Maria Woodworth-Etter

Maria Woodworth-Etter (July 22, 1844–September 16, 1924) was an American healing evangelist. Her ministry style would serve as a model for Pentecostalism.^[1]

Life

She was born in New Lisbon, 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.^[2]

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".^[1]

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.^[1]

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.^[1]

In 1918, she founded what is today Lakeview Church of Indianapolis, Indiana.^[2]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d} Blumhofer, Edith L. The Assemblies of God: A Chapter in the Story of American Pentecostalism. Volume 1. Springfield, Missouri: Gospel Publishing House, 1989. ISBN 0882434578. Page 34-35.
2. ^ ^{a b} "Grandmother of the Pentecostal Mother", Healing and Revival, 2004. Accessed July 21, 2011.

Further reading

• A Diary of Signs and Wonders, Maria Woodworth-Etter, Harrison House, 1916.
• God's Generals, Roberts Liardon, Whitaker House, 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 McPherson and John G. Lake 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)

Persondata
Name	Woodworth-Etter, Maria
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	1844
Place of birth
Date of death	1924
Place of death