Notable Collaborations and Awards
1957 – Rosemary begins working with church leaders in Tanzania
From the very beginning, Rosemary believed that ministry in Africa should be done alongside the church, not apart from it. One of her earliest friendships and partnerships was with Stefano Moshi of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania.
Throughout her life, Rosemary made it a priority to meet with pastors, bishops, and church leaders whenever she traveled to Africa. She listened, sought their advice, and worked to ensure that Rafiki’s ministry strengthened the local church rather than operating independently from it.
What began with one church partnership has grown into a network of more than thirty church partners across Africa today. These partnerships continue to strengthen the work of Rafiki today.
Rosemary and Dr. Bob with Bishop Erasto Kweka, Evangelical Lutheran Church Tanzania
Signing for the land in Tanzania with Lutheran church officials
With Bishop Dr. Frederick Shoo, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania
Rosemary with officials from Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN), Nigeria
Rosemary with Bishop Paul Fynn of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ghana
Rosemary with Moderator Julis Mwamba, Presbyterian Church of East Africa
Rosemary, Dr. Bob, and Bishop Walter Obare, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kenya
Dedicating the Land in Liberia with Bishop Edward Wea Neufville of the Episcopal Church Liberia
Meeting with church officials in Zambia
Meetings with churches in Uganda
Rosemary and Dr. Bob with Levi Nyondo, General Secretary of the Livingstonia Synod, Church of Central Africa Presbyterian
Rosemary Jensen speaking at the Olivet Nazarene University event for the Maggie Slone Crawford Award
Rosemary receiving her honorary doctorate
Rosemary with the first ladies from Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda (Lucy Kibaki, Janet Museveni, and Jeannette Kagame) at the 2003 OAFLA Conference
1978 – International Council on Biblical Inerrancy (ICBI)
Rosemary participated in the International Council on Biblical Inerrancy, which gathered in Chicago to draft and sign the Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy. The statement was created to define and defend the doctrine of biblical inerrancy, stating that Scripture is “infallible” and “inerrant” in all that it affirms. She and her husband Bob were two of the 334 signers of the Chicago Statement.
1996 – Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals Founding Member
Rosemary was a founding member of the council for the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals. Leaders gathered in Cambridge to draft what became the Cambridge Declaration. Signatories included R.C. Sproul, David F. Wells, and Michael Horton.
2000 – Maggie Sloan Crawford Award, Olivet Nazarene University
Rosemary was presented with the Maggie Sloan Crawford Award—a prestigious honor presented by Olivet Nazarene University to outstanding women who exemplify:
high Christian ideals in their personal and professional lives
a strong commitment to service
excellence in their respective fields, serving as role models for young women
The award is named in honor of Maggie Sloan Crawford, the first graduate of Olivet Nazarene University. It was established by her four sons as a lasting tribute to her legacy.
2002–2003 – OAFLA and African First Ladies
OAFLA was formed as a coalition of African First Ladies advocating for women and children affected by HIV/AIDS. In 2003, Lucy Kibaki launched the Kenya chapter in Nairobi, joined by leaders including Jeannette Kagame and Maureen Mwanawasa. Rosemary was involved in the early years of OAFLA.
2003 – Honorary doctorate from Concordia University in Irvine, California
Rosemary was given an honorary degree to recognize her extensive work in international missions and her leadership in global Bible education.