A f r i c a n C h r is t ia n s
B r in g R e v iv a l
to Am e r ica n Churches
M any people th in k Africa is a land of lions and other wild animals. It wasn’t until I went to a London zoo that I saw my first king of the jungle.” So stated William Uganda who, with Festo Kivengere, has been visiting churches in Ameri ca. Coming from an area in East Afri ca which has experienced 35 years of continuous revival, these two men have been stirring the hearts of min isters and people across the nation. William and Festo, as they are bet ter known, met Billy Graham during his ministry on the continent. It was he who arranged to have them travel throughout the United States. They also served as his interpreters during the ministry in Uganda. As an evangelist, William states, “ For 18 years I hid from God. A l though I was bom in a Christian home and brought up in the Anglican church, I trusted that my father’s faith would save me. Even though I started preaching at 15, I had never solved the question, What shall I do to be saved? Then 27 years ago, God of heaven spoke to me and I gave my life wholly and unreservedly to the Christ of Calvary’s Cross.” Festo has been inspector of public schools. He has been supervisor over 350 teachers in his area. Just recently he resigned his position in order to give more time to the gospel ministry. He recalls, “When I was a little boy, we worshipped stones. My father was not a Christian. But like Peter of old, we came to the Living Stone, the Lord Jesus Christ, and He in turn has giv en us eternal life.” In addition to their Spirit-filled messages, these men do not fail to bring laughter by telling their audi ences of an experience they had in a remote village in Europe. They had been travelling for a great distance and stopped at a little hotel. The man ager had never seen an African be
Dr. Milton C. Gould., pastor of the First Baptist Church of Downey, California, shares in the fellowship of William Uganda (left) and Festo Kivengere. The church not only featured them in four Sunday meetings, but also for the previous Saturday had them speak from 9:30 A.M. — 4:30 P.M. More than 250 attended the all day meeting.
fore. Tired and dirty from the trip, they asked to be able to take a bath immediately. The manager didn’t quite know what to expect. When they came out, he remarked in as tonishment: “ But you are still black!” William and Festo use this illustration to remind the people, “ Some think one just goes to church and thereby cleans himself up. But it is not washing off the color; it is washing the heart with the blood
of Christ which really matters.” With a twinkle of eye, William comments, “There must be a good many un happy white people i* yo*P ¿SUntry because I’ve seen so many of them trying to improve on their color.” While William and Festo have re turned to their country, congrega tions which have been privileged to share in their inspiring messages will continue to feel the fires o f revival in their hearts and lives.
AUGUST, 1962
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