So when Evangelist Reinhard Bonnke stood on the grounds of the Vero Beach Airport proclaiming “All America Shall Be Saved” in early February 2013, the declaration demanded my attention. After all, this is the same German evangelist who declared “All Africa Shall Be Saved” and witnessed more than 55 million African souls make a decision to renounce Islam, witchcraft and other strange gods—and commit to follow Jesus Christ—in just a nine-year period. 55 million souls.
Despite the judgment prophecies, despite the rising gay agenda, despite the increasing persecution against Christianity in the United States, Bonnke made a bold declaration for the devils in Vero Beach and beyond to hear that night: “All America Shall Be Saved.”
As I sat listening with my spiritual ears to Bonnke announcing that the Vero Beach Gospel Fest is the beginning of something greater, tears filled my eyes and hope filled my heart. And when Bonnke said the Holy Spirit spoke to him about going to other cities around the United States and filling stadiums, I began to see prophetically the magnitude of what was unfolding in that very moment.
It’s been prophesied that Florida is a “forerunner state.” John the Baptist was a forerunner—a voice crying in the wilderness who was called to prepare the way of the Lord and make His paths straight (Mark 1:3). And just a few feet in front of me stood one of the most effective soul-winners in church history—in the so-called “forerunner state”—talking about how the Holy Spirit was going to launch him out from here to the nation. Again, declaring “All America Shall Be Saved!”
We know that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved (Rom. 10:13). But it was clear by the masses that flooded the altar that night—some of them weeping and others falling to their knees in repentance—that many Americans have never heard the simple gospel of Christ. They have seen the picture of the Last Supper hanging up in grandma’s house. They have channel-surfed past TV preachers pontificating on prosperity. They have visited a local church on Christmas and Easter. Yet too many have never heard the pure gospel of Christ.
Could that be because the American church culture largely prizes headcounts over heart change and therefore pushes programs instead of clear gospel presentations? Don’t get me wrong. I’m not suggesting that we craft every Sunday morning message with a purely evangelistic thrust. Believers need the meat of the Word to grow. But what are these meat-eating believers doing between Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. when the church doors close and the next Sunday morning at 10 a.m. when the church doors open again?
In other words, what are our local churches doing to present the simple gospel of Christ in the neighborhoods in which God has established our congregation? Many are doing great works. But many of us need to break out of the four walls of our air-conditioned building and reach out to the lost and unchurched in the name of Jesus. Too many of us are cozied up in the comfort of our Christian social club in the name of religion. And that’s why Bonnke’s anointed words so penetrated my heart and revived hope in my soul.
For every prophecy about judgment on America, there seems to be another prophecy about a revival, renewal or awakening. The Lord has spoken to me—and many others—about another Great Awakening. Nearly six years ago, He told me it would grow darker before the light shines brightly in this nation again. It has indeed grown darker. I believe it will grow darker still, but the darkness will not overpower the light.
Evangelism brings the light of the gospel to darkened souls who don’t understand what’s truly at stake—their eternal position. Could it be possible that Bonnke’s declarations from a small airport field in Vero Beach could be the spark that sets off a fire of evangelism in this nation? Could it be possible that even as we see signs of God’s discipline upon our nation that the Holy Spirit could begin sweeping from coast to coast in response to years of prayer for revival? Could it be possible that what occurred at the Gospel Fest was a prophetic declaration of God’s will in this hour?
I believe so. I’ve attended a lot of meetings. I’ve listened to a lot of sermons. I’ve witnessed a lot of prayer rallies. But nothing moved me like Bonnke’s declaration of God’s will: “All America Shall Be Saved.” Imagine how the culture would shift if 55 million Americans made a decision for Christ in the next nine years? Lord, show mercy on this nation, stretch out your hand of protection over this land, fill stadiums with lost souls who need to hear the simple gospel, and save souls, in the name of Jesus! Amen.
Jennifer LeClaire is news editor at Charisma. She is also the author of several books, including Did the Spirit of God Say That? You can email Jennifer at jennifer.leclaire@charismamedia.com
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