Oyo, Nigeria - Reinhard Bonnke
October 8, 2003
Oyo, Nigeria Reinhard Bonnke
Written by: Adrian Bradshaw
This was the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes (Mark 12:11)
It was the incredible sparkle in his eyes, and the broad, generous smile, that made this young man immediately likeable. He ascended the steps to the platform with a jaunty air, and as he gave his testimony, it was easy to understand why he was so excited and happy. For three years he had been carried around in a wheelbarrow! Now, he carried a small walking stick, but was able to walk around the platform comfortably without it. He had been healed at the Gospel campaign in Ogbomosho, but wanted to testify publicly about his healing, and to give God the glory.
The combine-harvester was once again underway, this time in Oyo, a small city some two hours drive north of Lagos. Reinhard and his convoy had a pre-official meeting with many of the local inhabitants, when because of its sheer length, the convoy was halted for a short while until the police had managed to restore the way through the crowd! At the official reception, Reinhard and the team were welcomed to Oyo and, after prayers for the local dignitaries, Reinhard prayed for the two princes and the princess, all teenagers. In the evening there was the welcome dinner for the whole team. During the welcome speech, some of the history of the Oyo Empire was recounted. Oyo had exercised great political influence over the Yoruba people for a long time, but today the lands lie fallow and most of the people have left, seeking more fertile areas. The city is economically poor, with little or no industry. Spiritually, it is generally believed that an ancient curse on the Yoruba race had affected all the Yorubas in general, but Oyo and its environs in particular. This curse is said to manifest itself in sharp disagreement whenever anything that is going to bring good to the land is discussed. The Christians in the land had come together and united for this Gospel Campaign in order to break this curse.
During the morning devotions on Wednesday, Reinhard expounded James 2 to the team, and focused upon the fact that in verse 19 it can be seen that it is the devils' job to tremble, whereas the believer is called to be triumphant. There was certainly a lot of trembling and triumph during this last Gospel Campaign of the season.
The simplicity of the Gospel was clearly presented from Revelation 3:20 on the first night of the campaign which some 150,000 people attended, many of whom responded to the call of salvation. Signs and wonders followed the preaching of the Word. Many miracles took place amongst the crowd, evidenced by clusters of excitement which broke out within eyeshot. Amongst those who testified that night was an old man who had been blind in his right eye, yet now, with his left eye covered, had no difficulty in seeing and catching a white handkerchief waved before him. A young man stepped forward testifying that he had been healed at the Owo Campaign from HIV Aids, and he produced a medical certificate that stated that he was now HIV negative. To God alone be the glory!
Oyo's Fire Conference
As in all Gospel Campaigns, delegates from the participating churches are encouraged to register and participate in the Fire Conference. This is so that they, the active workers in the local areas, can be taught about the importance, significance, and necessity of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit, without which there is no power to witness. The Oyo Fire Conference was no exception, as with dramatic and dynamic teaching from both Reinhard and Peter van den Berg, the delegates were thoroughly prepared for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Saturday. They had been taught to reach out and pick up the "mantle of responsibility" as Elisha had done when Elijah was taken up to heaven in a whirlwind. By this act, Elisha took upon himself the responsibility for demonstrating the power of God. On the Saturday morning, what an outpouring there was, as 25,000 dry and thirsty souls reached out for the "Promise of the Father." They were filled with power of God and now had the responsibility of demonstrating this power throughout the towns and villages of Oyo land. CfaN came and left, but the power of God remained!
Each successive evening the crowd grew in size as did the number of those who, having heard the Good News of the Savior, actively decided upon being one of His followers. By the end of the campaign, 717,864 precious souls had responded to the call of salvation and returned decision cards. The unmerited favor of God that poured out over this sea of people was only to the honor and glory of the One who made salvation possible - the Lord Jesus Christ.
Signs and Wonders Mr. Tafa Alabi testifies that he can see after 5 years of blindness
Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds. 2 Corinthians 12:12
How did the writers of the Gospels report the mighty works done by the Lord Jesus? Simply by stating generic cases as in this reference in Matthew's Gospel:
"Then great multitudes came to Him, having with them the lame, blind, mute, maimed, and many others; and they laid them down at Jesus' feet, and He healed them." Matthew 15:30
The Gospels bring the Good News of Jesus Christ, and the Gospel Campaigns make the Good News real for as many as the Lord God touches, both spiritually with a new birth, or physically with a healing touch. The blind see; the lame walk; the deaf hear; the dumb speak. What can anyone say except: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes.
Amongst those who were touched by God's healing hand, the following were some of those who managed to reach the platform and testify to God's goodness (there were many others).An old lady, who had not been able to see or walk without assistance, saw Reinhard's waving handkerchief, and walked alone on the platform. A young girl who suffered from convulsions for 13 years and could only crawl on the floor, now stood erect and walked. An old man who had been blind for 5 years and could not move his shoulders, saw and then touched Reinhard's hair and followed him around the platform.
A young man, who because of a head injury had been incapable of speech for eight years, now spoke, sang, and witnessed to the crowd. A retired pastor had been on his way to the campaign ground, when he fell and injured his knee. Following an X-ray of this knee it was found that the knee-cap had broken in two. He brought the X-ray film to show the damage and then walked around the platform, completely healed.
An old lady, who had not been able to see or walk without assistance, saw Reinhard's waving handkerchief, and walked alone on the platform.
A young girl who suffered from convulsions for 13 years and could only crawl on the floor, now stood erect and walked.
An old man who had been blind for 5 years and could not move his shoulders, saw and then touched Reinhard's hair and followed him around the platform.
A young man, who because of a head injury had been incapable of speech for eight years, now spoke, sang, and witnessed to the crowd.
A retired pastor had been on his way to the campaign ground, when he fell and injured his knee. Following an X-ray of this knee it was found that the knee-cap had broken in two. He brought the X-ray film to show the damage and then walked around the platform, completely healed. Retired and now re-fired!
At the Sunday communion service with the whole team, Reinhard prayed personally for all the CfaN Prayer Partners and financial supporters world-wide, without whom these mighty Gospel Campaigns would not be possible. It is a team effort!
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