Reinhard Bonnke Biography
Reinhard Bonnke (19 April 1940 – 7 December 2019) was a German-American Pentecostal evangelist. He was the founder of the Christian missionary organization Christ for All Nations (Cfan).
Bonnke was born in Königsberg, East Prussia, Germany. He was born again at the age of nine and felt a call to be a missionary in Africa at the age of ten. He attended Bible College in Wales and was ordained in Germany. In 1967, he moved to Africa with his wife, Anni, to begin his missionary work.
Bonnke held large-scale evangelistic crusades in Africa, which he called “Fire Conferences.” He claimed to have seen over 79 million people converted to Christianity through his ministry. He also distributed over 95 million copies of his book, “Minus to Plus,” which is a presentation of the Christian gospel.
Bonnke died on December 7, 2019, in Orlando, Florida, at the age of 79. He was survived by his wife, Anni, and three children.
Bonnke was a controversial figure. Some critics accused him of using coercive tactics to convert people and of exaggerating the number of converts. However, he was also widely respected for his dedication to evangelism and his commitment to Africa.
Early Life and Education
Reinhard Bonnke, a renowned evangelist known for his vast evangelistic campaigns across Africa, had an early life marked by religious devotion and a call to serve as a missionary.
Born in Königsberg, East Prussia, Germany, on April 19, 1940, Reinhard Bonnke was the son of a pastor. At the tender age of nine, he experienced a life-changing moment when he accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior. This newfound faith instilled in him a deep desire to share the Gospel message with others.
As a young boy, Reinhard Bonnke felt drawn to the African continent, sensing a calling to spread the word of God there. This conviction grew stronger as he matured, and he began preparing himself for missionary work.
In pursuit of his calling, Reinhard Bonnke attended the Bible College of Wales in Swansea, Wales, where he was deeply influenced by the teachings of Samuel Rees Howells, a renowned evangelist known for his unwavering faith. Howells’ emphasis on answered prayer resonated with Bonnke, who sought a similar life of faith and reliance on God’s provision.
After graduating from Bible College, Reinhard Bonnke returned to Germany, where he served as a pastor for seven years. During this time, he honed his preaching and evangelistic skills, preparing for the immense task that lay ahead.
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Career
Reinhard Bonnke was a German-American Pentecostal evangelist, popularly known for his gospel missions throughout Africa. He is estimated to have preached to over 79 million people in his lifetime, and his ministry is credited with leading millions of Africans to Christ.
Bonnke was raised in a Christian home and was born again at the age of nine. He attended Bible college in Wales and was ordained as a Pentecostal minister in Germany in 1967. In that same year, he and his wife, Anni, moved to Africa to begin missionary work in the small mountain kingdom of Lesotho.
Bonnke’s evangelistic efforts in Africa were initially met with limited success. However, in 1974, he had a recurring dream in which he saw a map of Africa being washed with blood. He interpreted this dream as a sign from God that he was called to reach the entire continent of Africa with the gospel.
Following this dream, Bonnke founded Christ for All Nations (CfaN), an evangelistic ministry that would eventually hold massive crusades across Africa. Bonnke’s crusades were typically characterized by large crowds, powerful preaching, and reports of healings and miracles.
CfaN’s first crusade was held in Lobamba, Swaziland, in 1974. The crusade was attended by an estimated 80,000 people, and Bonnke preached to a crowd of over 30,000 people on the final night.
In the years that followed, Bonnke and his team held crusades in every country in Africa except for Ethiopia and Somalia. His largest crusade was held in Ibadan, Nigeria, in 1991, and was attended by an estimated 1.2 million people.
Bonnke’s ministry was not without controversy. Some critics accused him of using false teachings and emotional manipulation to convert people. Others criticized his large-scale evangelistic approach, arguing that it was not effective in making disciples.
Despite the criticism, Bonnke’s ministry had a profound impact on Africa. His crusades led millions of Africans to Christ, and his ministry helped to plant and grow churches across the continent. Bonnke was also a pioneer in the use of mass media to spread the gospel, and he produced several films and television programs that reached millions of people.
Bonnke retired from full-time evangelism in 2009, but he continued to preach and teach until his death in 2019. He is survived by his wife, Anni, and three children.
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Personal Life
In 1964, Bonnke married Anni Suelze, whom he met at a gospel music festival. They had three children together: Kai-Uwe, Gabriele, and Susie.
Anni Bonnke was a supportive partner to her husband throughout his ministry. She often accompanied him on his travels and helped him with his work.
Reinhard Bonnke Books
Here is a list of books written by Reinhard Bonnke:
- Evangelism by Fire: Keys for Effectively Reaching Others With the Gospel
- Living a Life of Fire: An Autobiography
- Holy Spirit: Are We Flammable Or Fireproof?
- Faith: The Link with God’s Power
- Mighty Manifestations: The Gifts and Power of the Holy Spirit
- From Minus to Plus: The Miracle of Conversion
Bonnke’s books have been translated into over 143 languages and have sold over 190 million copies worldwide. He is known for his passionate and powerful preaching, and his books have inspired countless people to live a life on fire for God.
Net Worth
Bonnke’s net worth is difficult to estimate, as he was a private person and did not disclose his financial information. However, it is likely that he was very wealthy, given the success of his ministry.
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