Preview - Yola

The marks left behind by a major campaign are not limited to the “spiritual”. Time and again we hear about crime rates falling after a CfaN campaign, about stolen goods being returned, families getting back together and the economy beginning to flourish.

It is true: where the Lord is at work, healing and blessing flow into all aspects of life. A Nigerian pastor told us after a crusade in his town, “It has meant huge changes for life here, for the people and the fellowships. We are eternally grateful that you thought of us, of our people, and brought the gospel to the people here!”

The first Great Gospel Campaign in 2008 will take place in mid-February in Yola, the main city of the federal state of Adamawa, in the far east of Nigeria. Yola was founded in 1841 and until it was captured by the British in 1901 it was the capital of a Fulani kingdom, the “Adamawa Emirates”.

Today around 800,000 people live in this melting pot of various ethnic groups. Apart from an array of dialects and English, the official language, the Hausa and Fulfuda languages are widely spoken. Most of the people are farmers and cattle breeders who work in small agricultural enterprises. Peanuts and cotton are among the most remunerative agricultural products. The economic situation is particularly problematic; compared with other federal states, there is even a slight decline. Yola needs divine intervention to become a regional centre for the urgently needed economic growth. A viable industrial sector that can create jobs does not yet exist, little attention is paid to health and there is no regular water supply. Poverty is endemic in that federal state.

However, Yola has an impressive industrial bakery and has had a state-run university of technology since 1981. Nonetheless, the level of education in the area is low. Nine kilometres to the north on the Benue River is the port of Jimeta, which is closely linked to Yola; some business activities – in particular, trade with the Niger delta, which is 800 kilometres away – have been relocated there.

From a spiritual perspective, the ground has yet to be broken up in that impoverished region. There are a few demonic festivals, such as the “Tiwie”, a funeral celebration or festival of the dead, which is celebrated with drink sacrifices, magic formulae and gifts for the ancestors, along with drumming, singing and dancing in praise of the sinister gods. Far too many people are still involved in occult practices.

Owing to the area’s geographical location in the “Middle Belt”, the major denominations have largely left the town and the surrounding area to their own devices as far as evangelism is concerned. There has been no major gospel campaign here for decades. This means that many fellowships do not have the strength to exert a positive influence on the local people and boldly proclaim the gospel. The Christians in Yola need something which will fire them with enthusiasm and give them fresh courage to preach the good news of Jesus. They need inspiration, mobilisation and motivation! Which is why we are going to Yola. The local fellowships are already looking forward excitedly to the forthcoming campaign and thousands of helpers are already preparing for the great event

That is not to underestimate the challenges that face us in the months ahead. The team will be travelling under testing conditions back and forth across Nigeria, a country that is almost three times the size of Germany and, according to the latest estimates, has a population of more than 160 million people.

The crusade preparation phase with hundreds or, indeed, more than a thousand local fellowships and churches and the training programme for the tens of thousands of Christian counsellors that we will need is a mammoth task. Then once the campaign is over, we need to be sure that the completed decision cards will be counted and distributed among the participating fellowships in readiness for the follow-up work. This follow-up phase a decisive factor in the long-term success of all our efforts. It is not unusual for a church to double or treble in size after a CfaN campaign.

Please continue to pray for us – and thank you for all your financial help, which makes the ministry of CfaN possible.

Arrival - Tuesday, 5 February 2008

Dear Mission-Partners,

Last night we arrived by air in the Nigerian ancient city of Yola. Thousands of people had gathered at the airport, waving little flashlights in the darkness. When I emerged from the Arik Air Boeing 737, a mighty roar of welcome rose. On my way to the airport-building I was pulled in all directions by the people who wanted to touch me – it was quite scary, even my jacket was torn. But the level of excitement thrills my heart. Tomorrow night is the start of the Gospel-Crusade, and I expect great things from God.

This morning I made my courtesy-calls on the governor of the State of Adamawa, as well as the traditional ruler, His Royal Highness, Dr. Aliyu Mustapha, the Lamido of Adamawa. The latter, although Muslim, welcomed me heartily, and the Deputy Governor said, that he would personally attend our meetings. It all ended with a press-conference (see attached pictures). Tonight we will meet the whole Christian leadership of this city for a banquet. It’s the beginning of the crusade.    

We have come to preach the eternal Gospel – nothing less and nothing more – whatever the cost. The salvation of this world? Well, Jesus did not think it a waste of time to go out of His way to heal the sick and feed the feeble multitudes. He invited persecution for healing the man with a withered arm. From that moment on, He walked with a price on His head. But that man mattered to Jesus, and his arm had to be restored, no matter what (Matt. 12:10-13). We follow His example. Please pray for us and the whole of Yola!

Yours in His love and service,

Reinhard Bonnke, Evangelist,
and the whole CfaN Team.   

