‘Putting out into the deep’: Bishops in Tanzania gather for five-day retreat

Posted on: August 25, 2026 10:20 AM

The Most Revd Maimbo Mndolwa, Archbishop of Tanzania, and the Rt Revd Dr Jo Wells, Deputy Secretary General of the Anglican Communion and Bishop for Episcopal Ministry, gather with bishops of the Anglican Church of Tanzania and their spouses during the five-day ‘Putting out into the deep’ retreat in Biharamulo, Tanzania.

Related Categories: Anglican Church of Tanzania, Bishop Jo Wells, Canon Sammy Wainaina, Deputy Secretary General, Diocese of Biharamulo, Diocese of Geita, Episcopal Ministry team of the Anglican Communion Office

The bishops of the Anglican Church of Tanzania (ACT) and their spouses are gathering in the Diocese of Biharamulo from 24-28 August for a five-day retreat on the theme: ‘Putting out into the deep’.

ACT is hosting the retreat, with contributions from its own clergy alongside representatives from the Anglican Communion Office, Tearfund and Lambeth Palace.

The retreat comes at a time of significant expansion for the Province, which is creating three new dioceses in 2026 - Geita, Handeni and Kahama - adding to its current 28, with four more planned for 2027. The week’s programme will focus on equipping leaders for growth and discipleship while providing pastoral support.

Combining Bible study and discussion, the sessions will focus on deepening approaches to Anglican leadership, identity and community engagement. The theme is inspired by Luke 5:4, where Jesus tells Simon Peter to ‘Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.’ The Most Revd Maimbo Mndolwa, Archbishop of Tanzania and his General Secretary, the Revd Canon George Otieno Lawi, selected the scriptural focus because it has much to teach on discipleship, abundance and trust, a fitting reflection for a Province in a season of growth.

Other features of the retreat include sessions on Church Community Transformation (CCT), led by Tearfund’s local team, which will invite the bishops to identify ways the church can work with local needs and strengths.

There will be time to explore Anglican identity, the history of the Anglican Communion and the role of the Anglican Church of Tanzania within this global family.

ACT will also run a session to look at the Province’s constitution and how to implement new governance processes in local church life, following constitutional updates in 2025 that changed how bishops are nominated.

A visit to the home of President John Magufuli, who died in 2021, with a lunch hosted by the local church in Chato is also planned.

The retreat is taking place between two consecrations of new bishops in ACT. The first took place on Sunday 23 August at Christ the King Cathedral, Geita, where the Rt Revd Joseph Kitwe was consecrated as bishop of the new Diocese formed from the existing Diocese of Victoria Nyanza. The service was led by the Primate of ACT, Archbishop Maimbo.

From left: the Very Revd Canon Dr Sammy Wainaina; the Rt Revd Joseph Kitwe, newly consecrated Bishop of Geita; and the Rt Revd Dr Jo Wells, Deputy Secretary General of the Anglican Communion and Bishop for Episcopal Ministry, during the bishops’ and spouses’ retreat in Biharamulo, Tanzania.

Speaking about his recent consecration, Bishop Joseph shared that he was pleased to become the first bishop of the Diocese of Geita. ‘As I have already been working in Geita, it was good to celebrate with so many friends and my church family’, he said. ‘Many visitors and guests came … [and] I thank God for this new ministry that we are facing now.’ He shared his excitement to reach the communities in his Diocese ‘with the word of God so that we can transform them… and give them a new chapter in Jesus Christ.’

The retreat will be followed by the consecration of a new bishop for Kahama Diocese (30 August), another of the newly created dioceses, at which the Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, the Rt Revd Anthony Poggo, will preach.

Before the start of the retreat, the Most Revd Maimbo Mndwolo, Archbishop of Tanzania, shared that, ‘The upcoming retreat for bishops and their wives will be very crucial because it will enable bishops to spend time in prayer and reflection. It will equally strengthen our spiritual leadership and equip us with practical skills to manage challenges, guide our churches with wisdom and care for our marriages’.

The General Secretary of the Anglican Church of Tanzania, the Revd Canon George Otieno Lawi, said: ‘As the ACT's General Secretary and someone who works closely with bishops administratively, I have been seeking capacity building for our Bishops and their spouses. I strongly believe that such a learning space has the potential to shape our mission priorities, practical engagements, and episcopalian decisions that ultimately determine whether mission-driven solutions succeed or stall. It is my hope that at the end of the retreat, a shared desire for long-term resilience, innovation and value for creation will be regained.’

The Rt Revd Dr Jo Wells, Deputy Secretary General of the Anglican Communion and Bishop for Episcopal Ministry, said: ‘My prayer is that the retreat will be a valuable opportunity for deep sharing, deep learning and for drinking in God’s love and goodness. It is a joy to work with the Province of the Anglican Church of Tanzania in resourcing bishops and their spouses in their ministry and leadership. It’s a rare chance for these sisters and brothers in Christ to meet together, engage in fellowship, share in mutual hopes and challenges and focus their learning.’