Tanzania, also called the United Republic of Tanzania is the largest country in East Africa with a Total area of over 900,000 square Kilometers and a population of 46.2 million people. It contains Africa's highest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro and the World’s second largest fresh water Lake Victoria. The country is divided into 30 regions: five on the semi-autonomous islands of Zanzibar and 25 on the mainland in the former Tanganyika. The head of state is President John Pombe Magufuli. The capital city of Tanzania is Dodoma. Dar es Salaam is the commercial capital. Tanzania's population consists of approximately 62% Christians, 35% Muslims and 3% followers of indigenous religions.

 THE BEGINING

The earliest known activity of the New Apostolic Church dates back to the year 1934. In March 1934 a short report with pictures was in the "Unsere Familie," when the late District Apostle Heinrich Schlaphoff stopped in Dar-es-salaam enroute from Germany to South Africa. We are not aware of any further activity until the year 1978 when two District Evangelists from Zambia journeyed to Dar es salaam to make an application with the Government to register the church as a religious organization; and at the same time, they testified to three men whom they invited to Zambia to be sealed by District Apostle Andrew Fernandez. The Church was formally registered in April, 1979.

In 1979, the responsibility for Tanzania was given to District Apostle Kraus, and he assigned it to Apostle Wilbert Vovak who made several trips there in 1979 and 1980. In 1981, District Evangelist Donald Kratt from U.S.A. and Shephered Adolf Eichsteller from Germany went to Tanzania and followed up the previously made contacts. They gathered the Brothers together and conducted Seminars. One of the first Administration Brothers was Zacharia Deuly, who had been sealed in Zambia, and he accompanied the two Brothers during their four trips in 1981. Few baptisms were performed but our heavenly Father seemed to arrange many encounters with men who accepted the testimony, and later developed into faithful Brothers who accepted many responsibilities.

In December 1981, District Evangelist Kratt and Shephered Eichsteller took six Tanzanian Brothers to Malindi in Kenya, where Apostle W. Vovak sealed five who were not formerly sealed, and ordained three as Priests and three as Deacons. Zachariah Deuly, Justin Mwegoha and Ambokile Mwakatwila received the Priest ministry while Thadeous Ngonyani and John Oguda were ordained as Deacons. These were the first local Administration Brothers for Tanzania.

In 1982, District Evangelist Kratt and Shephered Eichsteller made another four trips to Tanzania, and Apostle Vovak was able to seal 1,943 souls. He also ordained Mathias Nzarombi as a Priest and Justin Mwegoha as an Evangelist. They later became the first two Apostles for Tanzania.

The work in 1983 commenced in January with Seminars being held in various areas of the country where the work was now taking form and new areas opening up. In April, Apostle Samson Ogutu from Kenya was called upon to serve the Brethren, and 1,799 new souls were added into God's work. In August, Apostle W. Vovak sealed 2,501 in twelve divine services. To gain access to remote areas it was sometimes necessary to rent private planes and arrange ground transportation. In November of 1983, Apostle Simon Anokoli from Kenya also visited Tanzania, and conducted 32 divine services in thirteen days, and sealed a total of 2,463 souls. At the conclusion of this trip, two Tanzanian Brothers, Justin Mwegoha and Mathias Nzarombi were taken to Zurich, and ordained as Apostles on December 4, 1983. Now even the most remote areas could be served.

At the close of 1983, Tanzania had a membership of 9,462 souls, and 151 congregations. For all of this, no credit belongs to us, everything comes under the words of our late Chief Apostle Schmidt: "Everything is grace”. (Report by District Evangelist Donald Kratt: - 29^th December , 1983)

NEW APOSTOLIC CHURCH IN TANZANIA TODAY

The Overall leadership of the New Apostolic Church in Tanzania was placed under the District Apostle Joseph Opemba Ekhuya since 19^th April 2015. The Lead Apostles are the closest co‐workers of the District Apostle. They lead the church in Tanzania by bringing together all the Apostles in the country. Tanzania has 13 Apostles and 12 Bishops. Two of the Apostles are lead Apostles. The working area of a Lead Apostle consists of several Apostle working areas. Lead Apostle Zachariah Deuly is responsible for Eastern Tanzania and Sebastian Maneno for Western Tanzania. The total membership is approximately 219,791 and is served by 4,705 ministers in 1,827 congregations. Majority of the members are children and youth. There are vibrant youth and children choirs around the country.

COUNTRY OFFICE

The country office of the New Apostolic Church in Tanzania is located in Dar- es Salaam. The office  employees provide administrative services to the Apostles and Rectors of districts and congregations. The main tasks of the country office include:-

• Organization of special events and divine services
• Construction, monitoring and maintenance of church property
• Bookkeeping and controlling administration of membership data
• Coordination of church activities and public relations work