Preview - Okitipupa

Nigeria
Nigeria, which is by far the most densely populated country in Africa, is divided into 36 federal states. Owing to the large population, it will continue to be the focus of CfaN’s work in 2009. The north of the country, which gradually changes from steppe to desert, is predominantly Muslim, whereas the south has been superficially Christian since the colonial era. One of the country’s main problems is an unhealthy religious mix (syncretism) of Christianity and animism. A fair number of Nigerian “Christians” continue to make sacrifices to their ancestors, go to heathen festivals, wear talismans, worship totems, etc. A Bible-based, uncompromising proclamation with a call for a clear conversion and a sincere commitment of one’s life is urgently needed in many places, including those with an apparent Christian heritage. In fact, it is no different from Europe, where, despite a history of Christian influence, there are many places where Bible-based Christianity is not easy to find.

Ole/Ozoro
In January the CfaN Team will be going to the two towns of Ole and Ozoro in Delta State in southern Nigeria. This densely settled coastal region on the Gulf of Guinea is home to the Isoko tribe. The two towns, which are the seats of the local governments of Isoko North and Isoko South , are only five kilometres apart and are gradually merging to form one large town. The Isoko region is in the sultry tropical rainforest of the Niger Delta. In this area the rainfall is often heavy and can last for some time and for most of the year humidity is very high, between 85% and 95%. The region is extremely fertile and predominantly agricultural. The climate in the dry season from November to April is influenced by the harmattan, the desert wind from the north-east, which brings warm, dry air from the Sahara. One of the core problems in the region is oil drilling. Apart from problems of environmental destruction and the risk to fishing, the oil drilling is the cause of ethnic conflict between individual clans and rebel groups, as many people living in the region feel exploited by the international companies. There are repeated kidnappings. One of the largest oil refineries in Africa is located in the capital of the federal state, Warri (where we held a richly blessed gospel crusade in September 2003). The mixture of African customs and church traditions is prevalent among a large section of the population in this area. Fetish worship is widespread. There are a large number of ancient shrines and memorials where homage is paid. The message of salvation urgently needs to be preached clearly and unequivocally. The pastors, too, are longing for encouragement, fresh fire and new power. The fields are white unto harvest in the land of the Isoko.

Day 1 - Wednesday, 21 January 2009

Dear Mission-Partners,

Our Gospel Crusade in Delta State/Nigeria, an obscure little place called ISOKOLAND, began tonight. 85,000 people showed up this very first meeting and God's power of mercy and love exploded gloriously. A huge number of people received Jesus as their Savior! And then the miracles of healing followed. Look at the picture of the young man whose sister was delivered from madness of mind. The cripples walked and blind eyes saw. We ought to have a blazing neon sign in every church with the words: “THIS SAME JESUS”. The Jesus we point to is the Jesus of saving grace, miracle power and healing mercy. What He was in the past He still is today. What He did in days gone by He still does in our day. When we preach Jesus as He is, He reveals Himself in confirmation of what is said.

We continue tomorrow. Please pray for us. It all looks as if this Crusade is going to shake everything this area has ever heard or seen. Yours forever in Jesus,

Evangelists Reinhard Bonnke and Daniel Kolenda,
together with the whole CfaN Team.

(Click for larger image)

Day 2 - Thursday, 22 January 2009

Dear Mission-Partners,

Today is DAY TWO in Isokoland/Nigeria. The venue is between two villages and people from both sides have to walk for many miles. When Chief Solomon Ogba, State Secretary of the PDP, Delta State, saw the huge crowd, he was thunderstruck. “This happens on a village-level”, he said, “it’s beyond belief.”

Tonight again the Gospel was powerfully proclaimed, with masses of people receiving Jesus as their personal Savior. Have a look at tonight’s crowd-picture. The Bible presents the gospel as the wisdom of God, the only saving truth. No man made it up, just as no man invented water. No philosopher ever conceived equal hope. Preaching the Gospel releases the saving power of God. Those who are dead in trespasses and sins hear it and are raised to new life – glory to God!

After the prayer for the sick numerous miracles happened.  One young man, mute for 26 years suddenly discovered he could speak.  A mad woman was instantly healed and testified with astounding clarity of mind. Many cripples were also healed including the one in the attached picture who fell in a well and broke his leg 2 years ago. Since that time he had been unable to walk until Jesus healed him tonight. Like the lame man in Acts 3:8 he went walking and leaping and praising God.

When looking at these dear people, compassion grips us. Compassion must be preached with compassion and love with love – “sincere love,” as set out in the evangelists’ charter in 2 Corinthians 6. We are determined to continue this ministry alongside the Lord of the Harvest, our blessed Lord Jesus Christ, and together with you. Please continue to pray for a Blood-Washed Africa.

