By Ron VandenBoom
Havre evangelist, Ed Hensel, recently returned from Africa, where he ministered to more than 4,000 people in Lagos, Nigeria.
"There were hundreds of salvations, instant healings, deliverances and miracles in the name of Jesus," Hensel said. Hansel is a member of Havre's First Church of the Nazarene and is a licensed minister in Colorado.
He calls his ministry Holy Fire International. He was invited to preach throughout the country at various evangelistic crusades set up for his ministry by the African based, Salvation Pathway Ministries. The goal of the ministry, Hensel said, is to reach out to those who desperately need a touch from God.
"We minister to people's spiritual and physical needs," Hensel said.
Hensel said the response to his ministry in Nigeria was tremendous.
"I personally prayed for thousands," he said. "God moved mightily with signs and wonders every time I ministered."
Hensel reports there were many healings by the power of God and hundreds came forward for prayer as he anointed them and prayed.
"Many received an instant healing," he said.
Many of the people attending the services had also given their lives over to witchcraft and started manifesting demonic influences as I prayed, Hensel said.
"Everyone that manifested was delivered in the name of Jesus," he said. "Their hunger for God was astonishing."
Living conditions in Legos were not the most pleasant.
Hensel stayed in a home with no water, electricity or phone. The temperature in this equatorial country were nearly 100 degrees with 95 percent humidity and little wind.
"But it was worth it to see hundreds come forward to receive Christ as their savior," Hensel said.
Hensel, who is employed as a electronics technician with the United States Border Patrol in Havre, has also ministered to congregations in Colorado and Montana and served locally as a youth leader at the Nazarene Church and on Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation.
His trip to Nigeria was paid for by private and church donations and partly out of his own pocket. He is currently working to raise funds for additional trips to Africa, Pakistan, Togo, and Ghana. A return trip to Africa is planned in August where he expects to be handing out food and clothing to the poor and minister to more than 11,000 people.
A trip to Pakistan is also planned for July. Hensel said the trip to Pakistan will be particularly challenging because 97 percent of Pakistan is Muslim and it is illegal to witness about Jesus Christ.
"I do not take a salary from the donations," he said. "I have a job and I don't need the money to live. It all goes to the people who desperately need it."
Hensel said his goal is to do as the Bible says and "go into all the world preach the gospel, heal the sick, cleans the leapers, cast out demons and raise the dead."
More information on Hensel and Holy Fire International can be found on Hensel's Website at http://hfi.faithweb.com or by mail at P.O. Box 456, Havre, Mt. 59501.
