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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 importance of seeking the kingdom of God and His righteousness as outlined in Matthew 6:33. He explains that God's kingdom is where He reigns as Lord, and His righteousness reflects His ways. Stegen encourages believers not to worry about earthly needs, as God cares for them just as He does for the birds and flowers. He highlights the necessity of actively seeking God's will and living according to His principles, including loving one's enemies and maintaining purity of heart. Ultimately, he reassures that those who surrender to God will find His provision and care in their lives.
Scriptures
Seek First ... and Find
Matthew 6: 33 "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." In Matthew 6 v 33 there are two main issues that stand out: the kingdom of God and His righteousness. It is important that we seek both. His kingdom refers to where He is Lord and king over all. His righteousness is His way of doing things. This verse is right after the sermon on the Mount which speaks about God’s kingdom and the way He rules. Matthew 11 v7 says nobody knows the Father but the Son and those to whom He reveals the Father. Jesus is the only one who knows God’s personality and character and the way He does things and He reveals God to us so that we can get to know Him. We shouldn’t be worried like the heathen. They worry about what they will eat and wear and about tomorrow. The Lord Jesus gives a picture about how God cares for us when He says we should look at the birds of the air. If He cares for them, how much more won’t He care for us? The Bible says that Solomon in his glory wasn’t clothed as well as the flowers that God clothes. This reveals God’s heart and what He feels for us and that we can trust Him fully. We don’t need to be concerned because He says that He will never leave or forsake us. It also says that we must seek and we need to seek until we find it; not just look around. We need to seek what is right in His eyes. For example, He says you mustn’t only love those who love you but also those who are your enemies. God sends rain and sunshine on everyone. It says you are blessed if you are gentle and if you are poor in Spirit; meaning of a humble spirit and not seeking your own. It also says blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God even here on earth. Paul told Timothy to be an example to the believers and unbelievers in purity. The Lord Jesus tells us the rules that apply in God’s kingdom. We need to shut the distraction of the world and pray, seek God and read His word. It doesn’t mean that you must just sit back and do nothing. There is no blessing on a sluggard but don’t carry worry; rather cast it on the Lord Jesus. People are worried about getting married. Often it is those who surrender to God, that do get married. Seek His kingdom and don’t be concerned because He’ll take care of you.
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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.