ne of the key structural decisions made at the 2002 Annual Council was the reorganization of the African divisions. The restructure was precipitated by the dramatic church growth in Africa. The Council's action saw the creation of a third division based solely on the African continent-the East-Central African Division.

The creation of a new division also necessitates the election of division leaders and Pastor Geoffrey Mbwana (right), currently president of the Tanzania Union Mission, was chosen to head up the newly formed division.

Pastor Mbwana, 46, is a native Tanzanian. "I'm a pastor's kid," he says, "so I was born into the church and have stayed with it all my life." He has led the Tanzania Union for the past three years and before that he was the president of the North-east Tanzania Conference for eight years.

"I have two lovely daughters, 8 and 10 years old," Pastor Mbwana adds in talking about his life. "And I am married to a lovely wife who has been a great support to me."

As the world church's newest division president, he steps into leadership of what will be the largest division, including seven unions across 10 countries with a membership of more than 2.2 million. When receiving congratulations upon his election, Pastor Mbwana is circumspect. "Thank you," he responds. "We solicit your prayers. It's a major responsibility."

"I am still a union president-I am a division president-elect-but given that we have to get started on January 1, there is a lot that must be accomplished between now and then," he adds. "In terms of thinking, there is a big shift right now, given the magnitude of the work that awaits us. We have the union and we have to keep that going, and I am glad I have my fellow officers to take charge of that. I found myself taking much time in terms of thinking and planning with what is coming with the new division. So we have to get some things started as of now."

The East Central Africa Division will be based in Nairobi, Kenya. The General Conference identified a plot of land for the construction of the new offices.

"I imagine of the three newly reorganized divisions in Africa probably we have the greatest challenge," Pastor Mbwana comments, "because it is we who are starting afresh, with new offices. The need to bring together the unions that were in the other divisions will certainly need quite a bit of involvement."

"We come with our various backgrounds. Those of us who have been in the East Africa Division and the other unions that have been in the Africa-Indian Ocean Division, we now have to make the ECD-the East Central Division. We have to come up with policies to govern the division and it is quite a bit of a challenge as I see it. But with God on our side, I believe we are going to make it."

However, Pastor Mbwana sees the biggest challenges for the church in the new East Central Africa Division as those relating to growth. "The membership is growing very fast in the region, especially around the lake region," he reports. "Although we number above 2 million, really speaking that is still a young church because much of the leadership are recent converts. So nurturing these members to full Christian maturity is certainly going to be a real challenge. We hope by God's grace to face that and that we can lead the church into spiritual maturity."

Pastor Mbwana admits the call to serve the church in this new role came as a shock to him, and he sees a great personal challenge.

"I didn't expect it really," he reflects. "At first you tend to want to pull back and let somebody else do it. But having been called into positions of responsibility before, you spend moments with your Bible to learn how to react when God calls.

"At one time, I was very much reminded that when God calls you into positions of responsibility, He really means it. And when you pull back, it is kind of a disappointment. At times I find, like He did with Jonah, He might follow up on you," Pastor Mbwana says with a quiet laugh.

"The major thing is that you realize that God is looking for somebody, some people, to work with and I think that's a privilege," he continues with a more serious tone. "It's not true that I am fit for the responsibility but God is looking for a weak link-such as I-to work along side with Him to serve humanity. I also think it is an experience that is meant to mold me to what He wants me to become.

"Looking at the issues involved and the magnitude of the work, you come to realize there might be a few more sleepless nights and a little bit more traveling than I am used to-missing my kids a little bit. But a plus to it is the joy of service, especially for the Lord and the church. I am encouraged that whenever God calls you into a responsibility, He's ready to stand by your side."

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Nathan Brown of Townsville, Australia, is an editorial intern with the Adventist Review.