Related articles and links |  1 of 4

A tired but passionate Reinhard Bonnke delivered his final message Sunday night to 1.6 million Africans at the conclusion of his six-day crusade in Lagos, Nigeria—an event that stands as one of the largest gospel gatherings recorded in modern times.

German evangelist Bonnke preached a fervent yet simple message to the hundreds of thousands of people who stood jam-packed on an 80-acre open field just outside of Nigeria's commercial capital city. Some has arrived at the sight early in the morning in order to stand near the front of the platform. Others said they spent the night on the grounds.

"I am rejoicing because of a rich, rich harvest of souls," Bonnke told Christianity Today last night. Although decision cards are still being counted, the evangelist predicts that well over a million people responded to the call of salvation during the week-long meeting.

Attendance grew throughout the crusade from half a million on Tuesday night to over one and a half million on Sunday evening. According to Bonnke's organization, Christ for All Nations (CFAN), total attendance for the week reached nearly 6 million. Many returned night after night to hear Bonnke speak.

Crediting Billy Graham for showing him that anything is possible with God, Bonnke says that although the crusade's magnitude has overwhelmed him, he expected a great thing to happen. "We had reason to believe we would see a new dimension here in Lagos. I believe we will see even greater things," he said.

Bonnke's vision for Africa began when he was a young missionary serving in Lesotho, South Africa. He often shares of a strong burden that God gave him in those early years to see an "entire continent washed in the blood of Jesus." Bonnke's crusades have grown tremendously lately.

In October 1999 in Benin City, Nigeria, for example, so many came to the first night of his crusade that over a dozen people were killed in a stampede as they tried to exit the field. Security issues and maintenance of the large crowds were closely monitored this week.

Peter van den Berg, vice president of CFAN, said that in 26 years of holding crusades, the Lagos meeting was a monumental event for his team. "This week has been historic—for our own ministry and for God's kingdom," he said.

Ground control
As the numbers swelled toward the crusade's end, so did the intensity of the meetings. After a Saturday morning message, based on the baptism of the Holy Spirit, 80,000 church leaders at the National Stadium grew so out of control that Bonnke's security guards had difficulty directing him offstage.

Hundreds of people rushed to try to touch the evangelist, hoping he would give them power or anointing.

"They want to touch him just like the crowds used to touch Jesus," said Paul Landry, a marketing consultant for CFAN's North American office. "In modern society, it would be like people trying to touch a rock star."

"It's because of the popularity of today's program," explained security guard Austin Omoike. "They need a touch of power. They need to get more from him." Monday Ojo, another bodyguard, said Bonnke himself was affected by the message. "The anointing was on him so much that he was unstable," he said.

Sunday night Bonnke delivered a sermon on the first chapters of Acts—when the apostles received the Holy Spirit. He then told the audience: "Jesus is here with all the fire you will ever need! Raise your voices! Receive the Holy Spirit now!" Thousands in the crowd began wailing, screaming, and crying. Frantically waving their hands in the air, many begged loudly for anointing. Bonnke gave a similar message on Saturday night to 1.3 million people on the crusade ground. Building momentum with the audience, the evangelist instructed the crowd to begin shouting "Alleluia!" until the Holy Spirit entered their bodies. "You are going to speak in new tongues—a language you have never learned," he told them. "It comes from you're heart. Don't be afraid—this is fantastic!"

next page... |  1 of 4

November (Web-only) 2000, Vol. 44