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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 miraculous events surrounding the birth of Jesus Christ, highlighting that without Christmas, there would be no Easter or Pentecost. He explains how God orchestrated a census by Caesar Augustus to fulfill His divine plan, leading Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem. Despite their humble circumstances, the joy of witnessing the birth of their Savior overshadowed their hardships. The appearance of angels to the shepherds and the guiding star for the wise men further illustrate God's miraculous intervention. Stegen urges listeners to personally experience God's saving power and to share the Good News with others.
Christmas Miracles
Luke 2:1-10 At Christmas we celebrate the virgin birth of Jesus Christ. Had there been no Christmas there also would have been no Easter or Pentecost. The greeting "Merry Christmas" refers to the miracle of miracles, God becoming flesh, being born of a virgin. At Christmas numerous miracles took place. 1) Firstly, God prompted Caesar Augustus to take a census. This brought Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem. Although Caesar Augustus might have done it for his own interests, God controls all things, even the hearts of the kings so that His purposes might be fulfilled (Prov 21:1). 2) Although Joseph and Mary were poor and there was no place for them in the inn, they rejoiced greatly when Mary gave birth to the Lord Jesus, their Messiah and Redeemer. The hardships they experienced in the stable and their own lack of material things meant little to them. They were overjoyed to see God working. 3) Angels appeared unto the shepherds in the field, while they were keeping watch over their flock by night, and told them about their Saviour's birth. These shepherds must have known God and been praying for the coming of the Messiah. The angels also rejoiced greatly at the coming of the Messiah, for they were witnesses of satan's rebellion in heaven. Now they were eager to see God's victory over satan. 4) A bright star lead the wise men from the east to Bethelehem where Jesus was born. God's miraculous working at Christmas should touch you deeply. You must experience personally the power of God to save from sin, and have the burning desire to spread the Good News to those who do not know.
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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.