John Wimber
| John Richard Wimber | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born |
February 25, 1934 Kirksville, Missouri or Peoria, Illinois |
| Died | November 17, 1997 (aged 63) Orange County, California |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Christian author and pastor |
John Wimber (February 25, 1934 – November 17, 1997) was a musician, former Quaker, an early, pioneering pastor of charismatic congregations, and a popular author and thought leader in modern Christian publications on the third person of the Christian Trinity, the Holy Spirit, and its perceived action in modern churches through miraculous phenomena referred to as signs and wonders. Wimber was a founding leader of the first Vineyard church, a Christian movement that began in the United States and has become, as of 2017, a global denomination.
Wimber was born on February 25, 1934, as John Richard Wimber, to Basil and Genevieve Estelynn (Martin) Wimber. His place of birth is was either in Peoria, Illinois or in Kirksville, Missouri, and he was reportedly raised in Kirksville. His upbringing was not a notably religious one.
Wimber would become recognised as a talented musician, and he first played as a professional at the age of 15 at an Orange, California spot called Dixie Castle. Four years later, in 1953, Wimber won a first prize at the Lighthouse International Jazz Festival.
After a stint in the Army, Wimber, in his late 20's and known as Johnny, became involved in the Los Angeles and Orange County music scene. Wimber is described as having been a talented keyboardist and vocalist, and earned his way for a time as a professional, full-time musician, including as pianist for the duo, The Righteous Brothers (which he also managed for a time).
Around this time, Wimber began attending a Quaker church in Yorba Linda, California and he became a Christian in May 1963. In subsequent years his evangelical work grew, and by 1970, he was leading 11 different Bible study groups that involved more than 500 people. In 1974 he became the Founding Director of the Department of Church Growth at the Charles E. Fuller Institute of Evangelism and Church Growth, which was founded by the Fuller Theological Seminary and the Fuller Evangelistic Association. He directed the department until 1978.
...
Wikipedia