“Christ will bring Tanzania to God!”
For CHRIST also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to GOD. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.(1 Peter 3:18,NIV)
》 Country Profile
Continent | Africa
Population | 62.1 million
Area | 947,300㎢, Located on the coast of the Indian Ocean in eastern Africa.
Capital City | Dodoma (legislative capital, 260,000 people), Dar es Salaam (administrative capital, 7.4 million people)
People Groups | Total 157 groups, Sukuma 16.7%, Gogo 4.3%, Haya 3.8%, Ha 3.2%, Makonde 3%, Nyamwezi 2.9%, Nyakyusa 2.4%, Hehe 2.3%
Unreached People Groups | 29 (9.8% of the population)
Official Language(s) | Swahili, English
Total Languages | 143
Bible Translations | Completed 42, New Testament 36, Partial 25
Religion | Christianity 51.1% (16% Protestant, 28% Catholic), Islam 29.7%, Ethnic religions 17.2% Evangelical 11% (6.83 million people)
》 About Tanzania
Tanzania’s history goes back to the early 16th century when Portugal occupied parts of mainland East Africa and the island of Zanzibar. Arab traders also used Zanzibar as a base for the slave trade. After World War I, Britain took over as the colonial power. Tanganyika (mainland) gained independence in 1961, followed by Zanzibar in 1963. The next year, the two countries united to form the Republic of Tanzania—named by combining Tanganyika and Zanzibar. In 1967, the government adopted socialism, nationalizing major industries. But when the economy struggled, more practical policies were introduced in the late 1970s. By the mid-1980s, Tanzania began shifting toward a market economy, encouraging private sector growth. In 1992, a multi-party democracy was established. Since independence, Tanzania has remained one of the more stable countries in East Africa. John Magufuli was re-elected president in 2020, but after his sudden death in 2021, Vice President Samia Suluhu Hassan became the country’s first female president.
Though Tanzania remains one of the poorest countries in terms of income per person, it has maintained an impressive average annual growth rate of 7%. The country is rich in natural resources, including minerals and tourist attractions. Support from the World Bank, IMF, and donor countries has helped improve infrastructure, especially in telecommunications, banking, and construction. Gold makes up about 35% of exports, though it accounts for less than a quarter of GDP. Agriculture still dominates the economy, employing around 65% of the population. All land in Tanzania is state-owned, with the government offering leases of up to 99 years. Main exports include gold, tobacco, ores, coffee, tea, and spices. Major imports include electronics, petroleum, machinery, vehicles, and plastics.
Tanzania’s GDP per capita is approximately $1,120.
》 Scripture Focus
| 1 Peter 3:11–12, 15–18(NIV) 11 They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it. 12 For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the LORD is against those who do evil. 15 But in your hearts revere CHRIST as LORD. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in CHRIST may be ashamed of their slander. 17 For it is better, if it is GOD’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. 18 For CHRIST also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to GOD. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. |
》 Prayer Points
1. There are still around 40,000 towns and villages in Tanzania without a single church. Indigenous mission organizations such as the Horn of Africa Mission and Christian Mission Fellowship are training and sending out local believers as church planters. Hundreds of missionaries have already been commissioned. Let us pray that these indigenous missionaries, who have willingly answered God’s call, will be firmly grounded in the gospel and empowered to plant churches in the places where God has sent them.
2. Many Tanzanians believe that “God is one,” a belief that often blends into religious pluralism, the idea that the gods of various religions are essentially the same. This makes Tanzanian missions especially challenging, as traditional beliefs are often mixed with the gospel. It is crucial to raise up pastors with strong evangelical theology, a heart for salvation, and wise pastoral leadership to proclaim the true message of the cross. Let us pray that many faithful workers of Christ will rise up in Tanzania, boldly proclaiming the reason for our hope, making Christ Lord in their hearts, and raising up disciples who follow the one true way, Jesus Christ.
3. A human trafficking network has been smuggling disabled children from Tanzania into Kenya. According to BBC reports, traffickers deceive parents with promises of a better life, only to exploit the children by forcing them to beg on the streets from early morning. These children are cut off from their families and unable to escape. Let us pray that both the Tanzanian and Kenyan governments will take united and urgent action, conducting thorough investigations and enforcing strict punishments to end this evil. Only the gospel can restore a good conscience. Let us pray that those caught in darkness will be exposed to the light of truth, turn from evil, and seek what is good. May this land be filled with people who are led to God through Jesus Christ who died for our sins and receive His salvation.
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