4 years in Glory: Christian community remembers Evang. Reinhard Bonnke
Yesterday, December 7, the Christian community remembered the popular German-American Pentecostal evangelist, principally known for his gospel missions throughout Africa, Evang. Reinhard Bonnke slept in the Lord on the 7th of December, 2019.
Following Reinhard Bonnke’s graduation from Bible College in Wales and his ordination in Germany, he and his spouse, Anni, served as pastors of a small church until 1967, when they left to serve as missionaries in the tiny mountain nation of Lesotho, Africa, following their calling as children.
Reinhard founded Christ for All Nations in 1974 after the Holy Spirit spoke to him in a recurring dream about “a blood-washed Africa.” Reinhard went on to become an inspirational visionary who frequently spoke of “plundering hell to populate heaven” and a committed preacher who saw “signs following” as essential proof of the Gospel’s ability to save, heal, and deliver people.
Up until the day of his passing, Reinhard Bonnke was devoted to the gospel. No matter where in the world a door opened for him, he preached it “in season and out of season,” but Africa remained his major call. “Africa shall be saved!” is a phrase he loved to yell, and it is still remembered whenever Reinhard Bonnke is mentioned.
Seven things you did not know about the late Reinhard Bonnke
Below are a few things to know about the late evangelist:
1. Reinhard Bonnke was a German-American preacher who focused on Africa a lot during his lifetime. According to him, he was born again at the age of nine and travelled to Africa for missionary work at the age of ten. At this time, his father had become a pastor.
2. According to Wikipedia, Reinhard Bonnke was born on April 19, 1940.
3. Reinhard Bonnke held his farewell gospel crusade in Nigeria in November 2017 and handed it over to Daniel Kolenda.
4. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, Reinhard Bonnke, in 1984 commissioned the construction of what was the world’s largest mobile structure at the time—a tent capable of seating 34,000 people.
5. Reinhard Bonnke died at the age of 79.
6. Reinhard Bonnke was married to Anni Suelze, whom he met at a gospel music festival. They married in 1964 and have three children.
7. Reinhard Bonnke began his ministry in Africa by preaching in Lesotho in 1967. He went on to hold meetings in different countries across the continent.
Reinhard Bonnke’s Controversial visit to Nigeria
In 1991, during Mr Bonnke’s visit to Kano in Nigeria, there were riots in the city as irate youth protested over controversial remarks he had reportedly made about Islam in Kaduna on his way to Kano.
A rumor was then spread that Mr Bonnke was planning to “lead an invasion” into Kano.
The mob gathered at the Kofar Mata Eide-ground where they were addressed by several clerics who claimed that Mr Bonnke was going to blaspheme Islam.
About 8,000 youth gathered and after noon prayers, the riots ensued, during which many sustained injuries and several buildings were razed. He would later return to Nigeria to preach nine years later.
