The ministry of Maria Woodworth-Etter (1844–1924) is
often called the most powerful of the modern era. She was born in
Ohio, the fourth daughter of Samuel and Matilda Underwood, who
eventually had eight children.
At the age of thirteen, she went forward in a church service when
the pastor gave an invitation to seek the Lord. Following this,
Maria involved herself in the church and zealously attended
services.
Maria felt called to serve God, but she did not feel qualified. She
told God that if He would show her what to do, she would obey Him
and go into the ministry. She began to hold meetings, and many were
converted, healed, and filled with the Holy Spirit.
Maria traveled across North America many times and preached to
thousands of people in all the large cities in the United States.
Many dramatic healings of the most incurably sick occurred. Broken
bones were instantly mended, the lame walked, demons were cast out,
and even the dead were raised to life. Both she and her audiences
reported many visions they had of heaven, angels, the New
Jerusalem, and forthcoming events, including earthquakes and wars
that subsequently occurred. Moreover, hundreds of thousands of
people were saved through this remarkable ministry.