About the Tanzania Action Committee
The Tanzanian Action Committee was created by Rockland members to fill some of the needs the team saw in Arusha. Past and current ministries include Secondary education, Arusha Lutheran Medical Center, NICU medical support, livestock placements, children’s centers, and school construction. Rockland serves in partnership with a local diocese, its churches, and the local community to provide support and encouragement to both people in the city of Arusha and rural Maasai villages.
Rockland Community Church’s work in Tanzania focuses on the communities of Arusha, Tanzania, and the surrounding areas. Currently, Rockland has two primary ministries: Christian education of young women and self-perpetuating livestock placements. The goal of each of these ministries is to strengthen, support, and encourage by sharing the love of Christ through both relationship and action.
Mission:
Our mission is to strengthen the Kingdom of God in Tanzania by sharing the message of salvation through Christ, encouraging our fellow Christians, and uplifting individuals to realize their dignity and worth in Christ.
Vision:
We envision a Tanzania where every person lives in the fullness of their belonging as a beloved child of God, fully equipped in the armor of God with confident faith, knowledge, and hope through Christ.
Core Values That Drive Action:
- Christ-Centered: We proclaim salvation through Jesus and live as His disciples.
- Dignity: We affirm the God-given worth of every individual, created in His image.
- Encouragement: We strengthen and uplift our brothers and sisters in Christ.
- Education: We nurture independent Christian thinkers who live out their faith.
- Compassion & Care: We walk alongside others, offering comfort and hope.
- Community & Partnership: We magnify God together, uniting across cultures and churches.
Our Mission in Action:
- Education Programs: Through 1:1 sponsorship of students by Rockland members, we provide Christian education to academically capable students that would not otherwise have the opportunity for education or self-direction without this opportunity. Through mentorship in faith by their sponsors, guidance from Christian leaders in Arusha, and continuing message from TAC that each body, heart, and mind is known and loved by God, a foundation of faith is established in addition to the message of dignity and worth.
- Livestock Placements: By providing donkeys and milky goats to Maasai families in need, families have better access to food and water and are better able to provide for their physical needs. This humanitarian act is provided as an act of Christian love and brings dignity and relief from suffering to God’s children.
- Evangelism On Mission: While all TAC programs are evangelistic in their delivery, evangelism becomes specific action while on mission on the ground in Tanzania. We encourage the hearts of individuals who are hungry for the Word of God by distributing bibles and praying with those whose hearts hurt and crave connection with God. Enabled by our partner churches, the gifted bibles strengthen both individuals and the churches in Tanzania that we serve, providing resources they are not able to provide to their congregations themselves.
EDUCATION OF YOUNG WOMEN
A very important part of the Rockland ministry since 2007 has been to provide Christian Secondary educational opportunities for girls who might otherwise not be able to continue their education beyond primary school. Rockland, in partnership with local churches, selects Christian girls for sponsorship. Over 185 Rockland members have exchanged letters, prayed for, and mentored 230 students. After their students complete Secondary, Rockland sponsors have the opportunity to continue sponsoring their students’ education through university or vocational training.
As one Rockland sponsor said, “The relationship we built with our sponsored girl during her 4 years of secondary education is very special. She calls us Mom and Dad in letters and shares with us her hopes and dreams. We pray for her and her family and have traveled to Arusha to meet her. She will always be in our lives.”
MILKY GOATS & WATER-BEARING DONKEYS
Rockland initiated a new livestock placement program, called “Milky Goats,” in 2020. (This program re-invented the popular “Milky Cow” program which became self-sustaining in 2019, with cow recipients giving calves to other church members.) Our church partners in Tanzania are essential in identifying the greatest needs of the communities we serve and sharing those evolving needs with us. In 2020, Rockland purchased the first “milky goats” for poor Christian families in two Maasai villages. The Maasai are traditional goat-herders, raising their goats for meat. The goats purchased and placed are bred specifically for their milk production. This milk supplements child nutrition in these villages. Like the Milky cow program, offspring is shared with other needy church families. And in 2022, the first “water-bearing donkeys” were purchased. These donkeys are used to carry heavy burdens and are essential for improving access to drinking water for the impoverished widows that received them.
Mission 2026
Rockland members can participate in mission trips to Arusha, Tanzania, to serve our sister churches and work with our African brothers and sisters in Christ to advance the kingdom of God. Mission members share the word of God with the people of Tanzania through humanitarian activities and personal evangelism.
The next trip is November 2026. Mission expenses are estimated at $4900 per person. Students 16 years and older are welcome to join when traveling with a family member. Additionally, members can choose to add on one of the incredible experiences Tanzania has to offer, such as going on safari or climbing Mt. Meru. For more information, contact Katie Bellott.
GENERAL SUPPORT
The Rockland Tanzania mission program has ongoing needs for its General Fund. Our Rockland Liaisons in Arusha – Patrick Ngala Olemong’i and Ellie Marco oversee our programs. General funds also support non-sponsored students, Ilboru Church Chilldren's Center, mission team support, student educational & mentoring seminars, transportation and health needs of students as they arise.
Give
Are you interested in giving to support this work? Visit our giving page and select one of the Tanzania projects from the fund drop-down menu.