Charles Parham

Charles Parham was an American preacher and a key figure in the early Pentecostal movement, which began in the early 1900s. He is best known for promoting the belief in "speaking in tongues" as a sign of receiving the Holy Spirit. Parham founded the Bethel Bible School in Kansas, where he taught that this experience was essential for Christian believers. His ideas significantly influenced modern Pentecostalism, emphasizing personal spiritual experiences and revivalism. Parham’s legacy is mixed, as he faced criticism for his views on race and other doctrinal issues, but his impact on Christianity remains significant.