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Essek William Kenyon (1867—1948), better known as E. W. Kenyon, was an American evangelist, pastor, radio preacher, and author. He also wrote songs and poetry and founded Bethel Bible Institute in Spencer, Massachusetts (later renamed Providence Bible Institute and relocated to Rhode Island). Although Kenyon was not especially well-known in his lifetime, his teachings on the power of faith, positive confession, and miraculous healing played a significant role in developing the prosperity gospel and Word of Faith movements. His writings influenced later Pentecostal ministers such as Jimmy Swaggart, Kenneth Hagin, Oral Roberts, and Kenneth Copeland, so much so that some historians consider E. W. Kenyon the grandfather of prosperity theology.
E. W. Kenyon was born to an impoverished family in Hadley, New York, and grew up with only a limited education. At seventeen, he dedicated his life to Christ at a Methodist prayer meeting. He became an active church member and soul winner, preaching his first sermon at age nineteen in the Methodist church of Amsterdam, New York.
Kenyon initially made a living selling pianos and organs and, for a time, desired to become an actor. To that aim, he attended the Emerson School of Oratory in Boston in 1892. Lacking discipleship and the necessary foundation in the fundamental doctrines of Christianity, Kenyon drifted away from the faith for a season.
On May 8, 1893, E. W. Kenyon married Evva Spurling. A month later, the newlyweds attended a service led by pastor A. J. Gordon at Clarendon Street Baptist Church in Boston. The Holy Spirit deeply convicted Kenyon, and he enthusiastically rededicated his life to Christ. His bride followed suit.
Kenyon began ministry pastoring a small Free Will Baptist Church in Elmira, New York. He later pastored various churches in New England. During this time, he was introduced to the writings of George Mueller, whose teachings profoundly shaped Kenyon’s beliefs and ministry. As a result, E. W. and Evva decided to step out in faith to minister independently of any denominational ties. They held meetings at the local YMCA, teaching God’s Word and trusting the Lord to provide for their financial needs.
Many young people came to their meetings, receiving salvation and healing. They began seeking training from Kenyon, who opened Bethel Bible Institute in Spencer, Massachusetts, in 1898. Kenyon presided over the Bible school for the next twenty-five years. In 1923, the school moved to Dudley, Massachusetts (as Dudley Bible Institute) and then later to Providence, Rhode Island (as Providence Bible Institute). Eventually, it became Barrington College and merged with Gordon College, founded by E. W. Kenyon’s earlier pastor and mentor, A. J. Gordon.
Kenyon moved to Los Angeles, California, in 1923. At first, he preached in local churches and then planted Figueroa Independent Baptist Church, which grew to a membership of 1,000. In 1931, he broke ground in Christian radio ministry by launching Kenyon’s Church of the Air. Through this program, Kenyon became known as “the Faith Builder,” as many continued to claim healing through his ministry.
In later years, E. W. Kenyon moved to Seattle, Washington, where he continued his radio ministry and established New Covenant Baptist Church. He also wrote extensively.
E. W. Kenyon’s teachings were published in several books emphasizing the power of positive words spoken in faith, the concept of “revelation knowledge” over sensory knowledge, and the supernatural power available to born-again believers. These teachings have come under heavy scholarly criticism, with some suggesting that Kenyon’s ideas form a radical fundamentalist theology inspired by metaphysical New Thought systems. Although Kenyon was neither Pentecostal nor Charismatic, his writings contributed to the progression of the deeper life, Word of Faith, positive confession, charismatic, and prosperity gospel movements.
After Evva Kenyon died in 1914, E. W. married Alice Whitney. The couple had two children, a son and a daughter.
E. W. Kenyon died in 1948. His daughter, Ruth, continued to promote his publishing ministry through Kenyon’s Herald of Life newsletters and Kenyon’s Gospel Publishing Society.
Here are a few excerpts from E. W. Kenyon’s books:
“With that Word, we conquer disease. We say, ‘Disease, in the Name of Jesus Christ, stop being. Cancer, in the Name of Jesus, shrivel up and stop being. T. B., in the Name of Jesus, leave that body.’” (A New Type of Christianity)
“Faith talks in the language of God. Doubt talks in the language of man.” (What We Are in Christ)
“We confess disease and sickness cannot keep us in bondage because we understand the power of Jesus’ words on our lips. . . . The Word on our lips not only makes us free but sets others free. The Word on our lips heals the sick. The Word on our lips creates faith in the hearts of those who hear us. The Word on our lips will change the lives of others as they listen. It is the very life of God in those words—the life Jesus purchased for our sake by His death and resurrection.” (Power of Your Words Devotional)
