The Church in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania recently organized eight new branches in the city, thereby doubling the number of branches from eight to 16. This marks one of the largest numbers of new congregations organized in a city in a single event in Church history. At least one of these new branches (Pugu) previously operated as a member group. Recently returned full-time missionaries who served in the Tanzania Dar Es Salaam Mission report that the mission has placed an emphasis on the organization of member groups in lesser-reached urban areas in cities, and that there has been a preference to organize new branches to improve the accessibility of the Church to the urban population rather than organize a stake in Dar Es Salaam as soon as possible. The creation of a second district in Dar Es Salaam appears imminent given there are 16 branches in a single district. Dar Es Salaam is one of the most populous urban agglomerations in Sub-Saharan Africa, with an estimated 6.75 million people as of early 2022.
This rapid expansions of the Church in Dar Es Salaam is undoubtedly due to the organization of the Tanzania Dar Es Salaam Mission - the first mission ever created in the country - which was created in 2020 from a division of the Kenya Nairobi Mission. The new mission has channeled greater mission resources and oversight into the Church's missionary and outreach expansion efforts. Recently, a member group was established in the city of Dodoma, the first branch was created in Moshi, and two new branches were organized in Arusha. There are several additional cities with isolated members that may have member groups organized soon. Furthermore, the Church also officially transitioned from English to Swahili as the language used in church services and proselytism several years ago. These developments have resulted in an acceleration of membership growth since 2019 as there was a 28.8% increase in membership between year-end 2019 and year-end 2021. Nevertheless, Church membership in Tanzania remains extremely small (2,309 members as of year-end 2021), and the Church has historically experienced slow growth since its initial establishment approximately 30 years ago.
Great News. It really makes a difference when there is a mission president directing missionaries who are there permanently, learning the language and culture, rather than being assigned from the Kenya Mission. They obviously implemented a successful church planting plan in the city, resulting in outcomes much different than the last 30 years. I am hoping there are three or four districts before any stakes are created. I'm sure the new Africa East Area is also making a difference.
ReplyDeleteIt will be interesting to see if similar results occur in the Rwanda/Burundi Mission one or two years from now. Those countries appear to have strong economies and growth potentials. I was hoping that a larger portion of the DRC would be included in the mission. Language and logistics may have been a barrier to that. I guess that just means more resources will be allocated closer to the mission headquarters.
The Philippines Newsroom reported about the new branch in one of the six administrative areas in the Philippines that doesn't have a church presence. As usual, the area presidency approved the group after a few, but significant amount of members moved to the island. As this blog has pointed out in the past, it is rare that the church expands to new areas in established countries without a members incidentally relocating to the area. It makes me wonder if the other provinces have the potential to have member groups. Some of them have Islamic majority population.
https://www.thechurchnews.com/global/2022-07-14/philippines-chapel-dedication-whats-the-shortest-distance-between-two-meetinghouses-cebu-philippines-50-feet-261420
Maybe Tanzania has a more promising future than Kenya. It seems that they have more of a penchant for growth for the Kingdom of God than its neighbor. I could be wrong. I have gathered some anecdotal evidence of more interest there.
ReplyDeleteIn order of power countries for the Church in Africa, which usually means Sub-Saharan Africa, although the Sahel has shown some progress, I think of it in this order:
1. Nigeria. Makes sense, huge population and many Christians.
2. Dem. Rep. of Congo. Also very large population. More violence in regions than the above, but both have some gang/terrorist problems.
3. Ghana.
4. Cote d'Ivoire.
5. South Africa.
5. Sierra Leone.
6. Kenya.
7. Liberia.
8. Uganda.
9. Tanzania.
10. Zimbabwe.
I see Tanzania as having better growth potential than many.
Angola has huge potential. I left out Mozambique, which should maybe go before some of the above...
Great to see the growth.
I really appreciate your updates whenever they come! Not only is it interesting to see where the church is growing and contracting, it also serves as a great reminder to all of us to share the gospel!
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