A Canadian-American leader in the Pentecostal movement that started in the early 20th century, John Graham Lake (March 18, 1870 – September 16, 1935) is renowned as a faith healer, missionary, and co-founder of the Apostolic Faith Mission of South Africa alongside Thomas Hezmalhalch. Pentecostalism was the most successful religious movement in southern Africa throughout the 20th century, and Lake was instrumental in its expansion through his African missionary efforts from 1908 to 2019.
Following his missionary service in Africa, Lake spent ten years evangelizing, mostly along the U.S. west coast, where he established churches and set up “healing rooms” and healing campaigns. Charles Parham’s and John Alexander Dowie’s healing ministries had an impact on Lake.
Early Life and Career
In 1886, Lake, who was born in St. Marys, Ontario, Canada, relocated to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. He had sixteen siblings, eight of whom unfortunately died while he was a young boy. At the age of 21, Lake claimed to have been ordained into the Methodist ministry after graduating from high school. His early professional specifics and seminary enrollment, however, are still a little hazy, as historical records point to a less formal theological education.
After relocating to Chicago in the late 1800s, Lake worked in a variety of fields, including construction, roofing, and real estate. A well-known figure in the Christian Catholic Church, John Alexander Dowie, had an impact on his early religious path. Lake became involved in the healing services provided by Dowie’s group after joining it.
Missionary Work
Lake continued his missionary activity from 1908 to 1913 after founding the Apostolic Faith Mission of South Africa (AFM) with Thomas Hezmalhalch in 1908. It seems that Lake and Hezmalhalch were the first Pentecostal missionaries to bring speaking in tongues to South Africa. Before joining their church, many of the members were Zionists who supported faith healing and were affiliated with Dowie’s group. Morton states, “Lake was instrumental in spreading this fusion of Zionism/Pentecostalism as that is unique to southern Africa… About half of southern African Christians this year [2023] are adherents of it… Lake played a decisive role in the spreading of this ‘second evangelization’.” Pieter L. Le Roux of Wakkerstroom and other early Zionists were drawn to Lake’s movement.
The majority of the AFM’s African members subsequently broke away, creating many Zionist Christian groups, as a result of the segregationist tendencies of its white membership.
Jennie, Lake’s first wife, passed away on December 22, 1908, just six months after he arrived in South Africa. He called his wife’s passing “Satan’s masterstroke.” With the assistance of his sister Irene, he raised his seven children while working in Africa for an additional four years.
There was some controversy surrounding Lake’s ministry in South Africa. According to Morton, Lake was charged with embezzling AFM funding, specifically preventing them from reaching impoverished rural communities, although this was later proven false. The healings that took place throughout his ministry were meticulously recorded. Additionally, he penned “an analysis of the missionary that was full of blatant lies.” A “seemingly preconceived notion of Lake as a fraud and scam, supported by an unbalanced utilisation and unfair treatment of resources” is something Marius Nel emphasizes in his opposing viewpoint.
Later Years and Healing Ministry
On February 1, 1913, Lake made his way back to America, and in September of the same year, he married Florence Switzer. “Men these days consider themselves to be happily married once,” said Lake in reference to this second marriage. I have been extremely privileged in that I have been happily married twice.” Five children were born from this union.
After preaching on the road for a year, Lake moved to Spokane, Washington, in July 1914, and started serving at “The Church of Truth.” He established what he called “Lake’s Divine Healing Rooms” and founded an organization named The Divine Healing Institute. From 1915 to May 1920, Lake operated the “healing rooms” before relocating to Portland, Oregon, for a five-year ministry of a similar nature.
Before returning to Spokane in 1931, he proceeded to establish churches and “healing rooms” throughout the California coast, eventually traveling to Houston, Texas in 1927. When he returned to Spokane, he bought an old church and started building his last healing room and church.
Lake passed away at the age of 65 on September 16, 1935, following a severe stroke in 1935.
Published Books
Some of his published books are:
- Baptism In The Holy Ghost – John G. Lake
- From The Diary Of John G. Lake – John G. Lake
- How To Be Filled With Spiritual Power – John G. Lake
- John G. Lake Apostle To Africa – Gordon Lindsay
- John G. Lake On Dominion Over Demons, Disease and Death – Gordon Lindsay
- John G. Lake On Healing – Roberts Liardon
- Living in God’s Power – John G. Lake
- Moses Rebuke – John G. Lake
- Sanctification – John G. Lake
- Spiritual Hunger and Other Sermon – John G. Lake
- The Collected Works of John G. Lake – John G. Lake
- The Holy Ghost Made Manifest – John G. Lake
- The Real Christian – John G. Lake
- Your Power In The Holy Spirit – John G. Lake
