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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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Erlo Stegen emphasizes the commitment to serve the Lord as a family, reflecting on Arno's journey and the importance of faithfulness in ministry. He highlights the significance of Arno and Franzi's wedding text, 'As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord,' and challenges the congregation to consider their own dedication to God amidst trials. Stegen encourages believers to remain steadfast in their service to Jesus, rejecting idols and distractions that may lead them away from their calling.
Serve the Lord
Jos 24:15b, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Uncle Erlo related a little about Arno’s life because it was his silver wedding anniversary and to give thanks to the Lord Jesus for Arno’s life. He was fourteen years old when he came to the mission. Uncle Erlo was not yet married and so Arno was like Samuel in the temple. He wanted to leave school in grade 8 to be in full mission work but being advised to continue with his schooling, he continued till matric. When the magistrate threatened to close the supermarket because of the services Uncle Erlo was holding, they said that it didn’t matter if the business went down as long as the gospel was preached. Franzi comes from Switzerland and has been a helpmeet to her husband. Great is the role a woman can play. Arno and Franzi’s wedding text was the text above, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” It takes a real man to say something like this. It refers to family and servants in the household too - i.e. a man’s whole household. Where do you stand? Many have left the work. Will you also leave or be faithful to the end together with your household? We have to serve the Lord Jesus with all our hearts and not idols.
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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.