Demons Cast Out and Lives Given to Christ at Tanzanian Conference

This moment was part of a three-day conference I had the privilege of leading alongside International Missions Director Jeff Walsh and Pastor Chris Barton. Twenty pastors had gathered with us for this event. Earlier that day, on the second day of the conference, I felt the heart of God was surely pleased as the assembly burst into song and dance, followed by simultaneous prayer. Every voice lifted unashamedly to the Lord in a great spirit of intercession. Together, we called out for his direction, submitted to his lordship and sought his anointing over the teachings to come.

We had been warned about possible fatigue since many of the pastors and attendees had gathered at 5:00 that same morning to pray fervently. They had prayed for genuine conversions, for deliverance of captives and against the dark powers that might attempt to disrupt the open-air evangelism planned for the afternoon.

After the morning teachings and a filling meal, we piled into a van (making two trips) and traveled a broken road to an acre of ground outside Pastor Festus Tungaraza’s church. A speaker system was set up, and a podium with a microphone stood ready. For an hour, choirs sang boisterously, accompanied by dancing, until the hosts were satisfied that the music had drawn much of the community to the event.

I was the first to speak, sharing a short testimony and inviting the crowd to experience the greatest thing that could ever happen to them — meeting their Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Jeff followed, urging them to be ready for his coming by sharing the parable of the 10 virgins and their oil lamps. Then Chris took the pulpit, speaking about the hole in every heart that can only be filled by knowing and submitting to the living God. Finally, Pastor Festus gave an invitation for people to come forward.

At first, there was hesitation. Then Pastor Gervais, a towering 6’4” presence, swept his arms toward the crowd in encouragement. Some decided they’d rather face the potential embarrassment of stepping forward than face Pastor Gervais, so forward they came. As we prayed over them, laying hands on their heads, a young woman suddenly fell to the ground and began rolling over and over. The church members, almost expecting this, quickly surrounded her and cast out the filthy spirit that had been oppressing her. She regained her senses and was led in a prayer of repentance and salvation.

Another young woman caught my eye as she knelt, smiling. I couldn’t tell if she was mocking what was happening or just amused by the situation. But as she looked around and saw others kneeling with their arms raised, she awkwardly followed suit. When we placed our hands on her head and began to pray, she suddenly lost consciousness, fell backward and started rolling uncontrollably. Once again, the faithful church members acted quickly, praying for her and casting out the demons that tormented her. She, too, prayed to receive Jesus Christ into her life.

By Sunday, nine of the 12 who had come forward were in church, sharing testimonies of the new life they had received. The two young women, however, were too timid to enter the church, though they sat outside, listening to the songs and messages. My prayer is that the good seed of the Word will take deep root in the lives of these new professing believers.