Maria Woodworth-Etter
Encyclopedia
Maria Woodworth-Etter was an American healing evangelist
. Her ministry style would serve as a model for Pentecostalism
.
, Ohio
. In 1863, she married Philo Horace Woodworth, whom she divorced for infedlity in 1891. She had six children with Woodworth, five of whom died young. In 1902, she married Samuel Etter, who died in 1914.
After this experience, she began to preach. Reporting hundreds of conversions, her campaigns attracted reporters from across the country. She was briefly affiliated with the Brethren in Christ but eventually joined the Church of God of the General Eldership
founded by John Winebrenner
. She was dismissed from the Church of God in 1904.
She began to pray for the sick in 1885, believing that those with sufficient faith would be healed. Her meetings also became known for people falling to the floor in trance
-like states. These people would later report profound spiritual experiences while in such a state. As she preached throughout the nation, her reputation grew, leading her to purchase of an 8,000 seat tent in which to conduct her services. After 1912, she joined the young Pentecostal movement and preached widely in Pentecostal circles until her death.
In 1918, she founded what is today Lakeview Church of Indianapolis
, Indiana
.
Evangelism
Evangelism refers to the practice of relaying information about a particular set of beliefs to others who do not hold those beliefs. The term is often used in reference to Christianity....
. Her ministry style would serve as a model for Pentecostalism
Pentecostalism
Pentecostalism is a diverse and complex movement within Christianity that places special emphasis on a direct personal experience of God through the baptism in the Holy Spirit, has an eschatological focus, and is an experiential religion. The term Pentecostal is derived from Pentecost, the Greek...
.
Life
She was born in New LisbonNew Lisbon
New Lisbon is the name of several towns in the United States:*New Lisbon, Indiana*New Lisbon, New Jersey, today Pemberton, New Jersey*New Lisbon, New York*New Lisbon, Ohio, today Lisbon, Ohio*New Lisbon, Wisconsin*New Lisbon Township, Missouri...
, Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
. In 1863, she married Philo Horace Woodworth, whom she divorced for infedlity in 1891. She had six children with Woodworth, five of whom died young. In 1902, she married Samuel Etter, who died in 1914.
Ministry
Her earliest exposure to religion was through a local Disciples of Christ congregation. After her marriage, she chose to enter evangelistic ministry. Prohibited from public preaching among the Disciples, she found support in a local Quaker meeting. It was while associating with the Quakers that she claimed to receive a baptism in the Holy Spirit while praying for an "anointing for service".After this experience, she began to preach. Reporting hundreds of conversions, her campaigns attracted reporters from across the country. She was briefly affiliated with the Brethren in Christ but eventually joined the Church of God of the General Eldership
Churches of God General Conference (Winebrenner)
The Churches of God, General Conference is a Baptist Christian denomination in the United States originating in the revivalism and evangelistic efforts of John Winebrenner.-History:...
founded by John Winebrenner
John Winebrenner
John Winebrenner , founded the Churches of God General Conference.He studied at Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and was ordained in the German Reformed Church in 1820...
. She was dismissed from the Church of God in 1904.
She began to pray for the sick in 1885, believing that those with sufficient faith would be healed. Her meetings also became known for people falling to the floor in trance
Trance
Trance denotes a variety of processes, ecstasy, techniques, modalities and states of mind, awareness and consciousness. Trance states may occur involuntarily and unbidden.The term trance may be associated with meditation, magic, flow, and prayer...
-like states. These people would later report profound spiritual experiences while in such a state. As she preached throughout the nation, her reputation grew, leading her to purchase of an 8,000 seat tent in which to conduct her services. After 1912, she joined the young Pentecostal movement and preached widely in Pentecostal circles until her death.
In 1918, she founded what is today Lakeview Church of Indianapolis
Indianapolis
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
, Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
.
Further reading
- A Diary of Signs and Wonders, Maria Woodworth-Etter, Harrison House, 1916.
- God's Generals, Roberts Liardon, Whitaker HouseWhitaker HouseWhitaker House is a charismatic, theologically conservative, evangelical Christian publishing house in New Kensington, Pennsylvania, just east of Pittsburgh...
, 1996.- Documented within Roberts Liardon's book are accounts of the thousands of miracles that took place under the "power of God". Such miracles include the testimony of a man in which "cancer had eaten the entire side of his face and neck". Although the man was in great pain Sister Etter laid hands on him and prayed, the power of God hit him and all of the pain, stiffness and burning left immediately. He was then able to get up turn his neck from side to side and ended up preaching to the crowd (p.64)
- Another testimony is of a man who had three broken ribs. He was barely able to stand because of the pain he endured. As Sister Etter laid hands on him he flinched but after the prayer of faith was given the bones that were turned inward came into place. The same man, instantly healed, ended up pounding his ribs because he realized the pain and the swelling were gone (p.63).
- Many strong men and women of God followed her ministry and were profoundly influenced by her abilities with God. Aimee Semple McPhersonAimee Semple McPhersonAimee Semple McPherson , also known as Sister Aimee, was a Canadian-American Los Angeles, California evangelist and media celebrity in the 1920s and 1930s. She founded the Foursquare Church...
and John G. LakeJohn G. LakeJohn Graham Lake , usually known as John G. Lake, was a businessman who became known for his ministry as a missionary, faith healer, and founder of the Apostolic Faith Mission of South Africa...
were two healing evangelists that are highly noted and took as much from Maria Woodworth-Etters ministry as possible.
- Maria Woodworth Etter: The Complete Collection Of Her Life Teachings, compiled by Roberts Liardon. Albury Publishing (Publisher), Tulsa, Oklahoma, 2000. ISBN 1-57778-122-8.
External links
- Maria Woodworth-Etter: Strength Perfected in Weakness (Born-Again-Christian.Info)
- About Lakeview Church, Woodworth-Etter's Tabernacle
- Maria Woodworth-Etter: A Powerful Voice in the Pentecostal Vanguard (Enrichment Journal)
- Loose the Women (Christianity Today Library)
- Maria Woodworth-Etter Books (Ministry Helps)