Last week, Evangelist Reinhard Bonnke (pictured) went to be with the Lord, which is Christian-speak for transitioned, passed on or in simple died. A beloved global figure, Bonnke is said to have converted over 75 million people to Christianity in the course of his lifetime.
On and off stage, those who knew him testify of his personal integrity and great humility. As head of an organisation called Christ For All Nations (CFAN), he believed in drawing the line between what was God’s and what was his.
He would not write a personal note to a friend or issue a personal cheque with CFAN pens believing them to be God’s property.
Bonnke wielded tremendous soft power which he used for the betterment of mankind and the advancement of Christianity. When he first came to Kenya in 1998, the president ordered all stations to broadcast live his entire crusade.
Schools within the city were given a weekend off to attend his meetings.
A story is told of how a West African dictator on his way home saw Bonnke hosting a meeting with a mammoth crowd in attendance.
There were close to half a million people. For three nights that followed, the dictator attended the crusade, but at an inconspicuous distance. He was shocked that the crowd swelled on each successive night.
Impressed by Bonnke, the dictator offered him a cash gift of 2 million dollars to “continue the good work”.
To his amazement, the gift was politely declined and was never accepted even after repeated efforts over the years.
Another tale is regaled of how, during a financial scandal that rocked Germany, investigators decided to audit political parties and faith-based organisations.
They went to CFAN offices unannounced. Bonnke happened to be in. The staff, including Bonnke, were herded into a common room and told that they couldn’t leave.
They were provided with food and clothing for four days. At the end of the in-depth audit, no impropriety was found within the organisation or on Bonnke himself.
In fact, it was discovered that CFAN owed Bonnke in unclaimed allowances, monies he never collected up to his demise.
Some pictures emerge. The first is that the church in Kenya is a far cry from that which Bonnke typified.
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Many pastors are in ministry for self-advancement. Instead of obeying Jesus’s edict to feed the flock, they feed on the flock through nefarious schemes designed to shake-down congregants.
Some of these include endless building funds and manipulation from the pulpit designed to line the coffers of the men of the cloth. Little wonder then that unlike Bonnke, clergymen consort with crooked politicians and are often the recipients of illicit funds disguised as church-building funds.
The second is that the present-day church is conceited, arrogant and sanctimonious. A study of a number of mainstream churches will reveal them to be obsessed with the trappings of wealth manifested in the so-called “prosperity gospel.”
Big cars, retinues of bodyguards and ostentatious lifestyles are the rage, as if to say, the flashier one is, the closer to God they are.
This is a radical departure from Bonnke who was known for his humility. He wore his heart on his sleeve and made his intentions plain, leaving no room for second-guessing or conjecture about where his priorities lay; the winning of souls for Jesus.
Positive change
Third, contrary to popular belief, one need not to be a politician or be in government to bring about positive change in the lives of citizens.
Bonnke’s ability to draw millions outside political circles reflects the Kenyan church of the 80s and 90s. The institution, then led by fearless clergymen, spoke truth to power and helped usher in an unprecedented increase of democratic space or “the second liberation”.
At the moment there is talk of changing the constitution. Is it not possible, like Bonnke or the late bishops Muge, Okullu and Gitari, for our clergymen to influence change outside of the three arms of government, and especially, the executive?
But such influence can only be exerted by people with moral ascendancy, paragons of virtue who are exemplars of honest living. These must of necessity, be people who have a demonstrated record of humility and service, who then can act as moral beacons in a country where a tremendous trust gulf exists between leaders and citizens. Can these people stand up please?
Mr Khafafa is a public policy analyst
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