George Whitefield was one of the most influential preachers of the 1700s and a central figure in the First Great Awakening. I’m on my third pass through Arnold Dallimore’s two-volume set on Whitefield’s life and have seen the movie A Great Awakening twice.
Here are 10 of my biggest takeaways.
1. Use your strengths.
Whitefield had an extraordinary speaking voice and theatrical training. He made the most of those skills, preaching outdoors to thousands and captivating them with his dramatic style.
Lesson: Identify your gifts, and use them confidently.
2. Adapt to reach more people.
When churches closed their doors to him, Whitefield preached in fields.
Lesson: If one path is blocked, find another way to reach your goal.
3. Communication matters more than position.
Whitefield wasn’t tied to a single church, but his ability to communicate made him hugely influential.
Lesson: How you share ideas can matter more than your official role or title.
4. Consistency builds impact.
Whitefield preached 18,000 sermons across two continents over three decades.
Lesson: Long-term consistency beats short bursts of effort.
5. Build strategic relationships.
Whitefield worked alongside others, even when he disagreed with them. For example, he partnered with John and Charles Wesley in ministry endeavors, despite sharp theological differences.
Lesson: You can collaborate with people without agreeing on everything.
6. Embrace criticism without stopping.
Whitefield faced intense opposition and criticism, including from the Anglican Church. Their rejection of him is partly what drove him to spend so much time preaching in the Colonies instead of exclusively in England.
Lesson: Expect pushback if you’re doing something meaningful, and keep going.
7. Have a clear core message.
Whitefield’s preaching focused on spiritual transformation and the simple Gospel of grace.
Lesson: Keep the Gospel clear and simple.
8. Energy and passion are contagious.
People traveled miles to hear Whitefield because of his radical enthusiasm.
Lesson: Passion can inspire others more than facts alone.
9. Youth are central to any awakening.
Jonathan Edwards recorded that the revival was chiefly among the young.
Lesson: If you miss youth, you miss the movement.
10. Acknowledge complexity and flaws.
Whitefield initially opposed slavery and, unlike many of the day, considered African-American slaves as valuable eternal souls who could become Christians. But he eventually supported slavery in Georgia as a means to keep afloat his pet project, an orphanage. This terrible decision marred his legacy.
Lesson: You can learn from someone’s strengths while being honest about their failures.
Final thoughts
Isn’t it incredible that, after nearly 300 years, George Whitefield’s life still gives us principles that might help us prepare for revival? It’s time for another Great Awakening!
Make it so, Lord!
