Smith Wigglesworth

1859 – 1947

     British evangelist Smith Wigglesworth had one of the most extraordinary ministries of the 20^th century. He continues to be a great inspiration to evangelists and believers around the world who believe the Lord still heals and delivers.

     Born into poverty in Yorkshire, England, Wigglesworth worked in the fields and factories as a youth. Ultimately, he became a plumber. Illiterate until he married Polly Featherstone in 1882, his wife used the Bible to teach him to read. They resolved it would be the only book they would read.

     While not considered a man...

George Whitefield
1714-1770

     For a time, George Whitefield was one of the most widely recognized names in the world. He was certainly the best-known religious leader of his time and is credited with the spread of the First Great Awakening. This Awakening not only brought profound changes to Christianity, but to Western civilization as well. It is hard to imagine what the world would be like today without Whitefield’s contribution.

     Whitefield was born in in 1714 in Gloucester, England. He later attended Oxford University where he met the Wesley brothers, John and Charles. The three joined “The...

Jonathan Edwards
1703 - 1758

     Jonathan Edwards is considered one of the greatest intellects America ever produced, yet he is perhaps best known for a single sermon he preached entitled "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.” Is this one of the great ironies of history, or could it be both fitting and prophetic? The first and second Great Awakenings were sparked by movements of profound repentance. The Scriptures are clear that God does get angry, but He tends to warn those who have provoked Him before He takes action. If they repent, He is quick...

     We continue our study of some of the great Christian lives with another recent example, John Wimber. I was privileged to know and spend time with John in the final years of his life, and I count him as one of the greatest Christians I have known.

John Wimber
(February 25, 1934 – November 17, 1997)

     John Wimber had one of the greatest healing and miracle gifts in the last part of the 20th century. However, it was more than this that enabled him to become one of the most influential church leaders during his time. John...

     We continue our study of some of the greatest Christian lives with one from more recent times, Leonard Ravenhill. I was privileged to get to know him in his final years, and I count him as one of the great Christians I have known.  

Leonard Ravenhill

     Ravenhill, as he is respectfully called by historians, journalists, and friends, was born in Leeds, Yorkshire, England on June 18, 1907. He emerged as a powerful evangelist during World War II, drawing large crowds and turning multitudes to Christ during some of the darkest times the earth had yet endured.

     A...