Compassion on people as a stimulus for the development of the church's healing ministry : lessons from the lives of two Pentecostal pioneers

Abstract

The church’s healing ministry developed rapidly during the past century, with more and more churches, as well as individuals, becoming involved in this ministry. The question of what the key components of a successful healing ministry are thus arises. The ministries of two Pentecostal pioneers who were influential in the establishment and further development of Pentecostalism in South Africa (Lake during the period 1908 to 1912 and Wigglesworth during 1936), the United States and other parts of the world are studied in this regard. It is clear from both their actions and their own reflections on the topic that a divine compassion on the sick was an essential element in the development of their respective ministries. The article concludes by emphasising the importance of this aspect in the training and equipping of those wishing to enter into similar ministries.