Reinhard Bonnke’s Legacy: A Life Devoted To Winning Souls
Reinhard Bonnke’s Legacy will forever resonate in the heart of any real Christian. In this episode of Heroes of Faith, we’ll look at the life of an eccentric preacher and teacher. Reinhard Bonnke was a German-American Pentecostal preacher most known for his gospel campaigns in Africa. Bonnke was one of the preachers and missionaries who transformed Christianity in Africa. In 2000, it is estimated that 1.6 million people attended a single service of his in Nigeria’s metropolis, Lagos. Christ For All Nations (CFAN), known for its work throughout Africa, claims Bonnke preached Christ to more than 79 million non-believers. Below is a brief documention of Reinhard Bonnke’s life.
Early Life and Calling
Reinhard Bonnke was born on 19 April 1940 in Königsberg, East Prussia, Germany. He was the fifth son of Hermann Bonnke, an army logistics officer, and Metaa Bonnke. After World War II, he and his family were displaced and later settled in Glückstadt, West Germany. His father became a pastor, which greatly influenced his spiritual upbringing. That moment sparked a deep and lifelong passion for the Gospel.
At the age of nine, Bonnke gave his life to Christ after his mother spoke with him about sin. At the age of ten, he felt a divine call to become a missionary in Africa. This calling only grew stronger as he matured, shaping his vision for evangelism. Determined to follow God’s direction, he enrolled at the Bible College of Wales, where he was deeply influenced by Samuel Rees Howells, the son of the famous intercessor Rees Howells. It was during his studies that he developed an unwavering faith in God’s provision and power.
After completing his theological training, Bonnke pastored to a small congregation in Germany for several years before embarking on missionary work in Africa. In 1967, he arrived in Lesotho, a small nation in southern Africa, where he began his early ministry. Initially, his efforts yielded limited results, but he remained committed to his mission. It was during this time that he had a powerful vision of Africa being covered in the blood of Jesus and heard God’s voice declaring, “Africa shall be saved.” This vision transformed his ministry approach, leading him to embrace large-scale evangelism, which would later reach millions across the continent.
The Birth of Christ for All Nations (CFAN)
In 1974, Reinhard Bonnke founded Christ for All Nations (CFAN) with a burning vision for mass evangelism in Africa. Frustrated by the slow pace of traditional missionary work, he longed to see entire nations come to Christ. His breakthrough moment came through a vision in which he saw the continent of Africa covered in the blood of Jesus. He heard God’s voice declare, “Africa shall be saved.” This divine encounter fuelled his mission to reach millions with the Gospel.
Bonnke’s ministry began with small meetings in tents, but as crowds grew beyond capacity, he embraced open-air crusades. His first major success came in Botswana, where thousands responded to his preaching. From there, CfaN expanded across Africa, with attendance soaring into the hundreds of thousands and eventually millions. His largest recorded gathering took place in Lagos, Nigeria, in 2000, where a single service drew an estimated 1.6 million people.
Throughout his ministry, Bonnke relied entirely on faith, believing that God would provide the resources, venues, and supernatural miracles needed for his mission. He often recounted testimonies of divine provision—whether it was the miraculous funding of his massive gospel tents or the healing of the sick. His unwavering trust in God’s power led to countless conversions, deliverances, and healings, solidifying CfaN as one of the most impactful evangelistic ministries in history.
His Passion for Souls and Bold Preaching
Reinhard Bonnke was a man consumed by an unshakeable passion for winning souls to Christ. Often referring to himself as a “firebrand for Christ,” he preached the gospel with an intensity that captivated audiences and stirred hearts toward salvation. His message was simple yet powerful: Jesus saves, heals, and delivers.
From an early age, Bonnke carried a deep burden for the lost, particularly in Africa. He repeatedly proclaimed the divine mandate he received—“Africa shall be saved!”—a phrase that became the defining mission of his life and ministry. He believed that entire nations could turn to Christ and dedicated himself to seeing this vision fulfilled.
Bonnke’s evangelistic crusades were marked not only by passionate preaching but also by undeniable demonstrations of God’s power. He firmly believed in the gospel accompanied by signs and wonders, just as in the early church. Throughout his ministry, countless testimonies emerged of miraculous healings, blind eyes being opened, the lame walking, and even reports of the dead being raised. These supernatural events were never the focus; rather, they served as a confirmation of the gospel message and drew multitudes to Christ.
His fearless approach often led him into challenging environments where opposition was strong. Whether facing government restrictions, religious hostility, or physical threats, Bonnke never wavered. He once said, “When we preach the original gospel, we will get the original results.” His confidence was not in his abilities but in the power of the Holy Spirit to transform lives.
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Through his relentless preaching, millions heard the message of salvation, and entire communities were changed. His crusades in Africa would often see hundreds of thousands, sometimes millions, in attendance, all eagerly listening to the life-changing gospel of Jesus Christ. Bonnke’s unwavering faith, passionate delivery, and firm belief in God’s power made him one of the most influential evangelists in history, leaving an indelible mark on global Christianity.
Impact on Evangelism and Global Christianity
Reinhard Bonnke’s impact on evangelism and global Christianity is immeasurable. Through his ministry, over 79 million documented decisions for Christ were recorded, a staggering number that speaks to the effectiveness of his evangelistic approach. His large-scale gospel crusades, often held in open fields and stadiums, drew unprecedented crowds, sometimes exceeding a million people in a single gathering.
