Festo Kivengere
Festo Kivengere (* 1919 in Rukungiri, Uganda, † 1988) was a bishop of the Anglican Church of Uganda and major evangelist. He was an international spokesman for the Church of Uganda. Festo Kivengere been called the Billy Graham of Africa.
Biography
Festo Kivengere went into Kyamakanda to school before he attended Kigezi High School. At this time he turned increasingly to Christianity and was an active member of evangelistic groups. Later he went to Mbarara High School and Bishop Tucker College in Mukono, where he was trained as a primary school teacher.
Meanwhile Kivengere slipped away from his faith and was an alcoholic and a heavy smoker.
In 1946, he heard that the Church Missionary Society ( CMS), was looking for people who want to work as a missionary teacher. Kivingere responded to the call and was sent for four days to Dodoma. He made the trip with his wife and his first daughter.
In the 1970s, he reached in Germany thousands with his message. In 1975, he appeared on the big organized by Billy Graham internationionalen Youth Conference Euro Festival '75 in Brussels.
The well-known for his brutality dictator of Uganda Idi Amin pursued him so that Kivengere had to leave the country in 1977. He wrote the book I Love Idi Amin, which aroused much attention. Festo Kivengere was convinced that the love of the Crucified and the mass murderer Idi Amin applies. He said: " On the cross, Jesus said, 'Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do ' so evil as Idi Amin was, how can I do it over less. ? " ( Original wording: "On the cross, Jesus said, ' Father, forgive them, Because They Do not Know whatthey are doing. ' As evil as Idi Amin what, how can I do less toward him? " )
After fleeing Amin's he returned to Uganda back and he preached especially forgiveness and reconciliation, reaching many people with the Christian faith. Kivengere died in 1988 from leukemia.
Trivia
Festo Kivengere had four daughters. He called it Peace (Peace), joy ( joy), Hope (Hope) and Charity ( Charity ).
Publications ( German )
- I Love Idi Amin - Uganda today: triumph of love in the midst of suffering and persecution. Haenssler Verlag, Neuhausen- Stuttgart
- If God acts. Telos Publishing, Bad Love Cell 1976, ISBN 3-85666-009-4 ( ISBN formally wrong )
- Love that conquers hatred. Brockhaus 1978, ISBN 3-417-20270-1, Tb Vol 1 270 110S.
- Renewed communities: reports and speeches by Bishop Festo Kivengere. Telos Publishing Group, Ulm, 1975, 128 pp., paperback
- My life shall be his mirror. R. Brockhaus Verlag, Wuppertal 1982, Paperback; 79 pages
- Jesus' grace is sufficient. Bible study on Ephesians. Phono and writing mission of the mission teams Good News Grossalmerode 1976, Paperback; 116 pages