Popular evangelist and founder of Christ for all Nations (CfaN) Reinhard Bonnke, has passed away at the age of 79.
According to his family, he was surrounded by loved ones and passed away peacefully on Saturday. His death was announced in a statement signed by his wife, Anni Bonnke and shared on Bonnke’s verified Facebook page on Saturday, December 7, 2019.
“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.”
Bonnke preached to hundreds of millions of people, especially in Africa throughout his 60-year career. In October 2017, Bonnke held a farewell crusade to 1.7 million people in Nigeria.
The evangelist handed over leadership of Christ for All Nations to evangelist Daniel Kolenda due to his "health challenges."
"I don't want it to fall, I want it to go just seamlessly continue and rise. The world is so big and God gave me Daniel Kolenda and I am very very happy," Bonkke said.
He was well-known for his massive crusades in Africa where he has inspired 77 million people to make decisions for Christ for the last 35 years. Bonnke spent several years developing the 'Full Flame Film Series,' a series of eight inspirational films aimed at inspiring and challenging the church to Holy Spirit evangelism.
He leaves behind his wife Anni, their children Kai-Uwe, Gabrielle, and Susie, and eight grandchildren.