My trip with Reinhard Bonnke
Written by Joe Oden Friday, 07 November 2008 16:59
I had the wonderful privilege of joining Reinhard Bonnke in a crusade in Nigeria last month. Upon our arrival, we left the airport and began to drive to Nsukka, the city where the crusade would take place. Thousands upon thousands of people were there waiting to greet us and began waving, jumping, singing, and praising the Lord as we entered the city. The power of God came upon me and I just wept at what I saw.
So there was great joy in that city. Acts 8: 8
Acts Chapter 8 is a clear comparison of what can happen when an evangelist comes to a city charged in Holy Ghost fire. It can change the atmosphere of the whole city. Seeing this was as if I were a part of the Bible in action. Not only did it seem like it, it was the Bible in action.
Our first stop after entering into the city was a banquet for Reinhard Bonnke and his team. There were several kings in attendance. This was yet another aspect of the trip where the Bible came to life, and was happening right in front of me. All throughout the Word, God would bring His servants before kings. Paul, Elijah, Elisha, Samuel, and may more just to name a few. They all listened to what Brother Bonnke said. God literally used him to speak the Gospel to the rulers of the land. It was powerful!
The crusade began the following day. On the first night, there were 125,000 people in attendance. Reinhard preached the Word with great power and authority. Thousands were saved. He then began to pray for the sick with divine unction. He rebuked all kinds of diseases and sicknesses. When he rebuked blind eyes, a woman fell to the ground and started to shake. She also had three children who went blind at different ages after birth. After he rebuked blindness, they were all healed at the same time. This was yet another instance of the Bible in action.
As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. Matthew 10: 7, 8
Reinhard Bonnke’s Associate, Evangelist Daniel Kolenda, spoke the next three nights of the crusade, and did a tremendous job. There were so many miracles I cannot even remember them all. The blind saw, the deaf heard, the lame stood up, and the dumb spoke. It was amazing! God will do what He said He would do!
On Thursday through Saturday, the ministry held a Fire Conference for church leaders and pastors. There were 40,000 people in attendance. On the last day of the conference, the place was electric. Leaders were encouraged that they could be mightily used in the Kingdom of God.