Author: Greg Kaufmann
Company: Synod Resource Center

A Covenant
AFFIRMING THE COMPANION CHURCH RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN
NORTHWESTERN OHIO SYNOD, ELCA, AND DODOMA DIOCESE, ELCT
The companion church relationship exists for the purpose of strengthening one another for life and mission within the body of Christ. It offers us the privilege of participating in the life of another church through prayer, study, communication and exchanges of persons and resources. It opens our eyes to the global challenge that Christ offers us today and calls us to deepen our commitment and discipleship as individual persons and as a community of faith.
It is the intent of the people of the Northwestern Ohio Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the people of the Dodoma Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania to enter into a long‑term relationship of love and friendship made possible between us because of the love we have all received from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,
The Northwestern Ohio Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
and
The Dodoma Diocese, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania
COVENANT
that in establishing this relationship we will:
1. pray regularly for one another that God's Spirit may keep us faithful to our Lord Jesus Christ, that we may reach out to all those living around us who do not know the love of God through Christ;
2. encourage specific congregations of the Northwestern Ohio Synod to become involved in this companion church relationship by becoming "Companion Church Congregations," linking these congregations with a particular district in the Dodoma Diocese;
3. enter into a planned process of visitation between the Diocese and the Synod for the purpose of learning from one another and strengthening one another in faith and witness.
We further covenant to establish procedures for and implement this document of agreement.
Signed‑this 	day of May A.D. 1995
‑
Bishop James Rave		Bishop Peter Mwamasika
	Northwestern Ohio Synod	Dodoma Diocese
	Evangelical Lutheran Church in America	Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania