Companion Congregations & Clusters

Shoulder to shoulder and hand in hand, this is how Bega Kwa Bega has grown. Its strength lies in the grassroots network of relationships that links congregations and communities of faith across continents. These relationships, not head office to head office or individual to individual, are at the heart of how this program has been structured.

 

Since formalizing a companion partnership in 1987, the Saint Paul Area Synod and the Iringa Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania have been walking together to learn more about what it means to be Lutheran in our global church. Through visiting companions, receiving the pastoral team as guests, prayerful support, supporting projects, and living through the values of accompaniment, companions on every end of the partnership have grown more deeply into faith.

 

In St. Paul, cluster leaders serve as the primary point of contact and support for 10-12 congregations within the synod. Cluster leaders are volunteers based in the United States who assist congregations here to develop deeper connections with their companions in Iringa.

 

As the Iringa Diocese continues to grow and add new parishes, there is always an opportunity (and a need) to identify new companions from the Saint Paul Area Synod. Currently there are 40+ congregations in Iringa looking for connections. If you or your congregation are interested in learning more, email begakwabega@spas-elca.org to start the conversation!

East Central Cluster

Cluster Leader: Jim Wolf | jimwolf5708@msn.com | 651.459.8148
SPAS CONGREGATIONDIRA PARISH
Beaver Lake/Holy CrossIkengeza
Bethel, Hudson, Wi.Cathedral
Bethel, Hudson, Wi.Wilolesi
Bethlehem, BayportImage
Christ the King White Bear LakeMasisiwe
Christ, Lake ElmoLulanzi
Christ, Marine on St. CroixUgesa
Gethsmane, MaplewoodPommern
Grace of God, WoodburyKitasengwa
House of Prayer, OakdaleIfunda
Our Savior's, StillwaterMlafu
St. Mark, N. St. PaulKihesa
St. Paul, StillwaterMgama
St. Stephen's, White Bear LakeLukani
Trinity, StillwaterMwatasi

 

North Cluster

Cluster Leader: The Rev. Dale Stiles | pastor@sharingchristslove.org | 763-245-4006
SPAS CONGREGATIONDIRA PARISH
Chisago Lake, Center CityIlula
Elim, ScandiaKivalamo
Faith, Forest LakeKidabaga
First, Rush CityKitowo
Fish Lake, HarrisWasa
Immanuel, AlmelundItonya
St. Paul's, WyomingMigoli
St. Paul's, WyomingMtera
Trinity, North BranchPawaga

 

North Central Cluster

Cluster Leaders: Caryn & Jim Josephson | czjosephson@gmail.com
SPAS CONGREGATIONDIRA PARISH
Abiding Savior, MoundsviewMakungu
Christ the King, New BrightonNduli
Galilee, St. PaulUhominyi
Incarnation, ShoreviewKigamboni
Incarnation, ShoreviewMkwawa
Prince of Peace, RosevilleBomalang'ombe
Roseville Lutheran, RosevilleNg'ang'ange
Shepherd of the Hills, ShoreviewKidamali
St. Mark's, Circle PinesWimbe

 

South Cluster

Cluster Leader: Birdie Olson | birdie_olson@msn.com | 952-890-4642
SPAS CONGREGATIONDIRA PARISH
Christiania, LakevilleIhemi
Christus Victor, Apple ValleyMlowa
Easter, EaganNyanzwa
Family of Christ, LakevilleUsokami
Farmington LutheranIdete
Mt. Calvary, EaganIpalamwa
Our Saviour's, HastingsIlambilole
Our Saviour's, HastingsIhominyi
Prince of Peace, BurnsvilleIlambo
Shepherd of the Valley, Apple ValleyMakifu
Shepherd of the Valley, Apple ValleyTungamalenga
Shepherd of the Valley, Apple ValleyUsolonga
St. James, BurnsvilleIdunda
St. John's, LakevilleMuhanga

 

City Cluster (formerly South Central)

Cluster Leader: Karsten Nelson | karstenn@comcast.net | 651.772.2445
SPAS CONGREGATIONDIRA PARISH
Arlington Hills, St. PaulIdegenda
Christ (Hill), St. PaulMasimike
Como Park, S. PaulItungi
Gustavus Adolphus, St. PaulIgangiung'u
Gustavus Adolphus, St. PaulKiponzelo
Immanuel, St. PaulMagubike
Immanuel, St. PaulMkimbizi
Our RedeemerKidewa
Pilgrim, St. PaulLuganga
St. Timothy, St. PaulIrindi

 

Southeast Cluster

Cluster Leader: Elizabeth Henrickson | echendrickson@gmail.com | 612-210-8013
SPAS CONGREGATIONDIRA PARISH
All Saints, Cottage GroveKipaduka
Amazing Grace, Inver Grove HghtsMagulilwa
Augustana, West St. PaulIpogoro
Augustana, West St. PaulNyamhanga
King of Kings, WoodburyKilolo
Luther Memorial, South St. PaulMlandege
Lutheran Church of Peace, MaplewoodKising'a
Newport LutheranKimala
Salem, West St. PaulMagome
St. Stephen's, West St. PaulIhimbo
St. Stephen's, West St. PaulIwonde
Zion, Cottage GroveKitapilimwa

 

Other Congregations

Russ Hilliard | rhilliard@uptonhatfield.com
Jo Whiting | tidewatch9@comcast.net
CONGREGATIONDIRA PARISH
Christ the Lord, Carefree, AZNdengidsivili
Holy Trinity, New Prague, MNRuaha Mbuyuni
Holy Trinity, Newington, NHIsimani