OUR FOUNDERS

Rich and Michelle Franzen, who have more than 25 years of missions experience, launched Impact Africa in 2004. Their hearts burned with a passion to help ease the suffering of the African continent, where 68% of the worlds HIV/AIDs population resides. Over the years, the Franzens have raised a multifaceted ministry focused on communities living in squatter camps on the periphery of Johannesburg, South Africa’s largest city.

Since Impact Africa’s conception, fives areas of focus have emerged: Impact Kids Preschool, The Impact Baby Rescue, Impact Mission Adventures, Impact Students, and the Missions Experience Program. These different branches of Impact Africa were all created to help those in the poorest communities and address South Africa’s most devastating issues.

“Being an intern at Impact Africa was the greatest decision I've ever made. Before I came here, I was loving and serving Jesus the best I knew how, but it still felt like I was living in black and white. Now, I finally feel like I'm seeing in color. Learning how to share my faith and embracing the Great Commission has made me come alive in a way I've never felt before.”

- Sarah Miller, class of 2016

“I have been learning so much about God’s heart for His people all around the world and how there is such an urgency to share the Gospel with these people who don’t know.”

- Sarah Tapp, Class of 2012

“The Lord has used Impact ME to set my feet on solid ground, not only missionally, but also theologically.”

- Ellie Jo Wedell, Class of 2014