Fifty of Africa's major cities in 11 African nations became the focus of an intense evangelism effort earlier this year.

Hundreds of Christians worked together to take the Gospel message to every neighborhood, to every person.

It was a campaign of unprecedented scope, but with a very simple message. And it came to a continent with great needs.

Vast regions of Africa, once mighty and strong, once full of promise, culturally and economically, now stand plagued by famine and poverty. A land where dreams of a better life die daily, stamped out by the AIDS virus. The eyes of Africa's people search for hope.

Out of the midst of this despair was born 'Operation Sunrise Africa', O.S.A. It is the largest evangelical outreach that has ever taken place in southern and eastern Africa.

Launched by Campus Crusade for Christ, 'Operation Sunrise Africa' hoped to reach 50 million people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ in just 50 days.

Youth leader Oral Klaasen said, "The 50 days encouraged people to get involved in the ministry and in the work of the Kingdom of Heaven."

CBN united with Campus Crusade, other ministries and over 140,000 volunteers to take the campaign to 50 major cities. The workers came from all across the African continent, and were joined by students from the United States and other parts of the world.

Organizer Eric Tocknell commented upon the campaign, "The concept must be God-inspired, because there's so many people involved and so many people are committed to the task."

Phillip Dungulu, also an organizer, said, "We would like to see a change through this campaign. We would like to see a decrease in crime. We would like to see the hand of God bring some uplift in relation to issues of poverty, unemployment, and things like that. We believe miracles must take place, as we are invoking God in doing this."

For the mission of Operation Sunrise Africa to be successful, it had to begin at the local level. So, various ministries and churches of all denominations worked together for one common purpose.

From Bible studies and church services to door-to-door witnessing -- and even giving shoe shines -- workers have been using their various skills to reach people with the Gospel. Even a ventriloquist captured audiences with his amazing talent.

Gordon Volkman is the national coordinator for O.S.A. South Africa. He said, "Specific, strategic groups were targeted by people who work in those areas, to specifically reach out and share Christ, during that time [the 50 days]. It actually brought about opportunities for people to be exposed to the message of Christ in different ways."

CBN provided more than 400 hours of broadcast programming during the 50-day event, programs such as CBN'S Turning Point, One Cubed and animation specials. Each program offered the viewer an opportunity to accept Jesus. Hundreds of viewers called their national counseling center for prayer.

Janice Grant is a phone counselor, and reported that, "Through the Turning Point program, the Gospel of the Lord was presented to all in such a simple but such an important way that it was clearly understood by them. And they've just run to the telephone lines to tell us, to share with us, to accept God, to unburden themselves…. It brought God right into their living rooms. And it's blessed me as a counselor, too."

From Ethiopia to Johannesburg, lives were changed.

'Elizabeth' is an example of those born again during the campaign. She said, "I feel like a new person. Jesus changed my life, my entire life. I just wanted to praise the Lord that night…It was wonderful!"

Operation Sunrise Africa may have come and gone in a mere 50 days, but this is just the beginning!

Eric Tocknell affirmed that, "It's not going to stop. It's going to continue and grow and grow and grow and it's going to be something which people will talk about in seasons to come, and they'll be able to reflect on it."

Pastor Clive Fortuin said, "I just knew, in these days, God would move in a mighty way! And God has called this body, the Operation Sunrise Africa body into being, and this is of God. People are getting saved. You know, this is initiated by God."

A Bold Beginning