Rev. Nicholas Bhekinkosi Hepworth Bhengu was born on September 5, 1909, at Entumeni, KwaZulu-Natal. Known as "Manotsha", "Papakho", "uMkhulu" or "uKhehla" by his converts, he was the Founder of the Africa Back to God Crusade (Assemblies of God) in the 1950s.[1] Bhengu was an evangelist, a teacher of the word, and a pastor. Through his ministry a very large congregation was built up in the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, and the rest of South Africa together with the neighboring countries. Bhengu emphasised holiness and the fear of God, among other things.[2]
Bhengu was the son of Josiah Khanda and Yele Bhengu. His father was an evangelist of the Lutheran Church. His mother raised him as a Christian. He was born at the eNtumeni Mission Station. He had five brothers and two sisters. Bhengu was "expelled twice [from his birthplace] for his faith as a heretic", first at the age of 21 after he tried to witness to his people after his conversion, and second after he returned to his father's land and settled and built a home, and he was "forced to leave" in 1973 and then settled at Mtunzini.[3]
He was a professional court interpreter.[4] In South Africa, American ministers depended on African interpreters to translate to both Africans (black) and Afrikaans (white).[5] Nicholas Bhengu was a well known Zulu minister.[6] He attended the 7th Annual Voice of Healing Convention - "All Roads Lead to Dallas Texas Nov 8-11".[7] In America he became known as "The Black Billy Graham of Africa".[8]
Bhengu was the "leader of the African wing" of the Assemblies of God South Africa (AGSA). The first church that Bhengu "planted" was located at 4th Street and 4th Avenue, in Benoni Old Location. The white missionaries formed International Assemblies of God (IAG). There were disputes regarding resources, power and space but also race and cultural issues "contributed" to the split.[4]
He taught his church to be self-sustaining and he also encouraged material independence through hand work. Bhengu died in 1985.[9]
^Lephoko, Dan. "Nicholas Bhekinkosi Hepworth Bhengu's Lasting Legacy. World's Best Black Soul Crusader." HTS Religion and Society Series. Volume 4. Page 271-272. ISBN9781928396529
^ abMotshetshane, Albert Stephen (28 June 2016). Culture and conflict in Pentecostalism: the Assemblies of God in South Africa, Nicholas Bhengu and the American missionaries, and the International Assemblies of God (1917-1964) (Thesis). hdl:10413/13090.
^Lephoko, Dan, S.B. (December 1, 2018). Nicholas Bhekinkosi Hepworth Bhengu's Lasting Legacy. World's Best Black Soul Crusader. HTS Religion & Society Series. Vol. 4. Cape Town, South Africa: Publisher, AOSIS. pp. 271–272. ISBN9781928396529.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
^Lephoko, Daniel Simon Billy (7 September 2010). Nicholas Bhekinkosi Hepworth Bhengu's lasting legacy: a study of the life and work of one of Africa's greatest pioneers (Thesis). hdl:2263/27505.
^"Attend the 7th Annual Voice of Healing Convention ... Dallas Texas". The Voice of Healing Magazine. (September 1955) Page 3. [1]
