Let's not waste our time quarreling over methods. God has use for all of us. Remember the recipe in the old adage for rabbit stew? It began, "first catch your rabbit.

Aimee Semple McPherson did not hold back when it came to her passion for revealing God's glory and majesty. She believed a great God would help her do great things-and He did. She broke the mold when it came to evangelism and accomplished more in her short lifetime than almost any other evangelist in the early twentieth century.

God chose this unusual vessel to leave His mark on modern culture in unprecedented ways; from building the largest church auditorium of her day to launching an international radio station to creating a world renowned Bible school to founding a dynamic global denomination. Her legacy is still felt through the massive social services provided through Angeles Temple and its affiliate, The Dream Center-housing, feeding, and training thousands of homeless and needy daily (www.angelestemple.com).

A Christian of strong purpose and far-reaching vision, God used this stylish woman to accomplish what no man had yet been able to do in ministry. Not only was she one of the first internationally renowned female Pentecostal evangelists, but she was also the mastermind behind one of the largest and most successful churches of her day.  

Meeting the Masses  

A performing artist herself, Aimee used every new technology at her disposal to create surround-sound dramatic productions of the Good News that became the envy of Hollywood producers.  Her extravagant costumes, elaborate sets, and imaginative presentations reached thousands with the Gospel Over the course of her life, she composed 175 songs and hymns, several operas, and thirteen dramatic-oratories.

Taking to the Air

A true visionary, Aimee was a forerunner of Christian multimedia-a pioneer in Christian broadcasting bringing her healing crusades to newly charted air and video waves. In 1924, one year after opening Angeles Temple , she launched the first church-owned radio station in the country and was the first single women to obtain and FCC license.  Her creative programming included an action serial called "The Adventures of Jim Trask:  Lone Evangelist" as well as children's bible stories, Christian concerts, and organ recitals. 

Her tenacity, creativity, and courage have left a far-reaching legacy both in Christian broadcasting and entertainment, as well as crusade evangelism and denominational practices. She reached the unreachable and opened territory for Christ where literally no man had gone before. She set the stage for greats like Kathryn Kuhlman, who was just giving her life to the Lord in 1922, and who would later host the first regularly televised evangelistic healing program.

In the same year Aimee opened Angeles Temple , she founded the world-renown LIFE (Lighthouse of International Foursquare Evangelism) Bible College where she was a devoted instructor and personally took part in graduating over 8,000 ministers. Today, Life  Pacific College (www.lifepacific.edu) graduates hundreds of trained ministers annually who continue to grow and multiply the 50,000 churches associated with the Foursquare denomination-now in 147 countries with more than 5 million members worldwide (www.foursquare.org).

All of these ministries were in place so that when the economic collapse of 1933 debilitated America , Angeles Temple , with the help of KFSG, was in a position to meet the needs of a nation in its most desperate hour. Angelus Temple provided meals, clothing, medical care, and other services to an estimated 1.5 million needy people. Aimee's soup kitchen reportedly fed some 80,000 people in its first month of operation.  The clothing, blankets, freed medical clinic, and homeless shelter all came about through the fundraising broadcasts of KFSG.

On the heels of the Great Depression came World War II.  In 1942, Aimee led a brass band and color guard into downtown Los Angeles to sell war bonds and sold $150,000 worth in one hour, more than any other entity had at that time. The U.S. Treasury awarded her a special citation for her patriotic endeavors. Her regular Friday night War Time meetings also gained the attention and appreciation of President Roosevelt and California 's governor, Culbert Olson.

With all the pressure of running Angelus Temple and its many branches, a Bible college, and a radio station, as well as directing her grandiose productions and conducting weekly healing services, Aimee's health began to suffer. Her doctor prescribed tranquilizers in order for her to get the rest she so badly needed. On September 27, 1944, as she battled for sleep, she accidentally took a fatal overdose. She was fifty-three years old when she went home to meet her Lord. Aimee's life left an indelible mark that shaped the face of Christianity the world over.