Jon Amos Comenius

(1592-1671)

            Jon Amos Comenius has been listed as one of the five people to most impact the modern world. Some would argue that he should be at the top of that list. Considered the “Father of Modern Education,” Comenius was the first to effectively advocate for educating all children, not just children of the nobility. With this vision, he developed schools and a philosophy of education that gave birth to modern education.

            As much as education has advanced, there are few, if any, schools that have attained the effectiveness and excellence of Comenius’ schools...

John Hus

     John Hus was a priest, pastor, professor, and philosopher, but his greatest impact was as a teacher and author devoted to biblical truth. Born in a town in southern Bohemia in the late 1300s, he preceded Martin Luther by one hundred years, and many historians consider him the first true Reformer. Also considered the spiritual father of the Moravian movement and church, Hus’ preaching and teaching impact in the days before the invention of the printing press was unrivaled, with the possible exception of John Wycliffe. Virtually all the Reformers following Hus acknowledged him as their inspiration....

Derek Prince
(1915-2003)

     Born in Bangalore, India to British parents, Derek Prince became a Fellow at King’s College, Cambridge at twenty-four. He seemed destined to become a noted scholar, but the outbreak of World War II changed his trajectory when he entered the British Army.

      While serving under General Montgomery in North Africa, Derek had a life-changing encounter with Jesus. His love of knowledge immediately became a passionate desire to know the Lord and His ways. This set him on a course to become one of the most popular Bible teachers of his time.

     Derek’s love...

John G. Lake

(1870–1935)

         John Graham Lake could be compared to Jacob, the biblical character and schemer. He was ordained in the Methodist Church after claiming to have graduated from a seminary that did not exist. Even so, his passionate desire to serve the Lord would, like Jacob, be changed to make him “a prince with God.”

         Born in St. Marys, Ontario, Canada, Lake’s family moved to Michigan in 1886. As a young man, he moved to Chicago and worked in construction. After six years, he returned to Michigan where he claimed to have started several newspapers. He...

Maria Woodworth-Etter
(1844–1924)

     The short list of extraordinary Christians should include Maria Woodworth-Etter. Her radical obedience to Christ challenged some of the most powerful religious prejudices and traditions of her day. She did this not by preaching against them, but by demonstrating their folly through her powerful Christian life. While leading countless multitudes to Christ, she redefined evangelism for the modern age. This positioned the advancing church for the biggest ingathering of new believers of all time. 

     Born and raised in New Lisbon, Ohio to a non-Christian family, Maria was ten years old when her parents experienced...