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Written by Anneth Munga
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Thursday, 22 March 2007 19:18 |
 Rev. Sosthenes Kibanga 1949 - 2007 | We are very sad to inform you all that Rev. Sosthenes Kibanga, Pastor in-charge of Soni Congregation and District Pastor of the Southern Church District of the North Eastern Diocese, has died. | On Tuesday 13th of March 2007, hundreds of NED members and friends took farewell to Reverend Sosthenes Kibanga who was murdered on Sunday 11th of March 2007.
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| Rev. Sosthenes Kibanga was shot by bandits on Sunday, 11th of March 2007, as he was travelling back to Lushoto from the installation service for the District Pastor in Mlalo, Rev. Gideon Ngotonyingi. | | Rev. Sosthenes Kibanga was buried on Tuesday 13th of March in his home village Bumbuli. Hundreds of people from within and outside the NED came to pay their last respect. Representatives of the ELCT and UEM participated.
| | At about 7.00 p.m. Rev. Kibanga together with a driver, his wife Rev. Joyce Kibanga and three other young men had to stop their car in the forest area close to Magamba. The road was blocked by a tree. Three bandits wearing masks and carrying guns ordered the driver to turn off the lights. Suddenly, the bandits fired their guns. Rev. Sosthenes Kibanga was sitting at the front of the car between the driver and his wife. He was hit by two bullets in the head and died immediately! The bandits forced the others out of the car and down on the ground. After taking all mobile phones and the little amount of money they could get, the bandits disappeared and are still at large. | |  | | The news of the murder was a huge shock for all of us in the NED. Rev. Sosthenes Kibanga has been working for the NED for 20 years as a pastor. Soon after his ordination in 1987, he and his wife began to serve Korogwe congregation until 1993 when he was appointed to be District Pastor in the Coastal Church District. In 2003, Rev. Sosthenes Kibanga was transferred to the Southern Church District where he served as District Pastor and Pastor in-charge of Soni Parish. With his calm and friendly character, he was loved and respected by all people whom he served faithfully. | | Leaders from other Christian denominations as well as Government officials were also present. Condolences were received from Bishops and Church leaders from different parts of the world. Good Shepherd congregation in the South Eastern Pennsylvania Synod of the ELCA has partnership with Soni congregation. The congregants of Good Shepherd gathered for a memorial service at the very hour that we were beginning the funeral service in Bumbuli.
| | Our thoughts and prayers are especially with Rev. Joyce Kibanga, our Director for Social Services and the three children Emi, Daudi and John. We admire the courage that the Spirit of God endows them with and for each day we can witness how they are enabled to move on, strengthened in Faith. | | In his sermon, Bishop Dr. Stephen Munga reminded us that for the short time we have on earth, we are called to be the Light of the World. | | Until we meet again… KWA HERI YA KUONANA! |
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Last Updated ( Monday, 03 March 2008 00:23 )
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