Day 1 - Wednesday, 6 February 2008

Dear Mission-Partners,

We just returned from the first meeting of this crusade. 200,000 people had flocked to the crusade-ground. These precious people were as hungry for the Word of God as fledglings in a nest for food. What a joy and privilege to preach the Gospel to this great crowd! The altar-call for salvation was simply awesome. What a harvest of souls! It seems to me, that is was one hundred per cent. Have a look at the picture below, which shows just a part of the crowd. The platform was surrounded by people, and it sometimes felt as if I was floating on a raft in a human ocean.
The miracles began to happen even before I prayed for the sick. All of a sudden divine bursts of mercy struck the people all around. The blind saw, the dumb spoke and the cripples walked – like the woman in the other picture. Please pray for tomorrow and the rest of the week! It is a week of a Super-Harvest for heaven.

Yours in His love and service,
 
Reinhard Bonnke, Evangelist,
and the whole CfaN Team.

Day 2 - Thursday, 7 February 2008

Dear Mission-Partners,

Tonight’s crowd doubled from yesterday to 400,000 people. What a glorious meeting. It was a total defeat of Satan. Masses were born again and delivered from all bondages of Satan! I felt that the cloud of God’s glory hung so low, that miracles kept happening throughout the whole long meeting without praying for them. We need to keep seeking the lost. What we have forsaken, that Satan has taken. We will not allow that! We are here in Yola/Nigeria this week to claim and reclaim every precious soul for Jesus.

Have a look at the crowd-picture and also that dear lady who was a total cripple for 3 full years. She ran across the stage and shouted for joy! So many blind were healed! The people have come from all over Adamawa State and thousands sleep at night on the crusade-field so that they might not miss a single happening.
Thank you for your love and prayers. We anticipate even greater things. The Lord will bless and reward you.

Yours in His love and service,
 
Reinhard Bonnke, Evangelist,
and the whole CfaN Team.

Day 3 - Friday, 8 February 2008

Dear Mission-Partners,

Today was another glorious day. During the last 3 meetings well over 1 million people attended. The harvest is plenteous and the miracles so numerous and mighty that no one can deny.

Tonight I asked Evangelist Daniel Kolenda to preach and he truly preached with fire. After the prayer of salvation I prayed for the sick. A man who was totally blind for 40 years received his sight.

Have a look at the picture – it is the ultimate proof. It is no exaggeration that thousands of healed people wanted to testify. This is the Jesus at work as we know Him from Scripture. Reports reach us of how cripples throw their crutches away while on their way to the meeting and others when going home. The power of God is simply everywhere in reach. You should see how the streets are filled with people to and fro the Crusade venue; there is hardly room for vehicles. It is true to say, that Yola and the whole Adamawa State in Nigeria is literally stunned by the power of the Gospel.

Please continue to pray for the last two days. Tomorrow morning is the conclusion of the Fire Conference, which is another glorious highlight.

Yours in His love and service,
 
Reinhard Bonnke, Evangelist,
and the whole CfaN Team.

Day 4 - Saturday, 9 February 2008

Dear Mission-Partners,

Just minutes ago we as a team returned from the 4th crusade meeting, which was attended tonight by 525,000 people. I can hardly describe what we experienced... it was so personally intense and glorious. Jesus had thrown His arms around each single visitor. Mass-conversion was followed by a massive outpouring of the Holy Spirit. And then notable miracles happened to thousands everywhere: cripples walking and the blind seeing, including a boy who was blind from birth.

In the morning the Fire Conference in the stadium reached its climax with a fantastic baptism in the Holy Spirit. More than 40,000 delegates were there and received their fullness “out of His fullness”. All of us from the CfaN Team here in Yola are totally overwhelmed by the wonderful works of God. Have look at the pictures taken by Oleksandr.

Tomorrow night is the grand closing service and we will return to our respective homes. Thank you for your love and prayers as well as for your ongoing support.

Yours in His love and service,

Reinhard Bonnke, Evangelist,
and the whole CfaN Team.

Day 5 - Sunday, 10 February 2008

Dear Mission-Partners,

The last meeting in this crusade is just over. Tonight 625,000 people attended, which means that over the 5 evening-services a total of 2.2 million. We have not yet been able to count the decision-cards, but it will be absolutely huge! What a mighty God we serve, and what an honor that he has chosen us to bring in such a harvest of souls.
The miracles of healing were heart-moving. A 14 year old boy, who was born totally blind, suddenly saw perfectly (see the picture). It was a real river of healing manifestations. Jesus Christ is surely the same today. Please continue to pray for us, because our preparations for next month’s crusade are already in full swing. We need the help of God – and yours too. Thank you for all your love and generosity.

Yours in His love and service,

Reinhard Bonnke, Evangelist,
and the whole CfaN Team.

Cloud of God’s Glory in Yola

When our plane touched down in Yola, Nigeria, we did not know what to expect. Two years ago, a Gospel campaign was planned in this same place, but because of complicated political and religious issues, it had been cancelled. Since then, multiple attempts to come to Yola had failed. But for two years, the precious saints had prayed, believed, and waited for Reinhard Bonnke to bring his Great Gospel Campaign to Adamawa State. Finally, the time had come. We rolled down the runway, and then came to a smooth stop in the dusky Nigerian night. The cabin door opened and Reinhard Bonnke stepped onto the waiting mobile staircase.

