Part 2: Carlos Annacondia

Christians either underestimate or overestimate Satan. (Annacondia 1998: 45)

Carlos Annacondia is a crusade minister from Argentina who has become known by the signature decree he issues before speaking at meetings: “Listen to me, Satan!” In the Forward to Annacondia’s book, C. Peter Wagner writes, “As I have seen with my own eyes, when he shouts this out in his public meetings, literally ‘all hell breaks loose!’ Demons manifest, and the demonized victims are immediately taken out and ministered to one-on-one, sometimes through most of the night, by trained deliverance counselors”
(Annacondia 1998: viii).


The scene that erupts from Annacondia’s pronouncement is almost difficult to imagine. And yet, it has even been documented by secular news sources that’ve investigated these country-shaking crusades. Annaondia writes: “In every crusade service, there are hundreds of men, women, and children who, after a few moments of prayer, start manifesting demons. Perhaps their bondage is due to magic, spiritualism, macumba, or false doctrines. These people’s spiritual deliverance is necessary for them to be set free from their slavery to Satan’s rule. The best way to minister to someone in bondage is by giving that person love…caring for the person’s soul.” (Annacondia 1998: 75)

Annacondia presents relatively simple principles for ministering to those in bondage. These include moving the person towards forgiveness, renouncing ties to the occult, releasing blessing over curses, and praying for others in the restorative authority of Jesus Christ.

Annacondia recounts many outstanding testimonies of God’s healing love being ushered in through a power encounter. However, he admits, these encounters are still filled with uncertainty and mystery. One such story was of a presumably homeless man from Córdoba who wandered the mountains, insane, much like the Gadarene whom Christ set free in the gospels. The man was brought to Annacondia half-naked, barefoot, and not having bathed in three years. Exhausted, Annacondia listened for the Lord to give him insight on this man. He sensed the Holy Spirit say, “there are two legions.” And so, Annacondia laid his hands on him and rebuked every demon that might be present. With this, the man ran, not to be seen again for quite some time. Six months later, the man showed up at another crusade, only this time he was well-dressed and in his right mind. He arrived with leaders of the city who came to testify that this, in fact, was the man Annacondia had prayed for. (Annacondia 1998: 48-49)

Lessons Learned from Annacondia’s Story:
1. Spiritual authority springs from a humble walk with Christ, in which his Lordship is continually realized.
2. The majority of Western Christians are not walking in the authority given to us by Christ to trample darkness.
3. Even the most intense moments of God’s power encounters are still filled with uncertainty and mystery.

(Photos from Annacondia's website: Reaching Souls.)