Rev. Chuck and Karen Tessaro

Meet the Missionary

Rev. Chuck and Karen Tessaro first set foot in Nigeria, where there are over 500 different language groups, in 1985. They serve with multiple local translation teams including the Old Testament teams for the Ikwerre, Yala, Kukele, and Gokana languages. These teams also promote literacy and serve in their local community as teachers and helpers.

The Tessaros met and married at Concordia College in Ann Arbor, MI. By the time Chuck had graduated from Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana, their family had grown to four. Called to serve on a translation team in Nigeria, the Tessaros spent a year at the Summer Institute of Linguistics in Texas before heading for Africa.

Since finishing the Eleme New Testament in 2002 and assisting with the consultant checking the Ikwerre New Testament in 2010, Chuck and Karen have been working with various Old Testament translation teams. Chuck has also been teaching in the Linguistics and Bible Translation Department in the Theological College of Northern Nigeria and Karen has been busy leading and participating in various Bible study groups.