5 Vision for the future has rapidly developed during the 1990s with national conferences focusing on reaching the least evangelized

a) Excellent research on Tanzania's peoples through Pioneer Bible Translators and others has shown the need

b) National congresses have been used of God to challenge the churches to work together and also send out missionaries

c) The AIC (daughter church of AIM) has set the goal of doubling their church population in the decade before their centenary year, 2008

6 Ministry among young people has been particularly encouraging, but they face challenges of low employment prospects and increasing exposure to Western influences

a) Schools are obliged to provide religious education, but there are 53 schools for every qualified RE teacher

b) Scripture Union has had a major impact, but leadership and vision is the need

c) TAFES(IFES) groups in universities and colleges are large and evangelistic

7 The unfinished task in Tanzania

a) Zanzibar which is famous for its cloves, but infamous as an Arab base for its centuries-long African slave trade

b) The Muslim peoples of the coastal regions live under the curse of the historic slave trade

c) The Inland peoples yet to be effectively reached:

d) The peoples on the Mozambique border

e) The South Asian community speaks a range of Indian languages,

8 Missionaries continue to play a vital role with a wide range of ministries in outreach, church support, training and specialist ministries

9 Christian support ministries:

a) Bible translation is now being tackled in earnest

b) Christian literature is vital for an increasingly literate nation

c) Missionary flying is an essential service ministry

d) Christian radio has greatly expanded

e) The JESUS film is being widely used in 15 languages

f) GRN have recordings in 82 languages

Politics

Tanganyika gained independence from Britain in 1961, Zanzibar in 1963.

Religion

There is religious freedom, and equal rights and opportunities for both Muslims and Christians to worship and propagate their faiths.

Churches in Tanzania

Missionaries from Tanzania

232 in 21 agencies, mainly within country.

Missionaries to Tanzania

1,272 in 110 agencies

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Geography

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Area 945,037 sq.km. Comprising mainland Tanganyika and the offshore islands of Zanzibar and Pemba (2,460 sq.km.).

Population (2000) 33,517,014 +2.29%AGR

Capital Dar-es-Salaam 3,000,000.

Peoples

Bantu peoples 92.4%; Nilotic 2.9%; Cushitic 2%; Khoisan 0.4%; Other 2.3%.

Literacy 68%. Official languages Swahili, English; 2% speak only Swahili and no local African language. All languages 135. Languages with Scriptures 17Bi 17NT 15por 10w.i.p.

Economy

Agricultural subsistence economy yet with much potential for development. HDI 0.421; 156^th/174. Public debt 92% of GNP. Income/person $210 (0.7% of USA).

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