My name is Mshama Kinyonga, and my wife’s name is Martha. We both graduated in May 2009 from Hyles-Anderson College. Our goal is to reach the people of my home country of Tanzania.

I was saved at the age of fifteen and had a desire to serve God with my life. I attended Faith Baptist Church in Morogoro, Tanzania, and it was there that my desire continued to grow. My pastor, Jerry Wyatt Jr., influenced me to get involved in the ministry. I taught a Sunday school class for children at church and the Bible in the public schools. I also worked in the Puppet Ministry, where we used puppets to go to different public schools, in the Bible Clubs, and in open-air evangelistic meetings. We were able to draw good crowds to present the Gospel. I even had the opportunity to work in the Village Ministry, where we would go to different villages and present the Gospel. The Lord has allowed me to see many people get saved and have their lives transformed in our ministries. In 2005 the Lord gave me the great privilege of going to Hyles-Anderson College to further my life’s calling.

My wife Martha was saved at the age of six. She, too, had a great desire to serve God with her life. She had the opportunity to teach second grade in Kampala, Uganda, at a Christian school. There in Uganda her desire for the African people grew strong. She not only had the privilege to teach English, science, and math; but she was able to teach Bible Clubs too. Throughout her ten-month stay, she was able to capture her students’ hearts; however, the ministry was continuing to capture hers. When she returned to the States, the Lord allowed her to enroll at Hyles- Anderson College, where He would continue to direct her steps.

During our time at Hyles-Anderson College, not only did the Lord bring us together, but He also allowed us the opportunity to get involved in the ministry of First Baptist Church of Hammond. I worked in the Bus Ministry all four years of college, as did my wife. The fact that God gave us a chance to influence people and to bring more sinners to the Saviour was incredible. I thank God for this great college, which trained us to be full-time in the ministry. Not only did we learn practical skills, but also our hearts continued to be softened to the needs of people.

My wife and I are excited to be teaching the people in Tanzania. Our focal point is to transfer the knowledge we received at college to the Tanzanians so they, too, can train others for full-time Christian service.