Pentecostal Missionary Minute

Filed in Missionaries, News, UPCI on August 21, 2012 with no comments

Ted and Patricia Grosbach
Region(s): Africa
Field(s): South Africa
www.globalmissions.com/grosbach

Republic of South Africa
Population: 48,810,427
Area: 93,066 sq. mi.
Capital: Pretoria (administrative capital), Cape Town (legislative capital), Bloemfontein (judicial capital)
Languages: IsiZulu (official) 23.82%, IsiXhosa (official) 17.64%, Afrikaans (official) 13.35%, Sepedi (offcial) 9.39%, English (official) 8.2%, Setswana (official) 8.2%, Sesotho (official) 7.93%, Xitsonga (official) 4.44%, siSwati (official) 2.66%, Tshivenda (official) 2.28%, isiNdebele (official) 1.59%, other 0.5% (2001 census)
Religions: Protestant 36.6% (Zionist Christian 11.1%, Pentecostal/Charismatic 8.2%, Methodist 6.8%, Dutch Reformed 6.7%, Anglican 3.8%), Catholic 7.1%, Muslim 1.5%, other Christian 36%, other 2.3%, unspecified 1.4%, none 15.1% (2001 census)

Dutch traders landed at the southern tip of modern day South Africa in 1652 and established a stopover point on the spice route between the Netherlands and the Far East, founding the city of Cape Town. After the British seized the Cape of Good Hope area in 1806, many of the Dutch settlers (the Boers) trekked north to found their own republics. The discovery of diamonds (1867) and gold (1886) spurred wealth and immigration and intensified the subjugation of the native inhabitants. The Boers resisted British encroachments but were defeated in the Boer War (1899-1902); however, the British and the Afrikaners, as the Boers became known, ruled together beginning in 1910 under the Union of South Africa, which became a republic in 1961 after a whites-only referendum. In 1948, the National Party was voted into power and instituted a policy of apartheid – the separate development of the races – which favored the white minority at the expense of the black majority. The African National Congress (ANC) led the opposition to apartheid and many top ANC leaders, such as Nelson MANDELA, spent decades in South Africa’s prisons. Internal protests and insurgency, as well as boycotts by some Western nations and institutions, led to the regime’s eventual willingness to negotiate a peaceful transition to majority rule. The first multi-racial elections in 1994 brought an end to apartheid and ushered in majority rule under an ANC-led government. South Africa since then has struggled to address apartheid-era imbalances in decent housing, education, and health care. ANC infighting, which has grown in recent years, came to a head in September 2008 when President Thabo MBEKI resigned, and Kgalema MOTLANTHE, the party’s General-Secretary, succeeded him as interim president. Jacob ZUMA became president after the ANC won general elections in April 2009. In January 2011, South Africa assumed a nonpermanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2011-12 term.

Missionary Bio:

Since 1984, they have worked in Africa, starting their missionary journey in Malawi where they served as AIM furlough replacements for nearly two years. Ted supervised all the work in the country, as well as serving as Missionary Pastor for the headquarters church in Blantyre. During their stay in Malawi, Ted made a trip into the Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire). While visiting some church contacts there, the Lord gave Ted a great burden for this vast and unreached nation of over 60 million. In 1985 they were appointed as missionaries to Zambia and Zaire. After finishing their time in Malawi they arrived in Zambia in 1987. There were many obstacles registering the church in Zaire, therefore, they resided in Zambia. While living and actively ministering in Zambia, Brother Grosbach made frequent visits to Zaire. Zambia proved to be a wonderful experience. Ted served as missionary superintendent (alternately with Melvin Thacker), taught in the Bible College, established Home Groups throughout the country, and trained national leaders at all levels. It was while in Zambia that they began their aviation ministry, Wings Over Africa. They used the airplane to effectively reach remote areas, for training in leadership development, church growth, and Home Group Ministry. Their time in Zambia was very fruitful as they saw the church grew from around 1,000 nationwide to over 9,000 constituents. In one crusade alone, they were privileged to see 2,152 receive the Holy Ghost. After twelve tremendous years in Zambia they took up residence in Botswana in the year 2000. They were there two years while Ted rewrote the church constitution and helped resolve some problems in the national work. Upon completion of their mission in Botswana, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s doors finally opened for the United Pentecostal Church International. A missionary calling that endured 17 years finally reached its destination allowing them to obtain visas and register the church in the DRC formerly Zaire. They took up residence in Democratic Republic of Congo in 2002. Though the country was and is presently war-torn and in financial ruins, the church is thriving. They utilized the Wings Over Africa Cessna 185 to access this vast nation that has very little road infrastructure. In addition to evangelizing and teaching, they also aided mission hospitals by delivering medicines and doctors into the interior.

As of 2012 there are 12,000 constituents and 137 churches and 47 preaching points. Currently there is a 20 person motorized passenger dug-out canoe (made by pygmies) that cruises the Congo River establishing churches and preaching points. The GATS Bible College Program is currently active in 7 provinces. In August of 2010 at one provincial conference there were over 2,000 in attendance. 91 people received the Holy Ghost and 80 were baptized. The national church administration is operating very effectively in coordinating the revival in their nation. In 2007 they took up residence in Botswana to once again aid the national leaders in reestablishing the foundation of the work. The GATS Bible College Program is currently operating in Gaborone with plans of moving the program to other cities. Ted serves as the Area Coordinator for the South/Central Region of Africa. These nations include: Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe. As an Area Coordinator, Brother Grosbach is involved in leadership development in the South/ Central Region and assisting National leaders and Missionaries whenever called upon. He has also been involved in Leadership Development throughout various parts of Africa. Every year he writes new books to aid in the development of pastors throughout Africa. Ted currently serves as the UPCI Missionary Advisor to South Africa, superintendent to DRCongo and serves on the National Board in Namibia and Botswana. Together Ted and Patricia work to help national leaders develop their full potential in God’s work and their ministry. Patricia has applied herself to training the wives of ministers, setting up the National Ladies work in several countries. She is actively involved in Women’s Ministry. She is involved in compiling, writing and distributing various types of training and counseling materials to both ministers and their wives.