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INTRODUCTION
RELEVANCE OF THE STUDY
The study is on the lasting legacy of Nicholas Bhekinkosi Hepworth Bhengu, one of Africa’s greatest pioneers.
In 1950 Bhengu established the Back to God Crusade which he used to launch evangelistic campaigns in Port Elizabeth and East London, and elsewhere in Southern Africa including Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Lesotho, Nambia, Mozambique and Botswana. Bhengu also preached in numerous other countries in Africa. His ministry extended beyond the borders of Africa into overseas countries such as Sweden, Norway, the United Sates of America, Germany, Canada, Scotland and Japan.
During his lifetime he planted more than 2000 churches in South Africa and neighbouring countries. Bhengu taught his churches to be self- governing, self-supporting and self-propagating, at a time when the majority of black churches depended on support from sending countries overseas. He also established a women’s movement that still raises millions of rand for the Back to God Crusade which, driven by Bhengu’s vision to go from Cape to Cairo, preaches the gospel in Southern Africa. Bhengu’s influence went beyond his own church, the Assemblies of God; he was a catalyst in keeping the fires of evangelism and mission burning during some of the most tumultuous years in the history of South Africa: socially, economically and politically.
Bhengu’s ministry spans a period of five decades, beginning in Nelspruit, Swaziland and Benoni in the Transvaal. It was however during his stay in Port Elizabeth in 1945 and in East London in 1950 that Bhengu’s ministry became internationally known and recognised. He moved to East London in 1950, where God used him mightily to reach out to thousands of people with the gospel. His preaching was attended by many conversions and with criminals turning themselves and their weapons in to the police as they began to experience the new life in Christ. There were also numerous healings and miracles that took place among the people.
RESEARCH GOAL
The goal of the study is to capture the vision, mission, strategies and lasting legacy of one of Africa’s greatest pioneers, and the impact of his Back to God Crusade campaigns that introduced hundreds of thousands of people to Christ and helped them become witnesses for God. The research will show how as a prophet, Bhengu responded to both the macro and the micro socio-political pressures of his time; and how he resisted demands to get involved in the political arena and denounce the evil system of apartheid.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
The researcher uses the qualitative approach. All the necessary directives in conducting a primarily historical research are honoured.
Firstly, existing literature on Bhengu’s life and work was gathered and evaluated (Quantitative method). Neither Bhengu nor his first associates in the ministry ever wrote books or articles about themselves. This includes Hubert Phillips, the man Bhengu joined in 1937. I approached John, Phillips’s son, for material that his father might have left behind when he died. John responded that his father had destroyed everything about himself and his work because he did not want to steal the glory from his Lord Jesus. Phillips’s wife Jean did the same before her death. Alfred, one of the earliest associates, also did not write anything about the work. It seems that these matters were not discussed at dinner table.
These efforts were followed by a series of interviews (Qualitative method) with church leaders as well as others who knew Bhengu, and worked with him during his lifetime. An attempt was made to investigate the impact of his work abroad, in the UK, the USA, Sweden, Norway, Canada and Scotland. However the main focus of the study will be on his work in South Africa and surrounding countries – Zimbabwe, Namibia, Mozambique, Lesotho, Swaziland and Botswana.
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION .
1.1. RELEVANCE OF STUDY .
1.2. RESEARCH GOAL
1.3. RESEARCH METHOLOGY
1.4. PARTICIPANT OBSERVER .
1.5. DEFINITION OF TERMS
1.6. STRUCTURE OF THE THESIS .
CHAPTER 2: SOUTH AFRICA, 1948 – 1985. THE CONTEXT OF BHENGU’S LIFE AND WORK
2.1. INTRODUCTION: TURBULENT TIMES FOR SOUTH AFRICA
2.2. THE BIRTH OF TWO POLITICAL FORCES: THE AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS AND THE NATIONAL PARTY
2.2.1. The Founding of the African National Congress (1912)
2.2.2. The Founding of the National Party (1914).
2.3. THE NATIONAL PARTY ASSUMES POWER (1948)
2.4. SOCIO-ECONOMIC CIRCUMSTANCES: POVERTY AND DISRUPTION OF FAMILY LIFE
2.5. REACTION AGAINST APARTHEID
2.5.1. Growing opposition
2.5.2. Sharpville
2.5.3. Rivonia Treason Trial
2.5.3.1. The State Case
2.5.3.2. Mandela’s Defence
2.5.4. Soweto – 1976 Student Riots
2.6. MARXISM AND COMMUNISM
2.7. THE STATE BECOMES MORE REPRESSIVE
2.8. POLITICAL RE-ENGINEERING
2.9. THE CHURCHES AND APARTHEID
2.10. NICHOLAS BHENGU’S EFFORTS TO STEER THE ASSEMBLIES OF GOD AWAY FROM
APARTHEID
CHAPTER 3: THE MAN NICHOLAS BHENGU
3.1. INTRODUCTION
3.2. BHENGU’S ROOTS AND PLACE OF BIRTH – THE ENTUMENI LUTHERAN MISSION STATION
3.3. BHENGU’S EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
3.4. BHENGU SEEKS EMPLOYMENT
3.5. BHENGU’S CONVERSION
3.6. THE LUTHERAN CHURCH REJECTS BHENGU’S NEW FOUND FAITH
3.7. BHENGU’S FIRST ASSOCIATES.
3.8. BHENGU MARRIES MYLET NDLELA
3.9. MYLET’S FUNERA
3.10. BHENGU’S HOME GOING, GROOTE SCHUUR.
CHAPTER 4: BHENGU’S MESSAGE – HIS PREACHING AND THEOLOGY BEHIND HIS PREACHING
4.1. INTRODUCTION
4.2. BHENGU’S VISION AND CALL TO MINISTRY
4.3. BHENGU’S THEOLOGICAL ROOTS AND TRAINING FOR MINISTRY
4.5. BHENGU’S DECLARATION OF FAITH
4.6. BHENGU IS BAPTIZED IN THE HOLY SPIRIT .
4.7. BHENGU’S TEACHING AND PREACHING
4.8. BHENGU PREACHED AND TAUGHT UNDER THE ANOINTING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
CHAPTER 5: BHENGU THE EVANGELIST AND CHURCH PLANTER
CHAPTER 6: BHENGU’S PROPHETIC ROLE: HIS SOCIO-ECONOMIC POLITICAL STANCE AND PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES
CHAPTER 7: BHENGU AS AN ECUMENICAL FIGURE: RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHER CHURCH DENOMINATIONS
CHAPTER 8: CONCLUSION – BHENGU’S LASTING LEGACY
