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...

     My purpose in sharing these brief biographies of great Christian lives is to encourage you to go deeper in study of the lives of those who especially inspired you. Their stories can influence us in a way that is like being one of their disciples. The stories of those who walked with God still have power and an impartation, as do many of the biblical accounts.

     Studying the history of those who walked with God is one way we obey the commandment to “Honor your fathers and mothers.” This is the only commandment with a promise, and it...

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...