Bonnke was a pioneer in utilising modern technology to spread the gospel on a massive scale. He employed state-of-the-art sound systems capable of reaching vast crowds in open-air meetings, ensuring that even those at the farthest distance could hear the message. His ministry also leveraged television broadcasts, printed literature, and digital media, making his teachings accessible worldwide. The distribution of millions of gospel booklets in multiple languages helped reinforce the message beyond the crusades.
His influence extended beyond the Crusades, as he worked closely with local churches and Christian leaders worldwide. His partnerships empowered countless pastors and evangelists, strengthening the body of Christ across Africa, Europe, and beyond. Many leaders who served alongside him or were inspired by his ministry continue to carry the torch of evangelism today.
Bonnke’s legacy lives on through the organisation he founded, Christ for All Nations (CfaN), which continues to conduct large-scale evangelistic campaigns. His impact reshaped the landscape of modern evangelism, proving that bold faith and an unwavering commitment to the gospel can transform nations.
His Resilience and Faith Through Challenges
Reinhard Bonnke’s ministry was not without significant obstacles, yet his unwavering faith and perseverance became a hallmark of his calling. Throughout his decades of evangelism, he faced political opposition, logistical challenges, and even life-threatening situations, yet he never wavered in his mission to spread the gospel.
One of the greatest challenges he encountered was the 1991 Kano riots in Nigeria. After false rumours spread that he planned to insult Islam, violent protests erupted, leading to the deaths of several people and the burning of churches. Following this, Bonnke was banned from entering Nigeria for nearly a decade. However, in 2000, under a new government, he was invited back. Rather than harbouring fear or resentment, he returned with renewed determination, preaching to millions in some of the largest crusades in history.
Another example of his resilience was in 1984, when a massive 34,000-seat tent—considered the world’s largest at the time—was destroyed by a storm just before a major crusade. Instead of despairing, Bonnke and his team moved the event outdoors, where over 100,000 people gathered—far exceeding what the tent could have held. This moment reinforced his belief that nothing could limit God’s plans.
His travels across Africa were often met with logistical nightmares—government restrictions, lack of resources, and even threats on his life. Yet, Bonnke never allowed these to deter him. He often emphasised that God, not human effort, was the source of his success. He famously said, “God always makes a way where there is no way.”
Through every trial, Reinhard Bonnke remained steadfast, never compromising his mission. His ability to trust in God’s provision, face adversity with courage, and press forward despite overwhelming odds serves as an inspiration to countless evangelists and believers worldwide.
His Teachings and Writings
Reinhard Bonnke was not only a powerful preacher but also a prolific writer whose teachings continue to shape evangelism worldwide. His most famous book, Evangelism by Fire, has inspired countless evangelists to preach the gospel with boldness and passion. In this book, he outlines the urgency of winning souls and emphasises the role of faith, obedience, and the power of the Holy Spirit in evangelism.
Bonnke’s teachings were deeply rooted in the belief that the Holy Spirit is essential in transforming lives and empowering believers. He often spoke about the baptism of the Holy Spirit as a catalyst for effective ministry, encouraging Christians to walk in God’s supernatural power. His book Living a Life of Fire, an autobiography, provides a deeper look into his personal experiences, struggles, and victories, offering encouragement to those pursuing God’s calling.
Through his books, sermons, and teachings, Bonnke reinforced that miracles, signs, and wonders were not only for biblical times but for today. Bonnke’s message was simple yet profound: the gospel is a message of power, and when preached with faith, it changes lives.
His teachings continue to impact believers across the world, fuelling a new generation of evangelists to carry the torch of soul-winning and spread the gospel with unwavering conviction.
Reinhard Bonnke’s Legacy and Passing
In his final years, Reinhard Bonnke focused on ensuring the longevity of his evangelistic mission by mentoring and passing the mantle to Daniel Kolenda. Recognising the need for continuity, he officially appointed Kolenda as his successor in 2009, entrusting him with the leadership of Christ for All Nations (CfaN). Together, they continued to conduct massive crusades across Africa and beyond, with Bonnke’s influence shaping the ministry’s ongoing vision.
On December 7, 2019, Reinhard Bonnke passed away at the age of 79. His death was mourned by millions worldwide, yet it was also celebrated as the homegoing of a true general of the faith—a man who had dedicated his life to preaching the gospel. Leaders from around the world, including political figures and prominent Christian ministers, honoured his legacy and the impact of his work.
Even after his passing, CfaN continues to thrive, carrying on Bonnke’s mission with unwavering commitment. The ministry has expanded its efforts through Evangelism Bootcamps, Schools of Evangelism, and Fire Camps, equipping thousands of evangelists to take the gospel to the nations. In 2024, on the 50th anniversary of CfaN, the ministry launched a historic initiative—50 crusades across Africa—a testament to the enduring power of Bonnke’s vision.
Though Reinhard Bonnke is no longer physically present, his passion for souls lives on, with millions continuing to hear the gospel through the ministry he built. His legacy is not just in the numbers but in the countless lives transformed by the saving power of Jesus Christ, a legacy that will endure for generations to come.
Content Credit| Agbetan Bisola
Image Credit | https://www.nytimes.com/
