Kathryn Kuhlman, born in 1907 in Concordia, Missouri, became one of the most notable figures in the healing ministry of the 20th century. Her journey began at the age of 14 when she experienced a profound spiritual conversion during an evangelistic meeting. By the age of 16, she was sharing her testimony and traveling with her sister and brother-in-law, spreading the message of God's love and power.
Kuhlman's ministry took a significant turn in 1946 in Franklin, Pennsylvania, where she invited the Holy Spirit into a service, and a woman testified to being healed of a tumor. This marked the beginning of her focus on healing through the power of God. Kuhlman emphasized that Jesus was the true healer, as she famously stated, "I believe in miracles because I believe in God!"
In 1948, she held her first "miracle service" at Carnegie Hall in Pittsburgh, a city that would become central to her ministry. Her services were characterized by people being "slain in the Spirit," a testament to the presence of the Holy Spirit. Despite her rising fame, Kuhlman insisted that her ultimate goal was the salvation of souls, with divine healing being secondary to life transformation.
Kathryn Kuhlman expanded her reach through radio and television broadcasts, touching lives across the United States, Canada, and Europe. She founded the Kathryn Kuhlman Foundation in 1957 to provide scholarships and support various ministries. Her message was clear: "It's the power of God that does the healing. The only part I have in it is making Jesus real to the hearts of men and women."
Kuhlman passed away in 1976, but her legacy lives on through the countless lives touched by her ministry. Her story stands as a testament to the transformative power of faith and the active work of the Holy Spirit in our world.