Maseru, Lesotho
A Historic Meeting
I would like to tell you about a very special and historic day in the national stadium in Maseru, the capital of Lesotho.
Those of you who are familiar with CfaN’s history will immediately recognize the name of this little country landlocked by South Africa. It was where a young Evangelist Bonnke and his small family began ministry in Africa, fresh from Germany. It was also where he received the vision of a “blood washed Africa,” and where he heard the Holy Spirit cry, “Africa shall be saved.” This tiny nation, with less than 2 million inhabitants, has played a crucial role in CfaN’s history. So it holds a very special place in our hearts.
Our host for the Campaign was an amazing man named Michael Kolisang – Evangelist Bonnke’s first convert in Lesotho. He received Christ as a young man on a street corner where Evangelist Bonnke was playing the accordion and preaching. That day Evangelist Bonnke told him, “I see the hand of God upon your life.” Now Michael Kolisang is one of the top bishops and spiritual fathers in the whole country. His churches are exploding with growth. When I arrived he took me straight from the airport to a “ground-breaking” ceremony for another new church building. It is amazing to see “the hand of God” at work.
The meeting began with a couple of the top leaders sharing their testimonies of coming to Christ through Evangelist Bonnke’s ministry. Then they welcomed Evangelist Bonnke to the platform. He told the people about the wonderful things God has been doing over the past 40 years since he left Lesotho. Then he prayed for them and for the next generation – that they would receive the “burning baton” of the Gospel and evangelism.
Next, Evangelist Bonnke introduced me to preach the Gospel and pray for the sick. I spoke about the power of the Blood of Jesus. The response was overwhelming. The organizers had arranged for the counselors to stand in front of the platform. So the people who responded to the message had to come down from the grandstand to the ground. Thousands of people were literally running forward! I thought the counselors would flee for fear of being trampled (which has happened in other campaigns). But they stood their ground.
Prime Minister Tom Thabane also attended the meeting. He presented Evangelist Bonnke and me with gifts and traditional dress – complete with hat and staff. Evangelist Bonnke then prayed for the nation, and I prayed for the sick.
Thea and Andre Britz, the national directors of the South African office, did an excellent job organizing this meeting. More than 120 of our friends, partners, and fellow evangelists journeyed from South Africa just to attend the meeting and witness this historic event with their own eyes. Although Evangelist Bonnke announced that this would be his final visit to Lesotho, this is not the end; it is the beginning of what God will do in this beautiful nation – and continue to do on this continent. Jesus will continue to do His work here, and one day, CfaN will be back.
Daniel Kolenda
