Today I have some news to share with you that makes me (and all the CfaN team) a little sad, for all the right reasons. The time has come for our beloved Vice President, Peter Vandenberg, to officially retire. Where do I even start to honor this man, who has given 43 years of his life in service with Christ for all Nations? He has set a standard of godly leadership that I have learnt so much from over the years. We are witnesses to his life of faith and service. We have seen him and his wife, Evangeline, lay everything on the line for the sake of the Gospel. Let me tell you a little about Peter and his huge effect on CfaN.
A young couple say “Yes!” to God
In 1975, Peter and Evangeline were a young married couple in Harare, Zimbabwe, when a youthful German evangelist came to their church. That evangelist preached on answering the call of God, and when he gave an altar call, they stood up together. The young evangelist was Reinhard Bonnke! The very next day, Peter and Evangeline began selling everything they had and applied to go to Bible college. Soon, they and their three small children were in England, where Peter studied theology.
While he was still a student, the couple formed an evangelistic Gospel band called “Rufaro”. This became a highly successful ministry, and they saw many thousands saved. It was at the height of this success that Rufaro was asked to provide the music for a special event in Birmingham in 1981. Once again, an evangelist was coming to town, and yes, it was Reinhard Bonnke!
“I need a mechanic, not a preacher.”
Peter felt the Lord tell him, “You will work with Christ for all Nations,” and reached out to Reinhard. But the evangelist told him, “We already have preachers. What I need is a mechanic for our fleet of trucks.” What he did not know was that Peter was a qualified diesel mechanic who had been the general manager of his family’s motor business. Without hesitation, Peter accepted that position. Within months, the Vandenberg family had relocated to South Africa, where Peter was put in charge of the CfaN vehicles.
He very soon had the trucks fixed and the workshop running efficiently. It took just six months for Reinhard to march over to the workshop and make Peter CfaN’s General Manager. His mechanical engineering skills would again be useful, as Peter took over managing the enormous project of building the famous Big Tent, then the largest mobile structure in the world.
A talent for organization
From then on, Peter applied his considerable organizational talents to the day-to-day running of the entire ministry. He became Reinhard’s righthand man – the Joshua to his Moses – supporting and assisting him at home and abroad. When they were in the field together, Peter took on many roles and tasks. For many years, he took photos of the campaign crowds. And at every meeting, it was Peter who would walk the length and breadth of the field, counting people in different areas to come up with an accurate crowd estimate. Despite being CfaN’s General Manager, and then Vice President, he never saw his title as a reason to let others do the work. On the contrary, he was always willing and eager to do whatever was needed, wherever he was needed. This is what true servant leadership looks like.
Teaching Africa’s church leaders
In the late 1980s, Peter and John Darku (CfaN Campaign Director) began hosting Fire Conferences for local church leaders in Africa. These take place during the mornings of Gospel Campaigns, and are open to pastors, elders, and church leaders. They are an invaluable way to build church unity in a region, and especially to encourage and inspire leaders to act in the power of the Holy Spirit. Through Fire Conferences, Peter Vandenberg has personally ministered to over three million church leaders in Africa! Can you imagine what an impact he has had on the body of Christ?
A mentor and friend
When Reinhard decided it was time to pass the torch to the next generation, I was only 27 years old. As Reinhard began to step back from campaign preaching, and I started taking on more and more of that responsibility, Peter was by my side. Just as he had done for Reinhard before me, he supported and helped me, traveling with me almost everywhere the Lord was sending me. With his great love for the people of Africa, and his understanding of cultural differences there, he helped me navigate the protocol and politics we encounter. While Reinhard mentored me as an evangelist, it was Peter who helped me learn the nuts and bolts of running the ministry. He became not only a mentor, but also my dear friend.
Lives of love and sacrifice
Peter’s gift for leadership has shepherded CfaN through countless difficult situations, always with kindness and often with his distinctive sense of humor. But we cannot honor his service without also giving thanks for the woman by his side, his wife Evangeline. For decades, Peter was away from home for as much as two-thirds of the year. Evangeline has offered up that sacrifice with grace and generosity of spirit. She is known by us all at CfaN for her tremendous love, patience and wisdom, gifts she shares generously. Over the years, Evangeline has also served at CfaN through leading worship, writing and editing for our publications, and in recent years, mentoring many Bootcamp students.
Together, they have given up everything to follow the call of God – not just once, but many times. They have started from scratch in seven different countries on three continents and been separated from their loved ones more often than not. They do not just talk the talk – they walk the walk of sacrifice and obedience, and they do so with joyful hearts.
We say, “Thank you!”
I speak for the CfaN team worldwide when I say we are deeply grateful for the massive impact that Peter and Evangeline have had on this ministry. Just before he went to be with the Lord in 2019, Reinhard said these words to Peter: “I want to thank you for 39 years of faithful service. CfaN would never have existed without your help, and I thank you.” Now, as Peter and Evangeline prepare to take their much-deserved rest, we too thank them for 43 years of faithful, dedicated, wholehearted service. Only in heaven one day will we know the full story of the impact of their lives.
Together with you for the Gospel,
Evangelist Daniel Kolenda
(here with the worldwide CfaN team)
