Reinhard Bonnke Dies At 79
Popular German-Born Evangelist, Reinhard Bonnke has died at the age of 79
His death was announced on Saturday, December 7, 2019, by his wife, Anni Bonnke in a statement also shared on Evangelist Bonnke’s verified Facebook page.
Anni said in the statement; “Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ. It is with sorrow that the Bonnke Family would like to announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, and grandfather, Evangelist Reinhard Bonnke.
“He passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on December 7, 2019. For the past 60 years, he has preached the glorious Gospel of Jesus throughout the entire world.
“We want to thank you on behalf of him and our family, for your kind love and unwavering support, which enabled him to preach the matchless message of salvation to countless people. He preached Jesus.”
The late Bonnke spent almost his entire life in ministry on the African soil
Born on April 19, 1940 in Konigsberg, East Prussia, Germany, the Pentecostal Evangelist was popularly known for his gospel missions all through the African continent.
He had been an evangelist and missionary in Africa since 1967 and oversaw 75 million recorded conversions to Christianity.
The son of an army logistics officer, Bonnke, with his mother and siblings, was taken to Denmark during the evacuation of East Prussia, and spent some years in a displaced persons centre.
He became Born Again at the tender age of nine after his mother spoke with him about a sin that he had committed. Bonnke left for missionary work in Africa at the age of 10 after confessing to having the experience of Baptism in the Holy Spirit.
After war service, his father had become a pastor and he later studied at The Bible College of Wales in Swansea, where he was inspired by the director, Samuel Rees Howells.
One of Bonnke’s regrettable experience on the mission field in Africa took place in 1991, during his visit to Kano. Unfortunately, protests and riots broke out in the city over remarks he allegedly made about Islam in Kaduna on his way to the ancient city of Kano.
A rumour had spread that Bonnke was planning to “lead an invasion” into Kano and some Muslim youths gathered at the Kofar Mata Eide-ground where they were addressed by several clerics who claimed that Bonnke was going to blaspheme Islam.
About 8,000 youths gathered at the Emir’s palace and after noon prayers the riots ensued, during which many Christians sustained various injuries and several churches were burned.
However, after the unfortunate incident, it took the late Bonnke about nine years before returning to preach in Nigeria. – With agency reports
