Church leaders have paid tribute to well-known evangelist Morris Cerullo, who died Saturday at the age of 88. Amongst them, the founder of Miracle Centre Cathedral – Rubaga, Pastor Robert Kayanja, described the preacher as one who fought a good fight of faith even at an advanced age.
Pastor Kayanja said evangelist Cerullo is fondly remembered for his video ministry which he urges had great impact here in Uganda and in the whole of Africa.
“We were shaken by the news of the Home-going of a father in the faith, a mentor, a friend and one of the most impactful servants of God of the 20th and 21st Century- Dr. Morris Cerullo,” Pastor Kayanja said in a release.
Mr Kayanja stated that evangelist Cerullo’s faith and faithfulness to the Lord have been inspirational.
“He has lived on the mission field. Even in his old age, he kept dreaming,” Pastor Kayanja said.
On July 9, Dr. Cerullo’s family posted an urgent prayer request on Facebook, indicating that he was in the hospital.
Cerullo became a believer at the age of 14 and started preaching when he was 15-years-old.
The evangelist was called to international ministry and formed Morris Cerullo World Evangelism (M.C.W.E.) in 1961. In 2011, he launched the daily television show, “Victory Today” and he has written more than 200 Christian books.
“After spending a night at a homeless shelter, the San Diego Mission, on my first overseas trip to the USA, I was directed to Dr. Cerullo’s offices in San Diego where I met his Executive Vice President at the time, a man of God called Shultz. He welcomed me, took me out for lunch and prophesied to me that God was going to use me mightily in America and around the world. He said to me that God wanted me to go to Phoenix, Arizona. He proceeded to purchase an airline ticket for me and I went to Phoenix where my ministry in the US took off and never remained the same,” Pastor Kayanja said.
Through Dr. Cerullo’s world conferences, Pastor Kayanja says so many upcoming Christian leaders at the time gained world prominence where he would invite them to minister.
Dr Cerullo came to Uganda in 1993 and conducted a believers’ conference at the Makerere University Freedom Square.
He returned on several occasions, and also shared the gospel of Jesus Christ in multiple other countries across the world including Nigeria, Mexico, Brazil, The Philippines, Korea, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Kenya, Indonesia, and the Netherlands.
“Brother Cerullo, as we fondly called him, was probably the last remaining revivalist that participated in the healing revivals of the 1940s and 50s in America. He has fought a good fight, he has run his race and now prepared for him is a crown (for Dr. Cerullo, I believe it is a number of crowns.),” Pastor Kayanja said.
Pastor Noah Sematimba of Breakthrough Miracle Life Ministries said evangelist Cerullo’s ministry through the conferences he did in Uganda at the time, ignited what many described as MTR ( Mango Tree Revival) meetings at Makerere University.
He said the initiative ushered many into ministry especially those who attended studies at the tertiary institution.
“Fare thee well Man Of God. Enjoy your well earned rest in the loving arms of the one you served so faithfully,” he said.
Many leaders have sent their condolences to the televangelist’s wife of over 50 years, Theresa Cerullo. The couple had two surviving children David and Susan.
What Other Christian leaders said earlier about Dr Morris Cerullo during his farewell crusades.
Creflo Dollar:
“Dr. Cerullo never quits—he allows dreams and visions to come to pass. He has made a huge difference and mark in the lives of people all around the world. His anointing is needed right now.”
Joel Osteen:
“Dr. Morris Cerullo is truly a legend among legends in the body of Christ. His teachings are inspired, his dedication undeniable and his influence global. His legacy will live for generations to come.”
Franklin Graham:
“Incredible Morris Cerullo has done so much. We thank him for his faithfulness to the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. All that matters is that a soul is saved.”
Dr. Pat Robertson:
“God has always looked for a man. He found that man in Morris Cerullo, who has been used mightily to take the gospel around the world. Morris is a man of great faith, and the power of the Lord has been mightily evidenced in his life.”
Hill Song Pastor Brian Houston:
“Praise God for the life and the ministry of Dr. Morris Cerullo. So many multitudes have been impacted over all these years with the gospel and the power of God.”
Rod Parsley:
“I am so proud to call Dr. Morris Cerullo my dear friend and one of the greatest apostles of any generation. I thank God for your truly remarkable legacy of 72 years of worldwide ministry.”
Kenneth Copeland:
“Morris Cerullo is one of my great gospel heroes that I have known and been closely associated with for nearly 40 years. He’s blessed my life. He’s blessed this ministry.”
