Factory Worker's Humble Beginnings
Aiden Wilson Tozer, born on April 21, 1897, in La Jose, Pennsylvania, found his life transformed by a personal encounter with God that would shape the 20th-century Christian landscape. Raised in humble beginnings, Tozer's early years were marked by hardship and toil. When a fire destroyed their home, his family relocated to Akron, Ohio, where Tozer worked long hours in a rubber factory. Despite these challenges, he harbored a deep intellectual curiosity, finding solace in the public library.
Street Preacher Salvation Story
At 17, Tozer's life took a dramatic turn. As he walked home from work, he overheard a street preacher whose words struck him deeply: 'If you don't know how to be saved, just call on God, saying, "Lord, be merciful to me, a sinner."' That evening, Tozer secluded himself in an attic, wrestling in prayer. He emerged a changed man, having found new life in Christ.
From Factory to Ministry
This newfound faith ignited in Tozer a fervent desire to know God more intimately. Without formal theological training, he began his ministry in 1919 with the Christian and Missionary Alliance. Over the next 40 years, Tozer served as a pastor, most notably at Southside Alliance Church in Chicago, and later in Toronto. His commitment to prayer and study became the foundation of his ministry, leading him to write over 40 books, including the classics "The Pursuit of God" and "The Knowledge of the Holy."
Tozer's writings focused on understanding God's attributes, such as His holiness and wisdom, urging believers to seek a genuine relationship with God. He famously warned against creating false images of God, stating, 'An idol of the mind is as offensive to God as an idol of the hand.'
Legacy of Passionate Faith
Throughout his life, Tozer experienced a profound sense of God's presence and guidance. His teachings encouraged believers to pursue God passionately, as he himself did, often spending hours in prayer. Tozer's legacy endures through his writings, which continue to inspire and challenge Christians to deepen their faith.
In recounting his journey, Tozer remarked, 'I have found God to be cordial and generous and in every way easy to live with.' His life exemplifies a relentless pursuit of God and a commitment to proclaiming the knowledge of the Holy.
