A Child Called to Africa
Reinhard Bonnke, born on April 19, 1940, in Königsberg, East Prussia, found himself amidst the chaos of World War II as his family fled to Denmark. Despite the upheaval, a profound encounter awaited him. At just nine years old, Reinhard's mother spoke to him about sin, leading him to give his life to Jesus. A year later, he felt a strong calling to be a missionary in Africa, an impression that was sealed by a baptism in the Holy Spirit. As Bonnke reflected, 'The Holy Spirit spoke to my heart and said, "One day you will preach the gospel in Africa."'
With this divine mandate, Bonnke attended The Bible College of Wales, learning to live by faith, inspired by Samuel Rees Howells. He was encouraged further by George Jeffreys, a key figure in his life. Following his studies, Bonnke pastored in Germany before heading to Lesotho in 1967, where his early ministry faced discouragement with few conversions. Yet, a recurring vision of Africa washed in the blood of Jesus and the words 'Africa Shall Be Saved' transformed his approach.
In 1974, Bonnke founded Christ for All Nations (CfaN), and by 1975, he was holding his first crusade in Gaborone, Botswana. Although the initial attendance was small, it rapidly grew. By 1984, Bonnke had designed the world's largest mobile tent, seating 34,000. Even when a tornado destroyed this tent in Cape Town, South Africa, in 1985, God’s work continued in the open air with 70,000 attendees.
CfaN has since claimed over 79 million recorded conversions. Bonnke's largest meeting was in Lagos, Nigeria, in November 2000, attended by over 1.6 million people. His impact extended beyond numbers; Bonnke trained church leaders through Fire Conferences and distributed millions of Gospel messages. As he proclaimed, 'Africa shall be saved!' and 'You will plunder hell.'
Reinhard Bonnke's legacy is vast. Even amidst challenges like apartheid and riots, he remained steadfast. He appointed Daniel Kolenda as his successor in 2009 and continued to minister until his passing in 2019. Bonnke's life is a testament to Jesus' power to transform and save, leaving a legacy of faith and dedication.
