HEROES OF THE FAITH: F.F. Bosworth: A Life Marked by Miraculous Healing and Mountain-moving Faith

Few men have left such a lasting impact on the landscape of divine healing ministry as F.F. Bosworth. A pioneering evangelist, radio preacher, and mentor to some of the most well-known healing evangelists of the 20th century, Bosworth’s ministry reached multitudes with the message of salvation and supernatural healing. His unwavering commitment to the truth of God’s Word—particularly regarding divine healing—led him to meticulously document over 250,000 letters and testimonies from people who had experienced miraculous healings through his ministry. He believed that these testimonies were “witnesses” to the faithfulness of God, living proof that Christ’s power to heal was just as real in his day as it was in the time of the apostles.

Bosworth’s influence extended far beyond his own meetings. He was a mentor to healing revivalists such as Oral Roberts, T.L. Osborn, William Branham, and many others. His classic book, Christ the Healer, became one of the most widely read works on divine healing and continues to inspire believers today.

Yet, before he became a herald of healing, Bosworth himself needed a miracle.

Bosworth’s own healing testimony, as recounted in God’s Generals: The Healing Evangelists by Roberts Liardon, is an inspiring example of how an encounter with God can change everything. While the following is not a direct excerpt, it is based on the powerful account shared in Liardon’s book, which details the miraculous healing that became the foundation for Bosworth’s future ministry.

As a young man, Bosworth’s future seemed uncertain, not because of a lack of ambition, but because of a life-threatening illness. At just nineteen years old, he was diagnosed with tuberculosis, an often fatal disease at the time. The doctors gave him no hope—his lungs were deteriorating, and he was expected to die. Knowing his time was short, he took a final journey to Fitzgerald, Georgia, to say goodbye to his parents.

But God had a different plan.

During his recovery, Bosworth attended a Methodist revival meeting where a healing evangelist named Miss Mattie Perry was preaching. Though he had only gone to seek spiritual encouragement, something greater was about to unfold. As he sat coughing through the service, Miss Mattie took notice of him. When the altar call was given, Bosworth went forward, not for healing, but simply to draw closer to God.

Miss Mattie, however, had a prophetic word for him. “Young man, God still has work for you to do. You are too young to die.” She then laid hands on him and prayed for complete healing. At that moment, something miraculous happened—Bosworth’s body began to recover. Over the next few days, his persistent cough vanished, and soon after, a doctor confirmed what Bosworth already knew: his lungs were completely healed.

This undeniable healing experience set the course for the rest of his life. Having witnessed the power of divine healing firsthand, Bosworth knew he could not stay silent. He had been healed for a purpose—to proclaim the Gospel not only as salvation for the soul but as healing for the body.

When I was going through my own struggle with chronic pain and had multiple doctors tell me that I would never recover, books like Christ the Healer were absolute game-changers. At that point, I believed in divine healing on a surface level, but I hadn’t yet fully stepped into it—I hadn’t yet realized that faith requires believing before seeing. Bosworth’s teachings, alongside others, helped me go from simply hoping for healing to actually experiencing it firsthand.

As I dove deeper into studying healing evangelists like Bosworth, I realized that so many of them had been healed themselves first before stepping into their callings. And that’s exactly what happened to me. Studying Bosworth’s life, his ministry, and his unwavering stand on God’s healing promises played a huge role in my own miracle.

I’ll be sharing more and more about my journey, as well as a preview of my upcoming book on divine healing, but if you’re looking for a foundational book that lays out the scriptural evidence for healing—both for the body and soul—I highly recommend Christ the Healer. 

This account is based on God’s Generals: The Healing Evangelists by Roberts Liardon, a powerful book that provides a detailed look at Bosworth’s life and ministry.

Liardon, Roberts. God’s Generals: The Healing Evangelists. New Kensington, PA: Whitaker House, 2000.