ORLANDO, FL – Christ for all Nations (CfaN) is perhaps best known for the massive evangelism campaigns it hosts around the world, but most notably across the continent of Africa. The ministry has documented more than 80 million individual decisions to follow Christ at these CfaN events. In light of that long-standing reputation, it came as a surprise to many when Evangelist Daniel Kolenda announced, in January of 2021, that the ministry planned to launch a local church in Orlando, Florida (where their headquarters has been based for more than 20-years).
The service was also marked by important contributions from CfaN Vice President Peter Vandenberg, Executive Pastor Russell Benson, Associate Pastor Eric Gilmour, and numerous production pieces from the Nations Church Creative team. Guests were also greeted with a surprise gift, the first-ever Nations Church Worship Album – an incredible collection of songs from the Nations Church Worship Team. But the highlight of the morning was Pastor Kolenda’s sermon, which shone simultaneously as an impassioned reminder of the fledgling church’s deep roots in an abiding commitment to evangelism and a vivid presentation of the leadership’s vision to move forward as a house of authentic worship, biblical theology, and relational discipleship.
Pastor Kolenda noted that a few online critics had bemoaned his decision to start a church for fear that CfaN would refocus its efforts away from its monumental evangelism work and on to a local church. However, he called such speculation “Hogwash,” noting, “We’re not leaving the nations – in fact, we’re increasing from 7 Gospel Crusades per year to 43!” He went on to elaborate, “This church is on our hearts because we can’t see what God is doing in other cities around the world and watch our own city go to hell. We’re not interested in people who are already in a local church. We want to win the people who don’t know Jesus and provide them with a place where they can grow.”
Evangelist Levi Lutz, Director of the CfaN Evangelism Bootcamp, also shared the global vision for multiplication and collaboration. Working with the evangelists that have graduated from the Bootcamp, CfaN has already documented over 900,500 salvations in the first half of 2021 alone! Right now, 100 crusade evangelists are undergoing the three-month-long training to join that elite team. Lutz invited others with the same burning heart for evangelism in the nations to apply for the next Bootcamp.
The local and global vision of Nations Church and Christ for all Nations is staggering but not far-fetched. What they have already seen in the past gives them great hope for the future. As Pastor Kolenda said, “It’s not just fantasy – because we’ve seen it happen there, we have faith that it will happen here…” Thus, the room was amazed, but not surprised, when Pastor Kolenda announced that, “even though it’s only our first official day, we’re already building a launch team to plant a second location, North Campus, that will open in February of 2022.” This is already a necessity because their two Sunday morning services have reached capacity.
To learn more about Nations Church, watch the launch service, or find out how to get involved, visit www.WeAreNations.Church. To learn more about Christ for All Nations, visit www.CfaN.org.
CONTACT: Sam Rodriguez, Director of Product Development, 407-854-4400, srodriguez@cfan.org
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Source: Christian News Wire, A Staggering Vision but not Far-fetched: Nations Church Launches in Orlando, FL