Concordia Nebraska students complete mission work in Tanzania

Concordia University, Nebraska students recently traveled to Tanzania to shadow missionaries. The trip allowed students to witness and experience how the Tanzanian church shares the good news of Christ. The trip was co-led by Amy Hubach, assistant professor of education, and Dr. Shanna Opfer, director of the elementary education program.  

The May 21-29 trip was part of Concordia’s annual Mission Education study tour. The tours go to different locations each year. Next year’s trip will be to Taiwan. 

Hubach explained the purpose of the Mission Education trip, saying: “The goals of Mission Education is to help students discern whether God may be calling them to the mission field. This gives them a chance to see what missionary life is like. That is not the only goal. Many students realize they are not going to be heading to the mission field, but they will be serving congregations that can support missionaries and missions around the world. This experience gives students a real-life opportunity that they will be able to share with their future congregations.” 

During the trip, the students went to three Lutheran schools to observe education, visited a home for children with albinism, observed a seminary class, visited a new church plant and went door to door with some of the pastors. While going door to door, the students split into four groups and visited houses for an hour. During that hour, 38 people were baptized.  

The home for children with albinism is important to Tanzanian culture. Tanzania has the highest rate of albinism of any country in the world, but those with albinism are considered cursed and face severe violence and discrimination. The home that the students visited is in the confines of a diamond mine and works to keep the children living there safe and educated. The Lutheran Church of Tanzania is working to educate Tanzanian citizens that people with albinism are not cursed. 

“The goals of Mission Education is to help students discern whether God may be calling them to the mission field, this gives them a chance to see what missionary life is like...This experience gives students a real-life opportunity that they will be able to share with their future congregations.”

“This trip was filled with observation and learning experiences as we talked with the missionaries and other amazing people who are fulfilling different roles as the hands and feet of Christ,” said Amy Crow of Wichita, Kansas, one of the students who went on the trip. 

Crow also said that this trip showed her that mission work is a community of people coming and working together, rather than an individualized service. 

“This trip demonstrated that mission work is not an individualized service but a community of people with diverse gifts and abilities that come together through Christ to meet needs, share the gospel and support continued growth in each Christian’s and local congregation’s life.” 

The trip provided the students a unique opportunity to grow and to learn about how Christ is working through the church in different parts of the world. 

“The Tanzanian Lutheran Church is bold in sharing the Gospel and the people are ready to hear the Good News!” said Hubach. 

Students who participated in the Mission Education trip include: 

Caylen McCoy, pre-seminary, Topeka, Kansas 

Anna Maxson, education, Fort Wayne, Indiana 

Amy Crow, education, Wichita, Kansas 

Rachel Ada, education, De Soto, Kansas 

Aiden Jenik, DCE, Colorado Springs, Colorado 

Ardin Mignea, DCE, Las Vegas, Nevada 

Rileigh Watts, DCE, Colorado Springs, Colorado 

Cadence Fulfs, DCE, Plattsmouth, Nebraska 

At Concordia University, Nebraska, we want to help students study, learn and grow as they prepare for real life and their future vocations. Serving abroad is a great way for students to gain international experience while expanding their worldview, helping them to gain cross-cultural understanding and develop a global mindset.