Trinity Lutheran Church in Kenmare, North Dakota has an interesting story that crosses oceans and unites people from all over the world. The link between Denmark, Kenmare, and Adamawa State in Nigeria was forged partly because of Jens Dixen.

Born in 1958, Jens Dixen was Danish and lived in the very southern part of Denmark. In 1864, Denmark suffered great losses during the Prussian War. Like most Danes, Jens was sad and dreamt of a different life. In his twenties, he traveled to Copenhagen to board a ship bound for the United States. Though he first settled in Bangor, Wisconsin, Jens later moved to Kenmare, North Dakota where he would found and construct Trinity Lutheran Church, as well as a Danish high school.

Mogens Uhreholt was an acquaintance of Dixen. When he heard he was founding a Danish community in North Dakota, he traveled to join him. As it turns out, Mogens did not settle in Kenmare, but chose to continue west to Westby. The two would remain close and both would work tirelessly to ensure missionaries were stationed around the world. In fact, Jens Dixen would provide money to found the Danish branch of the Sudan United Mission in 1911. Just over a year later, three missionaries were sent to Nigeria, including Mogens Uhreholt, who would form the Lutheran Church of Nigeria. The church in Nigeria holds Trinity Lutheran Church in high regard and considers it part of its roots to Christianity. The Lutheran Church of Nigeria is said to have between 2.5 and 3 million members. Even though they are separated by an ocean, these churches have historical connections and love and respect for one another.