Suddenly, out of the darkness came a thunderous roar; thousands of rejoicing people waving small flashlights came running onto the tarmac. As we moved through the teaming crowd, they pulled us in all directions with such enthusiasm that Evangelist Bonnke’s jacket was torn and the police eventually had to intervene. Even in the midst of this potentially dangerous situation, it was evident that there was something special in the air in Yola. That same eager expectancy, with which we were greeted, was characteristic of the entire campaign!
 
The Cloud of Glory was hanging low
Over 200,000 people attended the very first meeting. They came with such hunger and faith that the miracles began to happen even before the prayer for the sick. The next night, the huge crowd doubled to 400,000. By the third night, more than one million people had attended the previous three meetings and the momentum continued to mount. One night, Evangelist Bonnke summed it up when he said, “I feel that the cloud of God’s Glory is hanging so low.” A man totally blind for 40 years instantly received his sight. A woman crippled for three years and brought to the campaign in a wheelbarrow, ran and jumped for joy on the platform. Another woman, deaf for 32 years was totally healed and spoke perfectly. Thousands of people came forward to testify of miraculous happenings and the whole region seemed “stunned” by the presence of God.
 
The Gospel Vacuum
Each night, Evangelist Bonnke together with Associate Evangelist Daniel Kolenda preached a crystal clear message of the Gospel without compromise, speaking of sin and salvation, of heaven and hell, and of repentance and faith. Each night when the invitation for salvation was given, a sea of hands responded and each night the Gospel tide seemed to rise creating an irresistible vacuum that was drawing the entire region. One of our team members visited the local market one day and overheard a group of men having a heated discussion. When he asked his interpreter to tell him what they were saying, the interpreter explained, “They are talking about the crusade. They are saying, ‘Blind eyes are being opened and cripples are walking … we don’t care what the Imam says, we are going to see it for ourselves.’” The interpreter then told him, “The others are saying, ‘we’re coming too.’” In a single service, 625,000 people attended the meeting … more than 100% of the population of Yola. The deputy governor told us that it was the largest gathering of any kind that they had ever experienced. Evangelist Bonnke often says, “The Gospel is magnetic!”
 
Enemies of God become Friends of God
Every single salvation was a devastating defeat to the devil and while we were rejoicing, the enemies of God were repining. Evangelist Bonnke had urged all of those with fetishes and other witchcraft related items, to bring them to be burned. These objects were placed in two large barrels on either side of the platform and with a burst of light and the sound of singing they went up in a fiery blaze. Just then, someone ran out from among the crowd and pushed over one of the burning barrels. He then ran to the other side of the platform, toppled the second barrel and proceeded to attempt to assault a member of the technical team when the Nigerian police tackled him. Evangelist Bonnke said to me, “He may still get saved, because through the Gospel, the enemies of God become the friends of God.” That truth struck me like a hammer. In the crazed eyes of that man, it was easy to see an enemy of God, but Paul says in Romans 5:10 that we too were once enemies of God, but we were reconciled unto Him by the death of His Son. Jesus didn’t come for the righteous. He came for the sinners attacking Him with hate-filled eyes; but while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. What mercy! What love!

In the final tally, 1,403,640 people filled out decision cards documenting their decision to receive Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. Many thousands more were healed and filled with the Holy Spirit. The curses of the land were broken and the captives were set free … Hallelujah! We left the region knowing that it would never be the same and asking ourselves, as we always do, “What if we had not come?”

Report by Daniel Kolenda

Dear Mission-Partners,

During Christ for all Nations’ nearly 35 years of ministry, we have seen bigger crowds than we saw in Yola, Nigeria, but I rank this crusade among the best ever! The cloud of God’s glory swept so low. At times, I had the feeling that something like a mighty Holy Spirit-tornado hovered over the huge mass of people, its funnel sucking up uncleanness, sin, and sickness.
 
A rich Gospel Harvest
The precious people came from all over Adamawa State, as hungry for the Word of God as fledglings in a nest for food. Thousands slept at night on the crusade field, so that they might not miss a single happening. Often, the sick were healed before we even prayed for their healing. All of a sudden divine bursts of mercy struck the people all around. A police officer who was crippled, dumb, and blind was, in one moment healed from head to toe! A twelve year-old girl who had never walked was brought by her mother. After a touch from God, the girl demonstrated her total ability to walk. The whole Adamawa State was shaken to its core.

During the 5 days of preaching, 1,469,800 people responded to the call of salvation, receiving a follow-up booklet. Of these, 1,403,640 actually completed and returned the decision card! Isn’t that wonderful? What a rich harvest for our blessed Lord Jesus Christ!

Continue to seek and to save the Lost
We need to keep seeking the lost. That which we have forsaken has been taken by Satan. We will not allow that! We are on a mission to claim and reclaim every precious soul for Jesus.

Thank you for your love and prayers. We anticipate even greater things. May the Lord bless and reward you.
                
PS: We are just about to leave for our next crusade in India. As always, it is only through the financial support of our faithful partners that we can go. Would you consider supporting us at this crucial time?

God bless you!

Evangelist Reinhard Bonnke