Victorious Christians You Should Know!
George Whitefield
By Chris Lonzo
Dallimore, A. A. (1990). George Whitefield; God’s Anointed Servant in the Great Revival of the Eighteenth Century. Wheaton, Illinois: Crossway.
George Whitefield is one of the most influential evangelists of all time. His ability to preach the Gospel led many to Christ in England and Colonial America, but not without adversity and controversy. Arnold Dallimore describes Whitefield as “the greatest evangelist since the Apostle Paul.” From an early age, he was called to the service of the Lord, leading to an education at Oxford and ordination within the Church of England as a deacon by age 20. Whitefield was affiliated with John Wesley and Charles Wesley, who were credited with founding the Methodist Church. Whitefield preached to thousands in the open-air amidst much disdain and controversy. He completed thirteen trans-Atlantic crossings, maintaining his ministry in England while on missions to Colonial America. George Whitefield contributed to the “Great Awakening” in England and Colonial America. His influence spanned among the commoners and aristocracy of England, and he was revered throughout the American Colonies. Whitefield’s life ended as humbly as it began, but his influence and commitment to spreading the Gospel with “zeal” was nothing short of spectacular.
George Whitefield was born in Gloucester, Great Britain in 1714. He was born and lived in the Bell Inn, a prominent establishment that his parents, Thomas and Elizabeth, ran. George lost his father at the age of two and helped his mother run the inn through his teenage years. Whitefield discovered his passion for preaching during adolescence but remained committed to helping run the inn through its degradation as he waited to attend college. George entered Pembroke College at Oxford University in 1732. He devoted his life to godliness and pursuing higher learning. To pay his tuition, her worked as an errand boy (servitor) for the students. While at Oxford, he was part of the Holy Club alongside Charles Wesley. George was a fiercely disciplined and devoted theology student to the extent that it affected his health. Upon graduation from Oxford, Whitefield pursued Christian ministry.
Whitefield was ordained within the Church of England shortly after he graduated from Oxford in 1736. He sought to pursue graduate studies at Oxford, determined “to be first a saint and then a scholar at Oxford.” While he had financial support, George decided to preach instead of continuing his graduate studies at Oxford. Whitefield preached throughout London and Bristol, beginning to draw large crowds by the thousands. His preaching was said to have “virtually startled the nation.” Whitefield preached up to nine times a week, reaching the aristocracy of London and the common people. He began to publish sermons and letters in addition to his exhaustive preaching schedule. In 1737, after a year of aggressive preaching and writing, Whitefield encountered harsh criticism and opposition. While the opposition against him developed, he departed for Georgia, a trip he intended to take the prior year.
Whitefield departed for America as his friend John Wesley returned from Georgia on a tumultuous and challenging trip. While underway, across the Atlantic, Whitefield ministered to all aboard the Whitaker. He led Bible studies and worship services, and became the ship’s chaplain. His efforts profoundly and positively impacted all aboard throughout the four-month journey. Upon landing in Georgia, Whitefield captivated the people and gained great affection. He was the first exposure to evangelical Christianity for most of those he encountered. Whitefield concluded his ministry five months after landing in Georgia, enduring a long and frightening return to England during the winter of 1738.
Upon returning to England after his first missionary trip, Whitefield reunited with the Wesley’s and attained ordination as a priest within the Church of England. However, opposition to Whitefield grew while he was absent. Nine of prominent sermons were published and circulated throughout England, maintaining high admiration among his devoted followers. Whitefield’s sermon on the “New Birth” became a critical text for the Methodist movement. He soon re-engaged in preaching throughout England, Bristol, and Gloucester, taking to the “open-air,” and preaching the Gospel to thousands of people. Whitefield continued his tireless preaching and writing while leading Charles Wesley into open-air ministry.
Whitefield returned to Colonial America, where he preached throughout New England and back down to Georgia from 1739-1740. He played a significant part in the “Great Awakening,” preaching hundreds of times to thousands of people, reaching enslaved people, commoners, and highly influential leaders. Benjamin Franklin, a religious skeptic, became a friend of Whitefield’s and his publisher. Whitefield’s work included an orphanage ministry in Colonial America while also tending to his “Orphan House” back in England. Whitefield continued to influence thousands toward salivation, as he held the doctrine of Calvinism central to his preaching. He stated that he embraced the scheme of Calvinism, writing: “not because Calvin, but because Jesus Christ taught it to me.” As Whitefield stayed fiercely true to the word of God and his methods of preaching, opposition stirred between him and John Wesley.
Whitefield returned to England after completing stops in Wales and Scotland. Upon returning home, he married Elizabeth James and started a family, losing his only son, four years old, to illness. His preaching continued throughout England, and he was appointed as a moderator “for life” of “The Calvinistic Methodist Association.” Fierce public opposition to the Methodist movement led to Whitefield being accused of fanaticism and his attempted murder in 1744. He left for Colonial America again to continue his work, stopping in Bermuda on his return trip to England. In 1748, he arrived home and engaged in conference with James Wesley, Charles Wesley, and Howell Harris over their cooperation with the now two branches of the Methodist movement. Seeing no compromise, Whitefield conceded his position as the head of Calvinistic Methodism. Whitefield then endeavored to be “the servant of all,” saying, “Let my name die everywhere, let even my friends forget me if by that means the cause of the blessed Jesus may be promoted.”
Whitefield continued his exhaustive preaching throughout England, remaining loyal to the Church of England. Opposition, controversy, and false rumors followed Whitefield around England as he faithfully preached to all walks of life. He completed three more trips to Colonial America while maintaining his ministry at home. His wife Elizabeth died in 1768, after which he left on his final trip to the Colonies. Whitefield arrived in Charleston, then traveled to Philadelphia, New Hampshire, and finally Massachusetts. In September of 1770, in Newburyport, Massachusetts, he died peacefully after struggling through his final preaching schedule throughout the Colonies.
George Whitefield was a devout servant of the Lord through adversity and controversy. He dedicated his life to Christ and was committed to the salvation of others. His life is a testament to fierce devotion to the Gospel through discipline, purity, commitment, sacrifice, and teaching of sound doctrine. Whitefield influenced the lives of tens of thousands across two continents, stirring a movement that endures today. When committing ourselves to the work of the Lord, He reminds us to be “weary in thy work, but not weary of it.”