Our pastors really need to learn how to let go like Bonnke just did.
Nigerian pastors need to learn to handover like Bonnke just did to Kolenda (businessdayonline)
As the name implies, it was his last time preaching and crusading in Nigeria and Africa. Pretty remarkable, right?
Well, this was not the only special thing about this revival. What was really interesting was the fact that he used the crusade as an opportunity to hand over to his successor, Evangelist Daniel Kolenda.
Bonke succeeds in doing what Nigerian pastors won’t do
Bonnke's last crusade in Africa (cfan)
Let’s take a few minutes to let this sink in.
We can hear you asking, ‘wait, did a powerful man who has had a successful, powerful ministry for the last 50 years just hand over all that to someone else?’ Yes, he did.
Bonke succeeds in doing what Nigerian pastors won’t do
Bonnke hands over to his successor, Evangelist Daniel Kolenda (facebook/evangelistreinhardbonnke)
While this may be a strange concept to a lot of Nigerian Christians who have never seen this in their entire lives, it does happen and for good reason.
According to Bonnke, “The Lord spoke to me, that I should go back for one more crusade in Africa. I want not only to see a gigantic harvest of souls but TO PASS MY BURNING TORCH to this generation.”
Instead of staying past his prime and reaping all the benefits that come with his position, the evangelist chose to obey God. This message could not have at a better time as Bonnke is now 77 years old with loads of grandchildren.
Bonke succeeds in doing what Nigerian pastors won’t do
Bonnke is now 76 years old (charismanews)
His obedience led to the “passing the Burning Torch” conference where many ministers across Africa, including his successor, all came to receive Bonnke’s annointing.
Bonnke is holding his last crusade in Lagos, Nigeria
Bonnke is holding his last crusade in Lagos, Nigeria (cfanweb)
Dear Nigerian Pastors
There is a reason why there was a handover of Elijah’s mantle of ministry to Elisha, who did even greater works, in the Bible.
At some point, leading Men of God need to listen to God, their bodies and realise that it is time to handover to the next generation.
This forces these big pastors to do the necessary work in coaching potential successors, eventually leading to more, better-equipped preachers, and we all become the better for it.
In the recent history of Nigerian ministry, there have only been two times that big pastors handed over to others.
The first is when Rev. Josiah Akindayomi, who founded the Redeemed Church of God (RCCG) in 1952, handed it over to Enoch A. Adeboye, who was only a young lecturer at the time.
Josiah is the founder and first General Overseer Of RCCG
Josiah is the founder and first General Overseer Of RCCG (naijadetails)
Like Bonnke, Josiah choice was based on God’s instructions. In spite of the many potential candidates, he relied on the Holy Spirit who told him that Dr Adeboye, a senior lecturer in Mathematics in the University of Lagos, UNILAG and University of Ilorin, UNILORIN, would take over.
Adeboye resisted becoming the G.O of RCCG
Adeboye resisted becoming the G.O of RCCG (thenewsnigeria)
An elder said: “Pa Akindayomi was quoted as saying; ‘Omowe haun haun, lo ma gba ise lowo wa” — meaning ‘my successor is a complete intellectual with sound education’. The members, therefore, started picking on every new member with sound education as the likely next general overseer. Like Jesse in the Bible, they were all wrong.
“The day our Daddy G.O entered into the church for the first time in 1973, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Pa Akindayomi announced to the congregation that his successor has joined the church that day. He visited Daddy G.O that same day for follow up as RCCG is known for”.
Second is when Pastor Enoch A. Adeboye named Pastor Joshua Obayemi, as the new national leader of RCCG.
Pastor Adeboye resigns and appoints Pastor Obayemi as the national overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG)
Pastor Adeboye resigns and appoints Pastor Obayemi as the national overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) (pulse)
Some might argue that he only did this because of the controversial Corporate Governance Code by the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRC).
The troublesome code prescribed a maximum period of 20 years in Office for heads of registered Churches, Mosques and Civil Society Organisations.
Pulse List 2017: 7 religious controversial moments of the year
People see Government regulation as evidence of FG's interference in church affairs (bellanajia)
The FRC tried to enforce this code but it was met with a lot of resistance from churches and known personalities . It was eventually suspended.
Still, it led to Pastor Adeboye naming his successor while he retained the Daddy G.O status, with worldwide attached to it.
Why is it so important for our pastors to hand over?
A ministry is like every other thing, it needs to always have someone in charge.
What happens when this person dies unexpectedly or something happens? The entire church is thrown is into confusion as everyone tries to lead. Ever heard the saying, ‘too many cooks spoil the broth?’
This is what you get in a church with no leader
This is what you get in a church with no leader (picturequotes)
Pastors need to realise when it is time to name their successor. They need to do this when they still have the energy so that they can groom the person properly or at least bless them like Bonnke did for Kolenda.
We can only hope that our pastors learn this much-needed lesson from this powerful, wise evangelist.
Know when it is time and let go, we beg you