A. A. Allen: The Miracle Evangelist of Pentecostal Fire
- Faith
GospelExplore
- 0
- 12 minutes read
“The price of God’s miracle-working power is death to self.” – A. A. Allen
A. A. Allen was one of the most influential voices in the American healing revival movement of the 20th century. With boldness, passion, and a deep hunger for the supernatural power of God, Allen stirred multitudes through fiery preaching, miraculous healings, and a tireless crusade for souls. He believed that the miracle-working power of God was available to all who would seek it with purity and passion.
Birth and Early Life
Asa Alonzo Allen was born on March 27, 1911, in Sulphur Rock, Arkansas, USA. He was born into poverty and raised in a deeply troubled environment. His parents, Walter Allen and Maude Allen, struggled with alcoholism, and his early years were marked by hardship, instability, and spiritual darkness.
Though he had limited education and a rough upbringing, God had a divine purpose for Allen’s life. Like Moses from the wilderness, Allen was being prepared for a future encounter with God that would set his heart ablaze.
Conversion and Call to Ministry
A. A. Allen gave his life to Christ in his early 20s after attending a revival meeting at a Methodist church. Not long after, he felt a strong call to ministry and began preaching in small Pentecostal churches. He later joined the Assemblies of God, where his gift for dynamic preaching quickly drew attention.
In 1936, he married Lexie Allen, who would become a faithful partner in his ministry. Together, they had children and traveled the country as evangelists.
The Turning Point: Encounter with God
The defining moment of Allen’s life came in the late 1940s. Although he had a growing ministry, he longed for the supernatural manifestations he read about in the Bible and saw in the lives of other evangelists like Oral Roberts and William Branham.
In desperation, Allen locked himself in a closet and cried out to God for more. There, he claimed, God gave him a vision and a list of thirteen things he needed to do in order to walk in miracle-working power. These included things like dying to self, complete consecration, and childlike faith.
Soon after, his ministry exploded with miraculous signs, healings, and deliverances. People began to flock to his meetings by the thousands.
Healing Ministry and Tent Revivals
A. A. Allen became one of the leading figures of the Voice of Healing Revival in the 1950s and 60s. His crusades were marked by powerful displays of the Holy Spirit, including:
- Healing of the blind, deaf, and lame
- Demonic deliverances
- Instant miracles and creative healings
- Baptism in the Holy Spirit
He was known for his giant tent revivals, which could seat over 10,000 people. One of the most well-known testimonies from his ministry is the miraculous healing of a young boy with twenty-six major diseases—an event that stunned doctors and turned many hearts to Christ.
Media and Global Outreach
Allen was a pioneer in using media for evangelism. He launched the “Miracle Revival Hour”, a radio and television program that reached millions across America and beyond. He also published the magazine “Miracle Magazine”, filled with testimonies, teachings, and crusade updates.
Through his preaching, he emphasized faith, holiness, and the full gospel. His style was bold, emotional, and uncompromising. He encouraged believers to expect miracles and live victoriously.
Controversies and Challenges
A. A. Allen’s life was not without controversy. In 1955, he resigned from the Assemblies of God due to a dispute related to a rumored arrest for public intoxication. Though the charges were never fully proven, the incident damaged his reputation among some Pentecostal circles.
Nonetheless, Allen continued independently and established A. A. Allen Revivals, Inc. He also built a large ministry center called Miracle Valley in Arizona, which included a Bible college, church, printing press, and dormitories for students.
Personal Life and Family
Allen remained married to Lexie Allen, and they served together in ministry until his death. His wife and children were active in the work of the Lord, and many of his associates carried on the revivalist torch.
Despite his powerful ministry, Allen also battled personal weaknesses, including struggles with alcohol—a factor that would later play into his premature death.
Death and Legacy
A. A. Allen passed away on June 11, 1970, in San Francisco, California, at the age of 59. The official cause of death was reported as liver failure due to acute alcoholism, a tragic end to a man who had seen so many set free.
While his death raised questions, it did not erase the undeniable impact of his life. Multitudes were healed, saved, and empowered through his ministry. Many modern healing evangelists and Pentecostal leaders trace their roots back to the revival fires Allen helped ignite.
Impact and Lasting Influence
- Miracle Valley Bible College trained hundreds of ministers
- Tent revival movement grew rapidly under his influence
- Media ministries learned from his early radio and television strategies
- Healing evangelists like R.W. Schambach (his protégé) continued his legacy
Allen’s famous book, “The Price of God’s Miracle-Working Power,” is still widely read by those hungry for revival and spiritual depth.
Conclusion: A Vessel of Power and Imperfection
A. A. Allen was a man of deep faith, passionate pursuit, and human weakness. He was not perfect, but he was powerful. His story reminds us that God uses broken vessels to display His glory. Like Samson, Allen’s life was a mix of strength and struggle—but in the hands of God, he became a trumpet of miracles.
Let us learn from both his fire and his flaws—and, above all, let us hunger for the move of God that can change a generation.
Scripture Inspiration
“And these signs shall follow them that believe…” – Mark 16:17
“Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord.” – Zechariah 4:6
