Installation and repair of electricity systems in Parish Pastors' houses and the District Station.
- Environmental conservation.
- Construction of new church buildings and houses, including the District House, Bisheshe and the proposed Parish at Nyakasimbi.
- Establishment of income-generating projects.
- Purchase of a new car.
6. Other Projects Conducted under KAD Supervision
6.1 New Life Project
The New Life Project operated in all four parishes within the District. The project has now been completed.
6.2 Diaconic Work
Diaconic work is carried out in each congregation.
6.3 KARUCO Project
Church members contribute funds towards the construction of KARUCO.
The District also invites its partners to support the construction of hostels where possible, so that the District can generate income as a source of financial sustainability.
6.4 Mission and Evangelism Programme
The Diocesan departments provide equipment and funds to support the work of preaching the Word of God throughout the District.
6.5 Environmental Conservation Project
The District implements environmental conservation and re-afforestation activities.
6.6 VSLA
There are VSLA groups within the District formed under the ACP, with the aim of enabling community members to become self-reliant, especially through entrepreneurship.
There are also three SACCOs where people participate in savings and credit activities under the supervision of the Planning and Development Department of KAD.
7. Partnership
Ihembe Church District thanks God for the friends and partners who support its ministry and development activities.
The partnership between Ihembe Church District and the Church District of Arnsberg continues to grow.
There is also a partnership between Kasheshe Parish and Rodding Parish in Denmark. The partnership is active and works within the programme of South-to-South Partnership.
Through the Diocesan level, Ihembe is connected to:
- UEM – Germany
- CoS – Sweden
- Danmission – Denmark
- USA/LCA – America
The District shares many blessings through these partnerships, and a number of the projects mentioned above have been supported by these partners.
The District thanks God and all partners for their spirit of working together in love.
“Together we can.”
8. Transportation Challenge
Ihembe District continues to face a major challenge concerning means of transport within KAD.
The District therefore calls upon its partners and friends to consider how this situation can be addressed so that Ihembe District can acquire a car as a means of transport.
The District believes that adequate transportation will strengthen its ability to carry out ministry and serve the people effectively.
9. Contact
For further information, please contact:
District Pastor: Rev. Elnathan Rubanga
Mobile: +255 784 651 841 / +255 763 490 424
Email: erubanga@gmail.com
Email: erubanga@gmail.com