Dear Friends,
I have just returned from our crusade in Ethiopia and I am overwhelmed at the things that Jesus has done! This trip actually began two weeks ago when I spent three days in the Middle Eastern country of Qatar to minister. When I planned this trip, I had no contacts in Qatar but felt led to spend a few days in this Muslim nation and trust the Lord to open up doors of opportunity…and that’s exactly what happened. The week before I arrived, the Lord supernaturally connected me with some Christians in Qatar and in my short time there, I preached 3 times and saw salvation and healing take place in this Muslim country.
After a few days in Qatar, I traveled to Ethiopia, the destination for our next Gospel crusade and it was incredible to see what Jesus did. We traveled 13 hours by vehicle to the remote city of Metu, which is a strongly Muslim city. While each crusade is so wonderful and unique, there is something truly special about experiencing one of these events for the first time. On this trip we had a team of people joining us from Canada, Sweden and Italy and I’d like to share with you the report from one of those team members who was experiencing a crusade trip for the first time. Kasia is 26 and is from Saskatchewan, Canada. This is her story:
I had the opportunity to join Dr Kevin Wagner on one of his crusade trips to Ethiopia. I have often questioned Jesus’ calling on my life. Where exactly would you like me to be, Jesus? In my Christian walk I launched myself into every single ministry the church had to offer, just trying to get a taste of the disciples’ fire in Acts.
But still my heart cried out for the unbeliever. How will he know? How will he see? Matthew 28 talks about going to the nations, and by the Spirit’s guidance, nations will come to salvation.
Ethiopia Day 1: Dr Wagner said, “Too many times we are asking God for corn or clothes when we should be asking for kings and countries!” This hit my heart, because I saw in Ethiopia that the need is too big for me to be praying for food or clothes. I need to be unselfishly at work for the Kingdom of GOD: to bring nations to Jesus. I experienced God’s heart for His children and saw His power manifest in healing, joy, signs and wonders right before my eyes.
Ethiopia Day 2: I stood on the platform and God told me to go sit in the second to last row, second chair in. Being obedient, I did. God then said, “There is a woman coming and she will sit beside you; pray for her need.” Worship finished and still no woman had come through the doors. As I was about to get up, shuffling in front of me was a small woman with a scarf over her head, clothes that didn’t fit and both of her wrists were twisted and unable to function. Her face was burned, and she made eye contact with me and sat down beside me. As Dr. Wagner began to pray, I held her hands in mine and prayed earnestly, and as I hugged her tightly, I could feel her scared face right against mine. A few hours later, a member of the crusade team told me that the woman’s mother had begged for three days to make just enough money to get her clothes so she could make the long walk to this crusade to hear the Gospel. As I cried, I remembered Dr. Wagner’s quote: “Too many times we are asking God for corn or clothes when we should be asking for kings and countries!” And I prayed “Jesus give me the nations so I can tell people about you!” I witnessed the joy of new believers and the healing of tumors. I witnessed it all: the heartbreaking compassion and the explosive joy; Muslims raising their hands to turn to Jesus!
Ethiopia Day 3: I haven’t showered or talked to my family in days. The food is different, and the sun is hot. It doesn’t sound like a good time, right? But I promise you I have never felt as much joy in my entire life. As I stood in the sun laying my hands on the sick, God started to break my heart for what breaks His. What I saw Dr. Kevin and his team do for the strangers’ salvation has changed my life forever. We are called to take the focus off of ourselves and lay it all on the line for Jesus. That is exactly what they do…and what I want to do.
So many people, men, women, young and old, Muslim and tribal people—they all began to call on ONE name: Jesus! As Dr. Kevin would lead the crowd into salvation, you could feel the presence of God and the joy of the Lord wash over the field. It was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.
Ethiopia Day 4: I tried to track all the healings as they made their way to the stage to testify:
· Woman, 40, healed from painful ear liquid coming out and she couldn’t hear for 21 years. Completely healed!
· Man, 60, for three years his leg was injured and he couldn’t walk well after that; Needed a cane—Completely healed!
· Woman, 60, Tumor in her breast for one year, the size of a fist—Completely healed. And many, many more.
I am in awe of God’s great power over darkness. I prayed again, “God I want the nations! They need you Jesus.” Being with Wagner Ministries showed me that there is a need and it’s big and we need people radically stepping out of the boat and into evangelism as God leads them. For me I can confidently say: “God, I don’t want corn or clothes. Jesus give me the nations!”
Isn’t that such a fantastic testimony? I love hearing what Jesus did by viewing it through the eyes of Kasia (above), experiencing it all for the first time. In total, we had almost 100,000 people attend this 5-day crusade. We are still counting the decision cards for the many who were saved. We had 500 pastors and leaders trained at our leadership conference. There were many dramatic miracles that took place to confirm the preaching of the Gospel. Thank you for making these stories possible, and thank you, Jesus, for doing what only you can do in Ethiopia and Qatar!
For the Lost
Dr. Kevin Wagner