The Pentecostal and Healing Revival of the 1940s–1950s

The Second World War had ended, but the world was wounded and searching for hope. In churches across America, believers longed for a return to the power of the early apostles. Faith was growing, and hearts were hungry for more than routine religion. Many had heard of the outpourings in Wales and at Azusa Street and began to pray that the same Spirit would move again. It was in this climate that the Pentecostal and Healing Revival began to sweep across nations, bringing miracles, deliverance, and a renewed revelation of God’s power.

The revival began when William Branham, a humble minister from Kentucky, experienced a visitation of the angel of the Lord in 1946. Soon his meetings were filled with extraordinary healings and words of knowledge that drew multitudes. ‘The power of God fell like rain under the big tent,’ recalled Gordon Lindsay, who chronicled many of the early crusades. Across the country, massive tent meetings became common. Oral Roberts preached faith in a living God who could still heal. A. A. Allen and Jack Coe carried the same message with boldness and signs that made cities tremble. T. L. Osborn took the Gospel to the nations, holding outdoor crusades where entire crowds witnessed miracles and gave their lives to Christ. The movement crossed denominational lines and spread through magazines, radio, and film, reaching millions. It was an age of tents and trumpets, filled with prayer, repentance, and divine encounter.

The Pentecostal and Healing Revival emphasized faith, holiness, and the power of the Holy Spirit to meet human need. Its preachers proclaimed that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. They taught believers to expect miracles as evidence of a living God. The message of divine healing was central, not as a display of power but as a testimony of the compassion of Christ. Many were delivered from sickness, demonic oppression, and despair. The revival also restored confidence in evangelism through the demonstration of the Spirit and power rather than persuasion of words.

This revival reshaped the face of Christianity in the twentieth century. It gave birth to new ministries, Bible colleges, and mission movements that reached the ends of the earth. The message of faith and healing carried by these men and women laid the foundation for the Charismatic Renewal that would soon follow. The global spread of Pentecostalism owes much to the tents, sermons, and sacrifices of that generation. Their ministry style, emphasis on the Holy Spirit, and passion for evangelism continue to influence churches worldwide. The Healing Revival proved again that when men hunger for God, heaven responds with power.