John G. Lake (1870–1935) was a prominent Christian minister, missionary, and healing evangelist, known for his dynamic ministry that emphasized healing, the baptism in the Holy Spirit, and the power of prayer. He played a significant role in the Pentecostal movement, and his ministry had a lasting impact on both the United States and Africa. Here’s an overview of his life, ministry, and legacy:
Early Life and Conversion
John G. Lake was born in Canada in 1870 but grew up in the United States. He was raised in a Christian home but struggled with personal illness and the challenges of life. After experiencing personal suffering, he had a powerful encounter with God that led to his conversion. He eventually received a call to ministry, and through a series of events, became deeply involved in the Pentecostal movement, especially after receiving the baptism in the Holy Spirit.
Ministry in Africa
In the early 1900s, Lake moved to South Africa, where he became a missionary. His time in Africa is notable for the large number of healings and the establishment of a powerful Pentecostal ministry. Lake’s healing ministry was transformative, and he is reported to have established over 600 churches in South Africa. Many testimonies of miraculous healings emerged from this time, and his ministry attracted large crowds.
Lake believed that God’s power to heal was available to believers, and he often trained others in praying for the sick. He also laid the groundwork for the spread of Pentecostalism in southern Africa. His work was pivotal in establishing the Apostolic Faith Mission, a Pentecostal denomination, in South Africa.
Healing Ministry in Spokane, Washington
One of the most famous aspects of Lake’s ministry occurred when he moved to Spokane, Washington, in 1914. Here, he built a healing ministry that became well-known for its effectiveness. He founded the Divine Healing Institute and established a series of healing rooms where people could come to receive prayer for physical healing. It’s widely reported that thousands of people were healed during his ministry in Spokane, which earned the city a reputation as one of the healthiest in the United States at the time.
Lake often preached about the reality of God’s power to heal and how believers could pray for others in faith. One of his notable healing testimonials came from when Lake claimed that medical doctors in Spokane verified the healings taking place under his ministry, lending credibility to his healing practices.
Baptism in the Holy Spirit and Speaking in Tongues
Lake was a strong proponent of the baptism in the Holy Spirit, a doctrine central to the Pentecostal movement. This experience, according to Pentecostal theology, is separate from salvation and involves a deeper filling of the Holy Spirit, often evidenced by speaking in tongues. Lake taught that this experience empowered believers to live victorious Christian lives, walk in the Spirit, and have authority over sickness, sin, and demons.
He also emphasized the importance of speaking in tongues, viewing it as a spiritual gift that connected believers to God in a deep and powerful way. In his ministry, he would often lay hands on individuals to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit and speak in tongues as a sign of the empowering presence of God.
Famous Quotes
Some of John G. Lake’s most well-known quotes reflect his deep faith and his emphasis on healing, the power of the Holy Spirit, and the believer’s authority in Christ. Here are a few:
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“You cannot think healing. You cannot pray healing. You must believe healing.”
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“When you know that God is with you, and when you have received the Spirit of God, you will have power to do what He did, to speak the word and see it come to pass.”
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“I have discovered that there is a more wonderful realm of life where God Himself is so real that a man can be filled with God, and that every obstacle to health and life and power can be driven out.”
Legacy
John G. Lake’s legacy continues to resonate today, particularly within the Pentecostal and Charismatic movements. His teachings on healing, the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and the believer’s authority have shaped generations of believers. The healing rooms he established in Spokane influenced many subsequent healing ministries, and his emphasis on faith for healing continues to be a hallmark of many modern healing ministries.
Lake’s ministry also contributed to the growth of Pentecostalism in the United States and beyond. His teachings have influenced many churches and ministries that embrace the supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit, and his books and recorded sermons continue to inspire people to pursue deeper experiences with God.
In 1924, Lake returned to Spokane and continued his ministry there, but over time, the pressures of ministry took their toll. He died in 1935, but his impact lived on, especially through the many who were influenced by his message of faith, healing, and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.
Conclusion
John G. Lake was a pioneering figure in the Pentecostal movement, known for his healing ministry, his emphasis on the baptism in the Holy Spirit, and his commitment to spreading the Gospel with signs and wonders. His legacy is still felt today through the many ministries that continue to emphasize Divine healing and the supernatural power of God.
