George Whitefield

George Whitefield was a minister in the Church of England and was famous for his preaching in America which was a significant part of the Great Awakening movement of Christian revivals. He was born in 1714 and died in Newburyport, Connecticut in 1770.

He was a part of the 'Holy Club' at Oxford University with the brothers, John Wesley and Charles Wesley, founders of the Methodist Church.

In 1738 Whitefield preached a series of revivals in Georgia. When he returned to America in 1740 he preached nearly everyday for months to large crowds of sometimes several thousand people as he traveled throughout the colonies, especially New England.

Like his contemporary and acquaintance, Jonathan Edwards, Whitefield preached with a Calvinist theology. He was known for his ability to appeal to the emotions of a crowd and unlike most preachers of his time spoke extemporaneously, rather than reading his sermon from notes. His more democratic speaking style was greatly appealing to the American audience. Benjamin Franklin once attended a revival meeting in Philadelphia and was greatly impressed with his ability to deliver a message to such a large audience. He was also know to be able to use the newspaper media for beneficial publicity. His revolutionary preaching style shaped the way which sermons delivered. He was the father of Evangelicalism. He was certainly the best known preacher in America in the 18th century, and because he traveled through all of the American colonies, and drew great crowds and media coverage, he was one of the most widely recognized public figures in America before George Washington.

References

• Stout, Harry S. The Divine Dramatist: George Whitefield and the Rise of Modern Evangelicalism. Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, 1991.