Karl and Jenny Teichert are serving the Lord as missionaries with OC Africa, in South Africa. They moved to Johannesburg in November, 1997 with their four children; Ann, Scott, Stephen and John. Karl serves as the Southern Africa Director of the Southern Africa Regional Team. Their vision is to see a healthy, Bible-based church established in every un-reached village and community in South Africa, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Zambia and beyond. Their strategy is to partner with key African church leaders to research, train, and mobilize the body of Christ to complete the Great Commission. They are striving to equip local leaders in Southern Africa to reach their nations for Christ and send missionaries into other countries as well.
March Letter ... Reaching the “Ghost People” of Southern Africa
Dear family and friends,
Who are these “Ghost People?” They represent the estimated 700,000 immigrants from the Peoples Republic of China. Many are living here illegally and cannot speak English very well. They live and work in isolated communities, out of touch with the typical South African. They are under constant discrimination and harassment by the local police. Many work long hours in Chinese-owned businesses for very little pay. With raising unemployment, they are viewed as a threat by others in their community.
Because of these challenges, these Chinese people remain hidden and difficult to reach with the gospel. Over the past number of years, many local African pastors have commented about the growing number of Chinese immigrants around them and expressed frustration in trying to connect with them. As a response to this growing need, the Chinese Outreach Network of Southern Africa (CONSA) was formed last year. Our OC Africa team has partnered with Overseas Missionary Fellowship, Operation Mobilisation, and several South African Chinese-speaking churches, missionaries and local churches to form this new mission initiative. We are humbled to be part of this growing mission movement that God has been developing over the past few years.
We have enjoyed getting to know the Chinese believers around us. In December, we were invited to participate in a Christmas celebration of seven Chinese-speaking churches by a South African family who served as missionaries in China for several years. We were the only non-Chinese couple in the gathering of nearly 300 people. We were blessed by beautiful singing, drama, preaching and delicious Chinese food. With the translation assistance of our friends, Karl even won a prize for giving the name of Christ’s birth city. We were touched by their gracious hospitality and passion for Christ!
Who are these “Ghost People?” They represent the estimated 700,000 immigrants from the Peoples Republic of China. Many are living here illegally and cannot speak English very well. They live and work in isolated communities, out of touch with the typical South African. They are under constant discrimination and harassment by the local police. Many work long hours in Chinese-owned businesses for very little pay. With raising unemployment, they are viewed as a threat by others in their community.
Because of these challenges, these Chinese people remain hidden and difficult to reach with the gospel. Over the past number of years, many local African pastors have commented about the growing number of Chinese immigrants around them and expressed frustration in trying to connect with them. As a response to this growing need, the Chinese Outreach Network of Southern Africa (CONSA) was formed last year. Our OC Africa team has partnered with Overseas Missionary Fellowship, Operation Mobilisation, and several South African Chinese-speaking churches, missionaries and local churches to form this new mission initiative. We are humbled to be part of this growing mission movement that God has been developing over the past few years.
We have enjoyed getting to know the Chinese believers around us. In December, we were invited to participate in a Christmas celebration of seven Chinese-speaking churches by a South African family who served as missionaries in China for several years. We were the only non-Chinese couple in the gathering of nearly 300 people. We were blessed by beautiful singing, drama, preaching and delicious Chinese food. With the translation assistance of our friends, Karl even won a prize for giving the name of Christ’s birth city. We were touched by their gracious hospitality and passion for Christ!
The vision of the CONSA is to inform and equip the body of Christ in Southern Africa to effectively reach the thousands of Chinese around us. The ultimate goal being the multiplication of disciple-making Chinese churches both here in Southern Africa and back in China. The initial strategy is to present one-day Chinese Outreach workshops to make South Africans aware of the need, provide basic Chinese cultural insights and suggested ways to build friendships with local Chinese people. Workshops are also being presented to better equip those who are called to work among the Chinese people both here and overseas. Two workshops were successfully presented last year and two more are planned in Johannesburg on March 9 and in Cape Town on March 16. The presenters are OMF Chinese missionaries from the U.K., Canada and the States. We hope to multiply these workshops in other cities around Southern Africa in the coming years.
Thank you for your partnership in the ministry. Please pray that many South Africans will be encouraged and equipped to reach out to the local Chinese people through the upcoming Chinese Outreach workshops. Also, pray that God would multiply more Chinese churches in Southern Africa and raise up more missionaries to the Chinese people. Lastly, please pray for God’s wisdom as we serve the Chinese Outreach Network.
Reaching the “Ghost People” for God’s glory
OC Africa is an interdenominational ministry committed to developing, equipping, and mobilizing church leaders to multiply healthy, Bible-based churches in every community in Southern Africa and the world. OC is a faith-based mission who depends on the Lord to provide committed, financial supporters and partners. The contributions from these individuals help generate ministry opportunities around the world, impact missionaries and their global work, and provide a means for the International Mobilization Center to function. CLICK HERE to learn how YOU can be a part of mobilizing church leaders around the world by donating to OC.
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