F.F. Bosworth in South Africa: A Historical Analysis of His Later Ministry and Healing Methodology

Abstract

This article will focus primarily on the last ten years of F.F. Bosworth’s life with particular emphasis on his experiences in South Africa in 1951. Its purpose is to show how his healing methodology changed as a result of his new experiences on foreign soil. An understanding of his changes and development in the healing ministry will shed light on the ministry of healing as it relates to missionary-evangelism. This study will also allow the church to know more about the ministry potential of aging Christian workers and the gospel of healing as a universal message.

Five areas will be considered: 1.) His struggle with aging; 2) His recognition of spiritual gifts; 3.) His use of healings as object lessons; 4.) His discovery of mass faith; and 5.) His burden for foreign missions.

As a result of his experiences in South Africa, Bosworth gained new insight into divine healing that resulted in new methods of ministry and a new vision for foreign missions. Despite being 74 years of age, he would spend the rest of his life (six years) visiting foreign countries as a missionary-evangelist.

Keywords: Pentecostalism, Fred Francis Bosworth, Charismatic Movements, Evangelism, Missions, Divine Healing, Revival