AS THOUGH FROM A DISTANCE. Pts. 1-2

Pt. 1

As I write this story, one of my former interns is in Lagos, Nigeria. Alyssa O. is an employee and team member of, perhaps, the most impactful Christian ministry in the history of the world, “Christ for All Nations;” led by its founder, Rev. Reinhard Bonnke. To date, this outreach boasts an amazing 80 million conversions to the Lord Jesus Christ.

While Rev. Bonnke is not all that well known in this country, he has conducted dozens of crusades overseas, and most especially on the continent of Africa. These nightly evangelistic meetings draw crowds numbering, literally, in the millions, and are held on multiplied acres of ground which, as you might guess, offers “standing room only.”

I was watching a recent broadcast of the final overseas crusade which this aging minister intends to conduct before “turning over the reins” to a subordinate evangelist; Daniel Kolenda. And as I recall, it was Rev. Kolenda who shared the following story; (which I have paraphrased here).

“In one of our past crusades in Nigeria, Reverend Bonnke turned to the subject of healing; something, I might say, in which he firmly believes. And when he finished speaking about the topic, he gave the lame, the blind, the deaf, and the sick the opportunity to exercise their faith for healing.

And given the greatness of the crowd, and the vast size of the crusade grounds, you are so very well aware our events use industrial strength loud speakers which broadcast our monologue and music for miles in any direction.

Well, it so happens that one particular lady was lying in her bed, a few hundred yards from the crusade grounds, when she heard Reverend Bonnke speak about healing, as well as his prayer for those in the crowd who needed the touch of Jesus.”

Pt. 2

“I have not told you yet, but this precious lady was very ill. You see, she was suffering from stage four cancer, and had very little time left to live. However, when she heard that Jesus could heal, and when she heard the inspiring prayer, she was overwhelmed with the sense that Jesus wanted to heal her; and she felt compelled to exercise her faith.

As a result, “Jabari” struggled to get out of her sick bed, and to stand up. She finally managed to stand, but a few moments later, she was overcome with weakness, and slumped to the floor. Again, the middle-aged woman attempted to get up, but she could only lay there in a helpless heap.

Suddenly, it was as though two invisible hands grasped Jabari beneath her armpits, and aided her in what seemed such an impossible task. And as she rose from the ground, the little lady sensed a rush of energy which permeated her entire body, and she knew that she knew. Jabari had been marvelously healed of that awful disease which threatened to rob her of decades of life.

Having stood to her feet, the woman realized she could still hear the voice booming from that distant loud speaker, and she simply would not be denied. Jabari almost ran towards her front door, and went out into the night. She had to make it to the Gospel meeting. She had to tell the masses of people what great things God had done for her. And it seemed the further she walked, the faster her pace; as healing overcame her tiny body.

And finally, she reached the outskirts of that great crowd of people, and she desperately and deliberately pushed her way through the throng. Having arrived at the stage, Jabari told one of the crusade counselors  what great things God had done for her. And therefore, she was ushered up onto the stage to share her amazing testimony.”

And need I say? Jabari’s testimony touched the hearts and minds of countless souls in that evangelistic meeting, and it will continue to be shared by those who were there to strengthen the faith of those who were not.

 “I tell you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” (Luke 11:9-10)

by William McDonald, PhD. Excerpt from (Mc)Donald's Daily Diary. Pt. 72. Copyright Pending.

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