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An LCMS Missionary Journey

Equipping the Church in Tanzania

Teaching, writing, and walking alongside the people God is raising up to lead His church across East Africa.

Support Hannah Follow the journey
Hannah Potantus
with Hannah Potantus
LCMS Academic Support Specialist
Preparing to serve -- departing January 2027
The Journey ~ 7,900 miles
Parma, Ohio United States
Tanzania East Africa
The Mission

Serving the Tanzanian church as it raises up its own deaconesses, evangelists, and pastors.

1

Homeschool missionary children

Teaching and caring for the children of missionary families serving on the field, so their parents can pour into the work God has called them to.

2

Teach at the Bishop Makala Training Center

Leading writing classes at the seminary where women train as deaconesses and men study to become evangelists and pastors for the church in Tanzania.

3

Keep congregations connected

Writing articles that link U.S. churches to the work God is doing across Africa -- so the whole body can pray, give, and rejoice together.

Where in the world

From Parma, Ohio to Tanzania, East Africa

Tanzania, East Africa -- sent from Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Parma, Ohio. One church, sending one servant, across an ocean and a continent, to serve the growing church in Africa.

Tanzania
Latest Updates

Following the journey

Stories, prayer needs, and news from the road as Hannah prepares to go. Sample posts shown for layout.

July 2026

Yes, Now: How God Called Me to the Mission Field

The idea took root in 2021, but God's answer was "not yet" until the spring of 2025 turned it to "yes, now."

Read the story ->
June 2026

Why Tanzania? Meet the Bishop Makala Training Center

A look at the seminary where I will help build a bachelor's-level writing lab for future deaconesses, evangelists, and pastors.

Read the story ->
June 2026

Support Update: Getting Ready to Go

Before I head overseas in January, I am traveling and speaking at churches and schools -- here is how you can partner with me.

Read the story ->
Ways to Partner

Three ways to walk with Hannah

This calling is carried by a team. Here is how you can be part of the sending.

Give

Your monthly or one-time gift sends Hannah to the field and sustains the work at the training center in Tanzania.

Give a gift

Pray

Pray for open doors, safe travels, language and teaching, and for the students being formed to lead Christ's church in Africa.

Join in prayer

Subscribe

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Meet Hannah

The person behind the calling

Hannah Potantus
Cleveland, Ohio

Hannah Potantus

Hannah is from Cleveland, Ohio. She earned her M.A. in English from Case Western Reserve University, where she tutored in the writing center, and she has worked as an elementary school teacher and librarian in Lakewood, Ohio.

Now she is preparing to bring that love of teaching and writing to Tanzania -- serving missionary families and the students of the Bishop Makala Training Center.

Reading Writing Singing
Newsletters

Read the latest letters

Longer-form updates from Hannah, published as they are written.

June 2026 -- Introduction Letter

Hannah's first newsletter -- the story of the call and what lies ahead.
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