Reaching out to the Poorest of the Poor - p.6

South Africa

A Family Deal

Frank and Kate Christie

When asked about his family and how they feel about the foundation, Frank smiles and says Thembalitsha is a family deal. Frank and wife Kate have four children – Sibu, Francis, Grace and Stuart. “My wife has played a critical role (in setting up Thembalitsha). We have done this together. Our oldest son, Sibu, we met through Thembalitsha and he has been with us for nine years now.” Frank elaborates, “Our children are all aware that our witness as Christians is pointless if we are not impacting the communities in which we live. For them, ministering to your neighbor is how they express their Christianity.”

The bible says that one of the greatest commands is to love your neighbor as yourself. Thembalitsha is one example of this kind of love in action. “What impressed us the most about our visit was the passion of the staff, especially Pastor Frank Christie and Chris Hinrichson, the new Managing Director, and the impact they have on the various communities (despite) the limited budget they are working with,” says Eric Soon.

This passion and dedication is a remarkable testimony of what can happen when a life is transformed by the love of God. A vision can be turned into a ministry, and lives can be impacted for generations to come. Former backslidden police officers can become pastors and advocates for the poor, and a community once without hope can be given tsha ithemba.

Find out how you can help bring new hope by checking out Themba's website - www.thembalitsha.org.za.

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