Erlo Hartwig Stegen

Erlo Hartwig Stegen (b. 1935), the founder and director of KwaSizabantu Mission, has devoted his life to sharing the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ and winning souls for Him. Called to minister especially to the Zulu people, his service has resulted in a powerful and lasting bond with the nation. His belief in the divine authority of the Bible and his yearning that

"he who believes in Me as the Scripture has said, out of his innermost being will flow rivers of living water"

led to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in 1966. Decades of revival have followed, where God has shown what He can do through one man who puts his life on the altar.

Through Reverend EH Stegen’s ministry over 70 years in South Africa and worldwide, millions have been touched and changed. His powerful messages are marked by great boldness, with listeners experiencing deep conviction of sin which leads to repentance.

Early Days

Reverend Stegen using his favourite mode of transport

Reverend Stegen driving the bus in the early days

A service in the early 1980s

Assisting at a funeral

Erlo with the Kwasizabantu Choir

Erlo's outreach tent in 1966

Playing with children

The shed where prayer meetings were held

Ministry

At Emseni Care Centre

Sharing farming skills with the Maqhogo community1

Preaching in a tent in 2008

Preaching at a Ministers Conference in 2019

Giving Bibles

Distributing aQuellé

The rebuilding of the auditorium

Sharing farming skills with the Maqhogo community

USA

Israel

Russia

Mozambique

DRC

Australia

2004 Korea

Family

With his parents, Carl and Irmgard Stegen

Erlo and Kay at their wedding with co-workers

Erlo and Kay distributing produce to the community

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His service is marked by love, warmth and generosity for everyone around him whether great or small. His compassion and prayers for the hungry, the sick, the needy, for souls burdened with sin and those in mourning, have changed lives and brought new hope.

The work established by Reverend Erlo Stegen in 1970 in rural KwaZulu Natal at KwaSizabantu Mission (meaning the place where people are helped) continues to grow. Reverend Stegen’s life-purpose of uplifting communities through the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ also extends to helping them with their everyday needs. The agricultural, educational and commercial facilities established to support the ministry of the mission, provide skills training and employment. By God’s grace the rivers of living water continue to grow deeper and stronger. Through the vision and tireless dedication of a faithful servant and leader, God has shown that He is able to work miracles and change a nation.

UBaba Umfundisi (Rev. Stegen) has always been a great inspiration to me. When God said, “Whom can I send” he said, “Send me.” He has brought such enlightment to our people during difficult times. – Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, Prime Minister of the Zulu Nation

I would like to thank this congregation together with their leader, Baba Mfundisi, that it has always stood with us as Zulu Royalty. The name ‘Sizabantu’ is not just simply the name of this church, but through their deeds, they demonstrate that they actually ‘siza abantu’ (help people). I want to thank God for planting this church, Sizabantu in the midst of our Zulu nation. I believe God had a deep motive and aim for doing so." King Goodwill Zwelithini, 1948-2021

I had heard a great deal about the work Reverend Stegen was doing before I had even met him. When I saw Kwasizabantu Mission I was amazed to see such a great work. It is evident that this work was started by someone who had a profound vision, anointing and calling. Thank you very much to Reverend Stegen for his diligence. – Prof OEHM Nxumalo

We cannot thank Rev. Stegen enough for what he has done for us. We have come a long way with Rev. Stegen – he has taught us well and treated us as his own children. He would come and plant alongside us and show us how to do a proper job. We will now gather our children and teach them how to work, just as Rev. Stegen has taught us. – MaNgubane Langa, neighbour

When I look at KwaSizabantu Mission and how it has grown over the years, I just reflect on one thing - that it was very clear that it was not Reverend Stegen’s own making but there was a divine hand behind everything. If we could do a quarter of what he has done, this world would be a wonderful place, this world would change for the good. – Mr N Nene, Former Minister of Finance, South Africa

It has been a great pleasure and honour to marvel and admire a great work that has been done by a man who walked by faith, a man who loved Jesus with all his heart, a man who loved black people. We are grateful to God for his life, for the fruits of his labour that everybody can see. Reverend Stegen is a man that I greatly admire and love. – Rev Kenneth RJ Meshoe, Member of the National Assembly, ACDP

Gopapa’s done so much for us. Gopapa’s gone through lots of suffering. If you live for the Lord, you must take your cross up every day and Gopapa’s carried his cross every day from that day long ago. He’s carried his cross every day and persevered forward and just lived for the Lord. – Mika Schmunk (2009-2021), late grandson of Rev EH Stegen

Erlo Stegen has given the greater part of his life to serving our people in this community and communities around KwaSizabantu. He has worked hard and served with humility…I admire his character and strength. I admire his leadership and humility. I am grateful for all he has done for my people in KwaZulu-Natal, for my family and for me. Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, Prime Minister of the Zulu Nation

Probably no man of God in South Africa since Andrew Murray has had such Revival blessings accompany his ministry. Dr Peter Hammond, Frontline Fellowship