Evangelist Reinhard Bonnke Dedicates Sanctuary in Kenya, Celebrating a New Beginning That Started Long Ago

[Reinhard Bonnke invited as the main speaker of Kenya churches grand opening]

Reverend Teresia Wairimu welcomed long-time friend, CfaN founder, and global evangelist, Reinhard Bonnke, as the main speaker at the grand opening and dedication of her new Ezra Temple sanctuary and Faith Evangelistic Ministry (FEM) Family Church in Karen, a suburb of Nairobi, Kenya. Reverend Wairimu calls the new church “a beacon here in Kenya for the revival that God has in store for our land and beyond.”

While the Sanctuary dedication took place on Sunday, August 14, 2016, the roots of Christ’s influence in Kenya and beyond, planted by both Reinhard Bonnke and Reverend Wairimu, trace back to 1988. In fact, as Rev. Wairimu began her dedication to Evangelism in 1989, Reinhard Bonnke was already ministering to form her future congregation members. Reverend Bonnke tells this story from the day of the FEM church dedication only a few weeks ago:

“While in Nairobi, Reverend [Teresia] Wairimu introduced me to a young man, named after me, Bonnke. His story is amazing. In 1988 during our Nairobi Crusade, a lady came for prayer who had an enormous tumor in her womb, but was also pregnant. After prayer the miracle happened: The tumor dried up and the baby was born. The mother called her son Bonnke, who is now a pilot and very much on fire for Jesus.”

A seed of healing Reinhard Bonnke planted in 1988—just as Reverend Wairimu also began her years-long dedication to the Evangelical Ministry in 1989—came full circle as Rev. Wairimu’s long-awaited efforts with the new Sanctuary were realized earlier this month, a celebration at which the two men named Bonnke were able to meet and shake hands.

[Reverend Teresia Wairimu]

 Also in 1989, two missionary evangelists moved from Zimbabwe to the United States. These were the parents of a recent contestant on NBC’s The Voice, singing sensation Brian Nhira, age 24, part of an even younger generation anointed by Bonnke’s ministry to this day. Nhira, recently interviewed before his performance at Reinhard Bonnke-led Oklahoma Crusade only six days after the church dedication event in Nairobi, said this:

“Reinhard Bonnke is one of my heroes. When I was in Uganda, working at an orphanage, I read all 630 pages of his autobiography. I’ve read a lot of his books. He had literally a million people at some of his African crusades.”

During Evangelist Bonnke’s more than 40 years of ministry that has touched generations, Rev. Teresia Wairimu has been a guest speaker at his School of Evangelism numerous times, helping to teach the power of spreading God’s word. Her efforts have now created a new beginning recognized by many as an important moment in Nairobi’s future growth in Christ. Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta, the current President of Kenya, honored the event with his attendance. Another quote from Evangelist Bonnke about the day:

“President Kenyatta was present, plus people from 16 countries. The meeting was countrywide live on Citizen TV. The Gospel rung out across the whole nation. Sister Teresia said that I had preached that hour to many more Kenyans than ever before. Decisions [for Christ] were everywhere. God is blessing Evangelist Teresia Wairimu in a most amazing manner. She has great favor with God and man and her anointing breaks through all barriers.”

Through the dedication of this sanctuary, it’s clear that Reverend Teresia Wairimu’s ministry will continue to prosper, and her opportunity to carry the word of God ever-forward in Kenya will only grow, continuing to nurture seeds planted by herself and by Evangelist Bonnke for many years to come.