Africa Shall Be Saved
Born on April 19, 1940, in Königsberg, East Prussia, Reinhard Bonnke was a man compelled by a vision. From the tender age of 10, he sensed a divine call to Africa, a continent he would come to love deeply. As he once declared, 'Night after night, I saw the entire African continent, washed in the blood of Jesus, country after country.' This vision became a driving force in his life.
Bonnke began his ministry in Africa in 1967, starting humbly in Lesotho. Despite early challenges and preaching to small, unresponsive groups, he persevered. His ministry, Christ for All Nations (CFAN), was founded in 1974 after a recurring dream of 'a blood-washed Africa.' The dream was a powerful motivator, leading him to embrace mass evangelism.
In 1984, Bonnke took a bold step, commissioning a tent that could seat 34,000 people. However, when a storm destroyed this tent, he transitioned to open-air crusades. These gatherings attracted hundreds of thousands, and occasionally over a million attendees. One such event was the Lagos Millennium Crusade in November 2000, where over 1.6 million people gathered.
Reinhard Bonnke's ministry was marked by reported miracles and profound faith. 'Africa shall be saved!' he proclaimed with unwavering confidence. His conviction was not just in words but in the lives transformed by the message of Jesus. As he often emphasized, 'We are not helping people to get God right, but to get right with God. The Holy Spirit alone opens hearts and minds.'
Bonnke's final international crusade took place in Lagos, Nigeria, in 2017, where he continued to urge individuals towards forgiveness and salvation. 'You can have forgiveness for your biggest sin,' he preached, underscoring the boundless grace available through Jesus.
Reinhard Bonnke passed away on December 7, 2019, leaving behind a legacy that includes over 79 million documented decisions for Christ. His life story is a testament to what can happen when one follows a divine call with fervor and faith. Jesus was at the heart of his mission, and through Bonnke's obedience, millions experienced the transformative power of God's love.
