The Contributions of Reinhard Bonnke in Africa: A Review

Role of Media in The Contributions of Reinhard Bonnke

Where Is It And Who Or What Is It About?

What Is Happening?

Is This a Relatively New Issue Or Has This Been Going On For a While?

Are They Similar Historical Issues?

How Long Has The Issue Been Going On?

Who Is Writing It? And For What Audience?

Why Does The Author Write The Way Do They Have a Strong Opinion About The Topic?

What Is The Perspective Of The Article?

The impact of Christianity was spreading all across the world after European colonizers began to expand their dominance in various countries and continents. Europe was not an exception in that as well. In this paper, the role and contribution of Reinhard Bonnke, the German evangelist will be discussed with the help of several secondary sources. His life and death and his overall contribution had completely changed the face of Christianity in African countries. He had operated in Africa to spread his gospel missions He was also known as ‘Billy Graham of Africa’ because of his proactive contributions in African countries.

The media houses have presented deep insight into how Reinhard Bonnke’s contribution could be made better. The journals published during that time and later on have provided the insight into the matter in a large degree. Media understood that the person had very deep sense humility. This humble nature had helped the people to be attracted towards him. Media personnel across the world believed that it was amazing how he could relate himself with Africa though he was a German by birth. As per historical records, the racial conflicts between Europe and Africa were immense. 

In this scenario, he worked as the bridge to narrow down the issues. He was very optimistic about the fact that he could erase all the gaps that had existed between Africa and Europe. Culture and religion were the two things that would help the two continents to know each other. Unlike the other Europeans of his time, he trusted the Africans since he loved them and he loved the African continent also. Journalists showed the fact to everyone that Reinhard Bonnke was not that kind of person who always portrayed himself as the white skinned man from Europe. Rather he believed in humanity and showed his trust on all the human beings. Skin color, religion and ethnic background did not matter to him. Thus media was very positive about the approach of Reinhard Bonnke toward Africa.

Oratory and Influence of Reinhard Bonnke

The digital media also gave the positive feedback about him because he was very passionate about Africa and he always wanted to pursue his dream of working in Africa and spread his message of Christianity everywhere. The journalists have opined that he always believed in the messages of Jesus. He asserted that Jesus Himself was the creator of all living beings. Therefore, it was always appropriate to serve all the human beings and creatures. This was the value of humanity and no ethnic constraints should come in its way. Media personnel have also drawn the comparison of Reinhard Bonnke with other postcolonial evangelists of the time. Probably he was the only person from Europe to dedicate all his life for the betterment of Africa. According to the media critics, this was his biggest achievement since he was very much optimistic about the development of Africa.

Most of the media critics have expressed their positive reviews about Reinhard Bonnke’s role in the development of Africa. The media houses also gave him the title of Billy Graham of Africa for his contributions. Through these achievements, it is absolutely necessary that he had a great following by media houses. They opined that contributions of Reinhard Bonnke had brought Europe and Africa coloser. This was the beginning of bridging the gap between the two continents precisely. His risk taking attributes have been praised by media houses. His ability to keep away the racial attributes from his thought process has been the main ingredients for his achievements.  His works had opened the doors for the cooperation between other continents as per the media.

It should not be forgotten that Reinhard Bonnke was a great orator and his brilliance in this art is known to everyone. They opine that he was not capable of performing such miracles. These were the similar kind of influences that had been created by Holy Mother Teresa in India. Due to the activities performed by Bonnke, it has been estimated that five countries will be there in the top 10 projected countries with major Christian population by the end of 2050. These five countries are DR Congo, Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania and Nigeria.  One of the people who worked under him as the international director was Stephen Mutua. He was there with Bonnke from 1986 and 2009. He mentioned the communal riots taking place at Muslim Kano in Nigeria. This event took place in the year 2009. This was due to the reason that Muslim population in the country was very infuriated at the perspective of Bonnke being able to get permission of holding the crusade. The religious scenario and dynamics was understood by Reinhard Bonnke in the best manner. This is why he could persuade numerous people under his influence. Though his views, claims and activities were very controversial at some point of time, it cannot be dined that he had established his influence on millions of people indeed. He was responsible for holding numerous events in Africa and other parts of the world. These were essential for improving his acceptance among common people.

It was very clear that people in Africa were torn and ragged bacuse of poor economic conditions, poverty, hunger, malnutrition and poor hygienic conditions. He came forward to help all those people with medicines and clothes so they could live a better life. According to the critics, influence of Reinhard Bonnke was so immense that people began to trust all the things blindly that he claimed. He used to conduct meetings throughout the city that saw a congregation of more than 1 million people with the help of towering sound programming systems. The podiums were designed properly so everyone could see him and take his blessings. As a matter of fact, it is essential to mention that 185 million copies of CfAN literature had been published containing the preaching messages of Reinhard Bonnke. This literature or sermon had been printed in 103 languages and printed in more than 50 countries.

Conclusion

Reinhard Bonnke’s contributions cannot be forgotten by Africa since he was one of the most impactful persons in the religious history of Africa. He was so much popular that African people from countries like Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa carried on his legacy on their shoulders. The controversies regarding his claims have also been discussed in this paper. He stood as the sole figure that was responsible for Africans’ transformation into Christianity.

References

Bbc.com. 2019. "The Man Who Changed The Face Of Christianity In Africa". BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-50781193.

Cfan.org. 2020. "Christ For All Nations". Christ For All Nations. https://cfan.org/reinhard-bonnke.

Eddy, Melissa. 2019. "Reinhard Bonnke, The ‘Billy Graham Of Africa,’ Dies At 79". Nytimes.Com. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/11/world/africa/reinhard-bonnke-dead.html.

Parke, Caleb. 2019. "Reinhard Bonnke, Christian Evangelist Called 'The Billy Graham Of Africa,' Dead At 79". Fox News. https://www.foxnews.com/faith-values/reinhard-bonnke-christian-evangelist-called-the-billy-graham-of-africa-dead-at-79.