Dear Missions Partners,
The third night of our crusade here in Ado Ekiti, Nigeria has just come to a close. The last few days here have been amazing. The power of God is moving and multitudes have been touched (some pictures are below). However, as you might imagine, today has been marked by one extraordinary event.
This day will go down in history as the day one of God’s greatest generals went home. When I woke up this morning, I had no idea that my day would end with such a whirlwind of emotion. I have both deep sorrow and great joy. Sorrow because Reinhard Bonnke was more than a great man, powerful preacher and influential leader. To me, he was like a father and one of my dearest friends. The Apostle Paul tells us that such gifts in our life are incredibly rare. “Even if you had ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers…” (1 Cor. 4:15). The sense of loss I feel in this moment is profound. But I am so happy that Evangelist Bonnke has finally entered his eternal reward. He is now with the One that he loved so much and that he lived his whole life to please. I am sure that all of heaven is rejoicing.
I was not at his side when Evangelist Bonnke passed away earlier today. Instead, I am on the other side of the world. But I can think of no greater way to honour one of the greatest evangelists that has ever lived, than labouring here in Africa, preaching the Gospel and leading multitudes into the arms of Jesus. Tonight, when I informed the huge crowd about Evangelist Bonnke’s passing, they were visibly and audibly moved with emotion. Many of them can still remember when Reinhard Bonnke came to this same city more than a decade ago. The love for Bonnke in Africa is unparalleled. He left an indelible mark on this continent and we are still walking down the trail he forged over many years of faithful preaching of the Gospel.
Just a few days ago, I was preaching in Orlando about that great cloud of witnesses we read about in Hebrews 12. Today Evangelist Bonnke has joined that mighty host. I’m sure he has a seat of honour among them. And from heaven’s grandstand, he is cheering us on. We must continue to run with patience the race set before us until we all meet again at the feet of Jesus.
Yesterday our ministry celebrated “Founders Day” – 45 years since Evangelist Bonnke started the ministry of Christ for all Nations. Today we celebrate his homegoing. What an amazing and remarkable legacy of harvest he leaves behind.
My phone has been blowing up all day with texts, emails and phone calls from so many of you giving your condolences. Thank you all so much for your love and prayers. Please continue to stand with us. The work is not finished and the harvest is still plentiful. The best is yet to come!
