Benin is known for for its voodoo practice.  This horrible black magic is the national religion of Benin.  As Paul wrote to Corinth, “For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries”, so this area was to Gospel Outreach.  This time we held a crusade in the city of Cove.

The region has a heavy voodoo practice as well as a sect led by a woman claiming to be a goddess herself.  Thousands worship her and even the First Lady of Benin believes in her divinity.  Not all welcomed us.  A group of adversaries was so against this crusade, that they attacked the crew with sticks and machetes when they arrived to set up the platform.  Thank God the police came, and they were arrested.

Regardless, thousands and thousands attended the four night crusade.  The crusade had a deep and powerful impact in the entire community and even the non-believers were affected.  This was the first crusade ever held in this city.

Benin has 24 Kings.  They are the keepers of the voodoo practice in the nation.  They have a lot of power, even politically.  For example, the elected President must visit a King whenever he is in the area, and the President must take off his shoes and bow before that King.  King Kpoffon in Cove asked me to meet with him in his palace.  It turned out he was a real “Cornelius”, in terms of being so hungry and ready for Jesus Christ!  He said he had prayed and hoped for years for somebody to come to Cove with the Gospel, as he was so tired of all the wickedness going on.

We prayed together for salvation and he will get a Bible and a Bible study will start in his palace.  King Kpoffon gave Gospel Outreach Ministries two pieces of land on which to build a church and a “Palace for Jesus Christ, where people can get restored from all the wickedness in this area”, as King Kpoffon expressed it!

The Gospel Outreach team of 12 returned home safely and reported 10,257 decisions made to accept Jesus Christ as Lord along with many signs and miracles that took place during the crusade!!