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The Remarkable Life and Ministry of John G. Lake

John G. Lake was a man who lived in the supernatural realm of God. He was a man of faith who believed that nothing was impossible with God. He was a man of power who demonstrated God’s healing and miracle-working ability to a sick and dying world. He was a man of love who cared for the souls and bodies of people from all walks of life. He was a man of vision who ignited a revival fire that spread across continents and generations. He was a man of God who left a legacy of grace and glory that still inspires us today.


This is his story.


John G Lake Quote

In his lifetime, Lake witnessed over one million people converted to Christ, hundreds of thousands healed from various diseases and conditions, and countless miracles performed in the name of Jesus. He established healing rooms in South Africa and the United States where people could come for prayer and receive healing free of charge. He trained other believers to minister healing in the power of the Holy Spirit. He preached the gospel with signs and wonders following.


John G. Lake was a man who experienced God’s power in extraordinary ways. He was a pioneer of the healing ministry, a missionary to Africa, and a revivalist who saw thousands of lives transformed by the gospel. His story is one of faith, courage, and perseverance in the face of challenges and opposition.


Lake was born on March 18, 1870 in Ontario, Canada. When he was small his family moved to Michigan, in the United States. He grew up in a large family that was plagued by sickness and death. Eight of his siblings died before reaching adulthood. Lake himself suffered from rheumatism and kidney trouble. He witnessed the pain and grief that disease caused and developed a hatred for it.


Lake became a Christian at a young age, attending a Salvation Army meeting and inviting Jesus to be his Lord and Savior. He felt a call to the ministry and studied to become a Methodist minister. However, he decided to pursue a career in business instead, hoping to provide for his family and help his sick relatives. He married Jennie Stevens and had eight children with her.

Lake’s life changed dramatically when he encountered the healing ministry of John Alexander Dowie, a Scottish preacher who claimed to have divine authority to heal the sick. Lake took his brother, who was an invalid, to Dowie’s healing rooms in Chicago and saw him instantly healed. He also witnessed the healing of his two sisters, who had cancer and bleeding problems. Finally, he received prayer for his wife, who had tuberculosis and heart disease, and she was also healed.

Lake was amazed by the power of God and began to study the scriptures to understand more about healing. He came across Acts 10:38, which says: “You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good, and healing all who were oppressed by the devil; for God was with Him.” He realized that Jesus is the healer and Satan is the oppressor of men. He joined Dowie’s Church and became a deacon in a branch that opened in his hometown of Sault Ste Marie.


Lake’s faith was tested when his wife Jennie was accidentally shot by their four-year-old son in 1899. Following Dowie’s teachings, Lake refused medical help and depended on prayer. The incident attracted media attention and criticism from the public. Lake defended his decision and trusted God for a miracle. Jennie survived the gunshot wound but died nine years later from malnutrition.


Lake moved to Chicago in 1904 to work with Dowie. He hungered for more of God’s presence and spent nine months seeking a deeper level of the Holy Spirit. He experienced a powerful encounter with God that filled him with joy and peace. He also received an increase of spiritual gifts, such as discernment and healing. He began to pray for the sick and saw many miracles happen. Lake felt that God was calling him to start his own ministry. He also had a vision of Africa burning with revival fire. He left Dowie’s church and became a pastor in Indianapolis for a short time. Then he went to South Africa as a missionary in 1908 with his seven children (his eighth child died shortly after birth). He faced many hardships and dangers in Africa, such as malaria, snakes, lions, robbers, and hostile tribes. But he also saw God move mightily through his preaching and healing ministry.



Leaves of Healing Dowie

In five years, Lake saw over one million people converted to Christ, hundreds of churches planted, and over one thousand local ministers raised up. He established healing rooms where people could come for prayer and receive healing from various diseases and conditions. He also trained other believers to minister healing in the name of Jesus. He demonstrated God’s love and power to people of different races, cultures, and religions.


Lake returned to the United States in 1913 with his children. His wife Jennie had died in 1908 while he was in Africa. He remarried Gertrude Wright Sears and continued his traveling ministry across the country. One of the places he was invited to speak was Spokane, Washington. There he was asked to start a healing room ministry similar to what he had done in Africa.



Lake agreed and opened up a healing room where people could come for prayer free of charge. Over an approximately five year period, over 100,000 healings were reported. Spokane was declared “the healthiest city in the United States” by the government. People came from all over the country and the world to receive prayer from Lake and his team of volunteers.


What did you learn? How can you apply what you have learnt into your own life?


You can also check out the Revival School, an Online Christian School that offers free programs.


Let me know in the comments below!

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