All you need to know before popular evangelist’s last African crusade

We take a look at all things you need to know about this popular evangelist before this upcoming event.

Early Life

Reinhard Willi Gottfried Bonnke was born on April 19, 1940, to a pastor and ex-serviceman in the German Army. He is from Königsberg, East Prussia, Germany.

He started his ministry at an early age

Bonnke became born again at the young age of nine. This was reportedly after his mother called his attention to his sin. This led to him going for missionary work at the age of 10 in Africa, where he claims to have had an encounter with the Holy Spirit. This was just the beginning of his missionary work in Africa.

Full Ministry

His ministry started formally after he attended Bible College in Wales and was ordained in Germany, where he pastored a church. He eventually left to start his missionary work in Africa in 1969.

There, he saw ‘the continent of Africa, being washed in the precious Blood of Jesus.’ This happened in Lesotho. This was the vision for his entire ministry, to reach people by spreading the Gospel.

With this vision, Evangelist Bonnke started open-air Gospel Campaigns, conducted city-wide meetings across the continent, and founded the international ministry of Christ for all Nations (CfaN), which has 75 million recorded decisions for Christ.

The Reinhard Bonnke School of Fire and more recently, the ‘Full Flame Film Series,’ a series of eight inspirational films are more products of his ministry.

He has written over 40 books including an autobiography titled, “Living a Life of Fire.

Reportedly, Bonnke has preached the gospel to more people than anyone in history.

Last Crusade Ever

His African crusades always attract large crowds and get great response to call of salvation. You can also see signs and wonders like the blind eyes seeing, deaf ears hearing, those with demonic oppressions being freed. On one occasion, a dead man was brought back to life.

After years of an impactful ministry, the 76-year-old is ending it with a “farewell” crusade in Lagos, Nigeria.

In his statement, Bonnke said, “The Lord spoke to me, that I should go back for one more crusade in Africa. I want not only to see a gigantic harvest of souls but TO PASS MY BURNING TORCH to this generation.

“Recently, I travelled to Lagos, Nigeria to meet with the spiritual leadership there and they gave their unanimous support. I believe God is going to do something I have never seen before.”

This Farewell Gospel Crusade is expected to attract a huge attendance like that of 2000 tagged, ‘Nigeria Millennium Crusade.’ That got over six million people in five nights. It is CFaN’s largest Crusade to date.

This year’s crusade will have 500,000 counsellors, 200,000 intercessors, a choir of over 23,000 and a security force of over 10,000.

CfaN African Director John Darku said, “This crusade will be like none we have seen before. There is great excitement from all the churches in the country, and we are expecting a spectacular harvest of people coming to Christ.”

CfaN’s lead evangelist and Bonnke’s successor, Daniel Kolenda added, “I’m thrilled to join with Reinhard in this vision, and know that the results of this crusade will be farther — reaching and of even greater consequence than we can even imagine.

“We must be poised, ready to take the baton from Evangelist Bonnke and work the work of our Father. God is calling on you and I, even though we may be imperfect, to join with Him, to reach the unsaved with the word of salvation and cause great healing unto the souls, bodies, and spirits of the people of a decaying and reprobate world.”

This five-day Crusade, from November 8th to 12th, will be live-streamed worldwide, free of charge.

It will hold at Sparklight Estate, opposite OPIC Plaza, Isheri Osun, Lagos/Ibadan Expressway.

Family Life

The German evangelist is married to Anni Suelze. They got tied the knot in 1964. Their union is blessed with three children, Kai-Uwe Bonnke, Gabrielle Bonnke and Susie Bonnke.

He is also a grandfather to eight grandchildren.