Revival in Musoma, Tanzania: Over 2,000 Gathered and 60 Adults & 150 Kids Said Yes to Jesus

Ashland Watson
Jul 11
6 min read

Last week, something unforgettable happened in Musoma, Tanzania. A one-week kids and sports outreach, led entirely by our amazing local leaders Vickie and Francis, brought together over 1,300 people, including hundreds of children, their families, and even leaders from local mosques. It was more than an event; it was a glimpse of the Kingdom. Here’s what made it so special.

A Village Gathered by the Joy of the Game

The week began with about 150 kids in the morning session. That number quickly doubled during the soccer event later that day. As the days passed, excitement grew, and more families started attending. By the final day of the outreach, over 1,300 people showed up, children, parents, and neighbors, all eager to celebrate what God was doing in their community.

“This is something very unique to the village.” – Francis Njogu

Musoma had never seen a gathering quite like this. It wasn’t just about the games, it was about joy, connection, and the kind of unity that only the Gospel can bring.

The Gospel Through Creativity and Joy

At the end of the game, the team performed a skit, a simple and powerful way to share the story of Jesus in a fun and creative format. It was a hit every single day.

“Jesus is being preached for sure, but in a creative, fun way that is very relatable and relational!” - Vicki Njogu

Children leaned in. Adults stayed to watch. And the message of hope and love reached hearts without pressure, only joy.

A Powerful Moment with a Local Muslim Sheikh

One of the most profound moments occurred at the end of a soccer event. A local Muslim sheikh was given the mic to speak. He was so touched by the event that he publicly shared his excitement and offered to invite two mosques he is connected to for future events.

Later, he privately shared with Francis:

“I’ve always felt alone doing my own thing among a tribe that is not my own. But here, I felt included. I felt accepted.”

It was a sacred, unexpected moment. A bridge was built that only love and humility could have formed.

Food, Fellowship, and So Much Fun

Kids weren’t just invited to play, they were welcomed, celebrated, and fed. The blessing of having a shared meal together was not taken lightly. The laughter, the giggles, the balloons, the snacks, it all added up to something so much bigger than a program. It was a reminder that every child deserves to be seen, valued, and loved. At the end of the event 150 kids made the commitment to give their lives to Jesus! Hallejuah! God is Good!

The Leaders Behind It All: Vickie & Francis Njogu

This outreach was envisioned, organized, and run by Mosaic’s Tanzanian leaders, Vickie and Francis Njogu. Together, they maintain contact with and encourage more than 36 churches throughout the Kilimanjaro region and beyond. From VBS to pastor training to community transformation, the Njogus are faithful, humble, and deeply passionate about reaching their country with the love of Jesus.

In a country where:

70% lack access to safe drinking water
Only 16% have electricity
Millions still battle the impact of poverty, witchcraft, and HIV/AIDS

…the local church is the most powerful, hope-filled presence in the community.

And leaders like Vickie and Francis are helping it shine brighter than ever.

A Sunday That Changed Everything

What began as a week of outreach culminated in a Sunday service that none of the locals, or the Mosaic team, will ever forget. This small village church normally holds about 25 adults and 20 children, but on this day it was overflowing with over 150 visiting adults, including soccer players and villagers, and 70 children attending the kids’ church.

One of the most moving moments came when Francis asked,

“How many of you are in church for the first time in your life?”Around 30 people raised their hands.

Even more powerful, nearly 60 people raised their hands to receive Jesus when Francis gave the invitation. Among those in attendance were village leaders, families, and a man known in the village as a witch doctor, a living reminder that no one is beyond the reach of God’s love.

“We just caught the whole village,” Vickie shared. “And we pray for strategies for next steps.”

A Week Funded by Faith... and You

What happened in Musoma was nothing short of miraculous: Over 1,300 people gathered. A Muslim sheikh built a bridge of peace. A man known as a witch doctor raised his hand in a church service. Nearly 60 people chose to follow Jesus. And it was all led by local Tanzanian leaders who understand their community best.

Every soccer ball, every snack, every skit, every story, it was all funded primarily by your generosity as well as another organization.

This wasn’t a mission trip. It was a locally-led movement. And your giving made it possible.

Thank you for believing in what God is doing in Musoma, Tanzania. The seeds you helped plant are already growing. And we can’t wait to see what God does next.

Recap: A Week of Breakthrough in Musoma, Tanzania

What unfolded in Musoma, Tanzania, last week was not just a successful outreach; it was a spiritual breakthrough on every level. Here’s a detailed recap based entirely on the reflections and numbers shared by local Mosaic leader Francis Njogu:

Attendance & Impact

Tuesday–Friday: Approximately 1,000 people gathered each night for the evening soccer outreach.
Saturday: The soccer finals drew over 2,000 attendees, double the original estimate. The crowd was made up of children, parents, and entire families who stayed long after the games ended.
Sunday Church Service:
- Normally: 25 adults and 20 children
- This week: 150+ visiting adults and 70 children
- 30 people raised their hands when asked if this was their first time in church
- Nearly 60 people raised their hands to receive Jesus, including a known witch doctor

Sports as a Bridge

The soccer tournament created deep joy and drew the community together. People didn’t just come to play, they came to stay.
Skits and preaching followed each match, and many chose to remain afterward to listen.
Importantly, not everyone stayed, and the team respected that.

The Local Church Was Elevated

The outreach was hosted by a female local pastor who has faced great challenges.
After the week:
- She was greatly honored and loved by her village.
- She built a new relationship with a local Muslim sheikh, which had never existed before.
- She plans to lead the next outreach on her own, using the soccer balls the Mosaic team left behind.
- The next event will be low budget but high impact, thanks to the inspiration and tools this outreach provided.

Interfaith Reconciliation

A Muslim sheikh was invited to speak publicly during the event.
He was so moved by the atmosphere of love and inclusion that he offered to bring members of two mosques to future events.
Privately, he told Francis:
“I’ve always felt alone doing my own thing among a tribe that is not my own. But here, I felt included. I felt accepted.”
This moment created a new and historic bridge between Muslim and Christian leaders in the region.

Deep Spiritual Challenges in Butiama

Francis shared a sobering look into the ongoing spiritual and social struggles of this community:

Witchcraft is widely practiced, even among some in the church.
Moral challenges include absentee fathers, infidelity, and many women left to raise children alone.
Teen pregnancies and early parenting are common.
Most people farm just enough to survive.
Others work in unsustainable jobs like charcoal-making or mining, industries that often benefit outsiders, not the villagers.

“The community has been very broken. But now there’s a new openness,” Francis shared.

The Fruit... and What’s Next

The Gospel was heard and seen.
The local pastor was strengthened and elevated.
The Muslim-Christian divide was bridged.
New leaders are rising up.
And most importantly, lives were changed, nearly 60 Adults and 150 kids are now walking with Jesus, including those who were far from hope.

Want to Support More Work Like This?

You can be part of the ongoing transformation in Tanzania by joining The Circle, Mosaic’s monthly giving community.

The Circle is comprised of people just like you, passionate, everyday believers who want their lives and legacies to have a global impact. When you join, you’ll receive regular updates and stories showing exactly how your generosity is changing lives on the ground.

To support Tanzania specifically, just click to join The Circle and select “Tanzania” from the dropdown menu on the giving form.

No amount is too small. Every gift makes a difference. We’re in this together, and together, we are building the Kingdom in Musoma Tanzania and beyond.