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Erlo Stegen

Erlo Hartwig Stegen (1935 - 2023). South African missionary and revivalist of German descent, born on Mbalane farm near Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, to Hermannsburg missionary descendants. Raised Lutheran, he left school after grade 10 to farm but felt called to ministry in 1952, evangelizing rural Zulus under apartheid. After 12 years of preaching with few lasting conversions, he experienced a transformative revival in 1966 at Maphumulo, marked by repentance and reported miracles. In 1970, he founded KwaSizabantu Mission (“place where people are helped”) in Kranskop, which grew into a self-sustaining hub with farms, a water bottling plant, and schools, serving thousands. Stegen authored Revival Among the Zulus and preached globally, establishing churches in Europe by 1980. Married with four daughters, he mentored Zulu leaders and collaborated with theologian Kurt Koch. His bold preaching drew 3 million visitors to KwaSizabantu over decades.
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Sermon Summary
Erlo Stegen emphasizes the necessity of being strong in the Lord and fully equipped with the whole armor of God to engage in the intense battle of faith. He warns against half-heartedness and the dangers of pride, jealousy, and hatred that can weaken a Christian's effectiveness. Stegen illustrates the importance of truthfulness and the need to protect one's thought life while spreading the Gospel. He urges believers to unite and resist the devil, highlighting that true strength comes from obedience to God. The sermon calls for Christians to be vigilant and prepared, as the time we live in demands unwavering faith.
Scriptures
Finally, Be Strong, ... Be Armed
Eph 6:10-19 Paul was involved in the good fight of faith. The majority in SA call themselves Christians but very few fight this good fight of faith. This battle is intense. You cannot take it half-heartedly. So it is essential that you put on the whole armour of God. You must not neglect any of the armour-pieces. Christians are you fighting for the faith? You are told to be strong in the Lord. Are you strong in the Lord? Do not trust in your own strength. John Bunyan writes about Mr Pliable. He simply accepted any situation and was driven about by various winds. Such Christians are useless. We don't need Christians who don't know where they're going or what they stand for. God's command is that we must be strong in Him. There is no time to be weak in the time we are living in. There is nothing as tragic and pitiful as a weak Christian. We need to be one and united, not bearing a grudge against another. You cannot call yourself a Christian, neither can the power of God work through you, while there is pride, jealousy, hatred, etc. in your life. You must put on the whole armour of God. You dare not leave any gap for that is where the devil will attack. Put on the belt of truth. Speak the truth. If you want strength and power speak the truth. The story is told of a young man who was walking home with a lot of money when some robbers accosted him and stole all his money. They asked him if he had given everything and he answered yes. As they ran off he still found one coin in another pocket. So he ran and shouted after them, "stop, stop, for I've told you that I've given you everything but I've still had this coin left." The criminals were so dumb-founded that they gave him back all his money, saying, "we cannot steal from such an upright man." But some Christians tell blatant or white-washed lies and do not even feel guilty. That is where the devil will get into your life. Prepare your feet to spread the Gospel, even to your family and children. Protect your thought-life. Watch and resist the devil to be strong in the Lord. If God works the devil will also work but then we must persevere and obey the Lord. If you are not strong in the Lord you are disobedient. Be obedient and take the steps necessary that you might be strong in the Lord.
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Erlo Hartwig Stegen (1935 - 2023). South African missionary and revivalist of German descent, born on Mbalane farm near Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, to Hermannsburg missionary descendants. Raised Lutheran, he left school after grade 10 to farm but felt called to ministry in 1952, evangelizing rural Zulus under apartheid. After 12 years of preaching with few lasting conversions, he experienced a transformative revival in 1966 at Maphumulo, marked by repentance and reported miracles. In 1970, he founded KwaSizabantu Mission (“place where people are helped”) in Kranskop, which grew into a self-sustaining hub with farms, a water bottling plant, and schools, serving thousands. Stegen authored Revival Among the Zulus and preached globally, establishing churches in Europe by 1980. Married with four daughters, he mentored Zulu leaders and collaborated with theologian Kurt Koch. His bold preaching drew 3 million visitors to KwaSizabantu over decades.