The Decision Card Count is in! – Freetown, Sierra Leon

Taiwan’s industrial and economical boom in the last half of the 20th century has been dubbed the “Taiwan Miracle.” Another, more enduring, miracle occurred in Taiwan, though, as the Fire of the Holy Spirit and the transformative power of the Gospel touched a nation.

Last year’s Christ for all Nations’ 2008 Taiwan Fire Conference was like a match to dry wood. With the team’s return to Taiwan this year, it was evident from the opening notes of worship that the flame was still burning strongly. Those present at last year’s meetings could see the difference from the start. The Taiwanese Christians were passionate in their participation and hungry for all that they could receive from the Lord. Exuberant expressions of worship and a readiness to receive the Word from Evangelists Bonnke and Kolenda signified that the Taiwanese Christians had remained aflame throughout the past year…now, ignition would not be necessary, but throwing on the oil of the Holy Spirit would intensify those flames and continue to strengthen the church in Taiwan.

“Oh, for eloquence to plead the cause of China, for a pencil dipped in fire to paint the condition of this people…” ~ Hudson Taylor, missionary to China

One year ago, Christ for all Nation’s Hong Kong Fire Conference made history as the largest gathering of Chinese Christian leaders ever – 5,000 assembling from all regions of China. Remarkably, this year’s conference surpassed that record as 8,500 Christians traveled from mainland China to be part of the Fire Conference.

Hungry for the Word of God and the Fire of the Holy Spirit, the Chinese Christians were not disappointed, as the Lord met them there. Like Jesus promised in Matthew 5:6, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness: for they shall be filled.”

A full session of worship jumpstarted the three-day event. The Chinese praise group, Melody of My Heart, came together from around the world to minister. Expressions of exuberant praise transformed the AsiaWorld-Expo into the largest church these humble yet hungry Christians had ever experienced.

Have you ever woke up and wondered, “What country am I in?” Well…welcome to my life. I finally figured out that I am in China:-) – Hong Kong to be exact and our campaign here begins tomorrow.

Thousands of pastors and church leaders are arriving from all over mainland China, and we are all bracing for a powerful three days. The days will consist of impartation and equipping for the leaders, and in the evenings, open evangelistic meetings will be held in the stadium. Please keep us in your prayers and check back for daily updates.

We have just returned from the last meeting of this Gospel campaign here in Ibadan, Nigeria and we are all on cloud-nine. The attendance peaked tonight at 500,000 priceless souls, each one eternally valuable because Christ sought them in pain, blood and love. He wants them, even at the cost of the death-rack of the cross. The title deeds of His purchase are in His hands – His wounds. If we were sensitive to such extremities to seek and save the lost, would we want anything except what He wants?

“Christ love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and those who live should no longer live for themselves.” (2 Corinthians 5:14-15)

Have a look at the incredible picture attached! The crowd seemed almost endless. The Gospel was received with great joy and then came the miracles.

The view tonight was surreal. 350,000 people crowded onto the field, every one with needs that they came expecting Jesus to meet. Evangelist Reinhard Bonnke took the microphone and began to preach. The message of the Gospel was crystal clear: “…Turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God.” Then he prayed for the mighty crowd to be filled with the Holy Spirit and Jesus was true to His word, baptizing thousands of hungry souls in His fire – just as He did this morning in the packed fire conference (picture attached).

The other picture is of a woman who was instantly healed tonight after being unable to lift her arm for 5 months. We preach the full-Gospel which is all encompassing; salvation, healing, deliverance and the infilling of the Holy Spirit. In Scripture, the Gospel is never mere doctrine, abstract thought, but always takes shape in some vivid mercy, culminating supremely in Christ’s death and resurrection. “While we were still sinners Christ died for us…” (Romans 5:8)

Tonight’s attendance climbed to 300,000 in Ibadan. It was an awesome meeting. God’s glory rested on young and old like a wonderful but heavy weight. What an altar-call and what outpouring of the healing-mercies of Jesus. Evangelist Daniel Kolenda ministered tonight with a great authority and we heard many wonderful testimonies:

A woman with cervical cancer for 3 years suddenly had a discharge last night during the payer and has not had any more pain since! Another woman had a triple miracle; she was healed of a skin infection, malaria and a crippled hand all at once tonight! Also, have a look at the attached picture of a woman who was barren before the last Ibadan crusade in 2001. She was healed and conceived that same month. She has had two other children since…praise the Lord!

Tonight the crowd grew to 250,000 souls hungry for the Bread of Life. The cross was lifted high and the people responded with resounding voices: “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me.” What a joy to preach the Gospel!

Afterwards the miraculous began to break out including a 7-year-old boy, dumb from birth, who spoke tonight for the first time. Also see the attached picture of a tiny, 1-year-old baby that had been unable to sit until tonight…Praise the Lord!

The Fire Conference started today as well with many thousands of delegates who gathered from 6:00 in the morning, eager to receive the Fire of God. Tomorrow we continue the meetings that will culminate on Saturday with a mighty outpouring of Holy Spirit Fire! Please continue to pray for us.

Have a look at the attendance picture of tonight. We were simply overwhelmed. The Lord is so good. I preached on the Blood of Jesus. The result? A huge altar-call! Then Daniel Kolenda prayed for the sick and a whole flood of miracles took place. Asthma, Fibroids and all sorts of pain vanished. The crowd was jubilant. It was a good start and we expect much more in the days to follow.

Some have suggested that we are “addicted to big numbers.” Yes! Shouldn’t we all be? Jesus spoke of evangelizing every creature in the whole world. “Every creature!” There are an awful lot, almost more than seven billion at present. Any noticeable Gospel impact on the world would mean big numbers. One can’t empty the ocean with a spoon. And a big nut needs a big spanner.

Our Arrival into Ibadan was glorious. Thousands of people ran out to welcome us as we drove into town. Our first stop was at the Governors palace. He is a Christian and welcomed us heartily. He said that when Evangelist Bonnke was here 8 years ago, he was a local goverment chairman (a very low government position). But after evangelist Bonnke prayed for him he became the Governor of one of the most powerful states in Nigeria. It is truly the Lord that exalts.

From there we made a courtesy call on the King at the palace and then on to the pastor’s banquet in the evening. Again we heard over and over how the Lord had used the last crusade to bless Ibadan greatly. The arch bishop said that it had been the key to the explosion of Christianity in the region. (The election of the states first Christian governor is evidence of this) The churches are now unified, he said. The influence of the Body of Christ is significant in the region and the churches have grown and prospered. They see all of this as being linked to the last Ibadan crusade in 2001.

Here’s my definition of evangelism:

Evangelism is the communication of the Good News, in the power of the Holy Spirit, with the intention of producing repentance from dead works and faith in Jesus, resulting in an enduring faithfulness to Christ and His Body.

Do you have a better one or an improvement to this one?