Jessie Penn-Lewis
Jessie Penn-Lewis
(1861–1927)
Jessie Penn-Lewis was a Welsh evangelical speaker and author of a number of
Christian evangelical works.
Early lifePenn-Lewis was born in Victoria Terrace, Neath in 1861[1]. Her father
was a Methodist minister. She was married to William Penn-Lewis.
Welsh revivalShe was involved in the 1904-1905 Welsh Revival, one of the largest
Christian revivals ever to break out, although the revival was abruptly
shortened with the mental and physical collapse of one of the leaders, Evan
Roberts. Penn-Lewis traveled internationally to take her message to audiences in
Russia, Scandinavia, Canada, the U.S., and India.
Penn-Lewis was close to Evan Roberts and there is some controversy associated
with her influence over him. After the breakdown by Roberts cut the revival
short, he stayed with the Penn-Lewis’s for a couple of years, but never fully
recovered. Ultimately, Penn-Lewis declared some of phenomena of the Welsh
Revival to be the work of Satan, declaring her still controversial position in
her book on spiritual warfare called War on the Saints, which describes the work
of demons on Christians, the theme for which Penn-Lewis is most known.
Influences
Penn-Lewis was influenced by the reformed South African writer Andrew Murray
among others, and her books contain quotes from him and references to his works.
Frank Buchman, the founder of the Oxford Group, credits Penn-Lewis with helping
him to turn his life around from depression when he heard her speak at a Keswick
Convention.[3] She also influenced Johan Oscar Smith, the founder of Brunstad
Christian Church and the missionary statesman Norman Grubb.