Yours forever in Jesus,

Evangelists Daniel Kolenda and Reinhard Bonnke
With the whole CfaN Crusade-Team.

(Click for larger image)

Day 3 - Friday, 23 January 2009

Dear Mission-Partners,

As you may know, all our Gospel Crusades are paired with a Fire Conference, in which church-workers are prepared for a life of effective witness for Jesus and for evangelism in general. This culminates in a massive outpouring of the Holy Spirit, in fulfillment of the Promise of the Lord. This morning was glorious. Thousands upon thousands of wonderful Christians were soaking up the Word of God. Our Mission is power, not routine. Our role is that of power men, laying the power lines into powerless lives. Then Jesus does the rest.
Tonight’s Gospel Crusade was another glorious highlight: 225,000 people attended in this highly rural “village-setup”. Daniel Kolenda was the preacher and he ministered with authority. Many souls got saved, filling up the barns of God. When the prayer for the sick rung out, many wonderful miracles happened. A girl, deaf and dumb for 20 years heard and spoke clearly.  Her brother saw her giving the testimony and ran onto the platform to embrace her and they rejoiced together (see attached picture).  Another girl, crippled for years was brought to the meeting from the hospital.  She told her mother to take her to the Gospel meeting where she believed Jesus would heal her.  During the prayer the power of God came on her and she began to walk.  There was no end to the miracles that continued to take place...even until the very last moment of the meeting. 

Jesus says “GO YE...” and here we are in Isokoland! Faith is not just waiting for God to move. Faith is to move for God. Any doctrine or philosophy that does not lend itself as conductor of the power of God is a waste of time. We have no time to waste, because the world is desperately waiting for the Good News of Salvation. Thank you for agreeing with us – and helping us to go. 

Yours forever in Jesus,

Evangelists Daniel Kolenda and Reinhard Bonnke
With the whole CfaN Crusade-Team.

(Click for larger image)

Day 4 - Saturday, 24 January 2009

Dear Mission-Partners,

The Fire Conference climaxed today. Peter van den Berg and Daniel Kolenda ministered – and the Holy Spirit fell as described in Acts 2. Tens of thousands of God’s people received the power that Jesus spoke about in Acts 1:8. What glorious reality!
In tonight’s service 300,000 people gathered with hungry hearts and again the Gospel was preached “with great assurance”, as Paul puts it. God majors in snatching brands from the fire of destruction. His heartbeat throbs in the gospel and sets the pulse-rate of those taking it to the lost world. This is what we feel inside. Passing years could have made us indifferent, but somehow the Lord makes us see the people as He sees them from the Cross. He said He had to do the work of the one who sent him (John 9:4). His imperative infects us! His Spirit imparts to us a little of the urgency of his all-embracing desire for the whole world to be saved. To be part of that work is our highest privilege. It brings each day to a close with a sense of the finest purpose and satisfaction available to us mortals.

Tonight the miracles and healings were flowing like a river:

There was no end in sight to the miracle testimonies and even as we left the crusade grounds the crowd was bursting into praise...miracles were still happening!

Thank you so very much for standing with us, praying and helping us to keep going for Jesus. The Lord Himself will reward you for your part in this great work in a special way.

Yours forever in Jesus,

Evangelists Daniel Kolenda and Reinhard Bonnke
With the whole CfaN Crusade-Team.

(Click for larger image)

Day 5 - Sunday, 25 January 2009

Dear Mission-Partners,

Tonight was the climax of the Gospel Crusade here in Isokoland, Nigeria and what a glorious finale it was.  The crowd was teaming with 425,000 people hungry to hear the Word of God!  After the prayer for salvation we prayed for the crowd to receive the Baptism into the Holy Spirit and the Fire fell.  As the deafening sound of the crowd speaking in tongues rose to heaven, I could hear the words of the prophet Joel resonating in my spirit, “In the last days, I will pour out my Spirit upon ALL FLESH.”  What a glorious time we live in.  These are the days that “many prophets and righteous men longed to see…”

After the prayer for the sick, the miracles began:

Tomorrow we will all be heading home, but not for long. Our next crusade here begins in two weeks in the city of Mubi.  Thank you so much for helping us to bring the Gospel to this remote village in the one of the world’s “uttermost parts”.  Your every investment will return to you in eternal dividends.  We are asking ourselves, as we always do, “what if we had not come?”

Yours forever in Jesus,

Evangelists Daniel Kolenda and Reinhard Bonnke
With the whole CfaN Crusade-Team.

 

(Click for larger image)