A.A. ALLEN – THE MIRACLE MAN

The Miracle Man: A.A. Allen

The 20th century was a remarkable period for Christian revivalist movements, with many great leaders rising to prominence. Names like Smith Wigglesworth and Billy Graham are etched in Christian history. Yet, amidst these towering figures, one name often overlooked outside North America is that of Asa Alonzo Allen, better known as A.A. Allen—the Miracle Man.

Beginnings

Asa Alonzo Allen was born on March 27, 1911, in Sulphur Rock, Arkansas, into difficult circumstances. Born into dire poverty, his parents struggled with alcoholism, and his mother, a Cherokee native, was often absent. Tragically, Allen’s early life was marked by hardship, with his mother giving him alcohol in his bottle to keep him quiet as a baby. This was the beginning of his long struggle with alcoholism.

As a young boy, Allen could often be seen singing on street corners to earn money for food—a foreshadowing of his future ministry. At the age of 14, he ran away from home, hopping freight trains, bumming rides, and taking on odd jobs wherever he could. Allegedly, in his early adult years, he even owned a dance hall and bootlegged alcohol.

The Turnaround: Life to Christ and Auspicious Beginnings

In 1934, Allen’s life took a dramatic turn. While driving past Onward Methodist Church in Miller, Missouri, he heard joyful singing. Curious, Allen stopped and entered the church. The following night, he committed his life to Christ. Later, he encountered Pentecostalism at a home meeting where he was filled with the Holy Spirit.

Allen’s desire to preach the Gospel that transformed his life led him to affiliate with the Assemblies of God. However, the Great Depression made it difficult to find steady work, and Allen moved to Colorado to work on a ranch. Despite the hard labor, he continued to preach in small towns whenever he had the chance.

In 1936, Allen was ordained as an Assemblies of God minister in a small town on the border of Colorado and Kansas. He continued to travel extensively, preaching wherever he was welcomed. By 1947, he had settled in Corpus Christi, Texas, where he hoped to establish a stable life for his family. The church grew under his leadership, but Allen’s passion to reach more people remained strong.

Beginnings of the Legend

In 1936, during his initial pastorate in Holly, Allen had a profound experience while fasting and praying. God spoke to him, giving him a list of thirteen things to follow for his ministry to be filled with God’s power. This list emphasized complete consecration and the laying down of sin, promising miraculous healings if followed.

Allen soon left the pastorate and became a traveling “singing healing evangelist.” During this period, he witnessed his first major miracle, healing a blind coal miner. Despite the strain on his family, Allen’s ministry continued to grow.

After attending a revival meeting held by Oral Roberts in 1949, Allen was inspired to launch his own healing revival campaign. He knew that he had to expand his ministry and reach as many people as possible.

Growth of Ministry

By 1951, Allen had purchased his first tent, and by 1953, his sermons were being broadcast on radios across the United States and Latin America. In 1955, he invested approximately $8,700 in one of the giant tents that were popular for revival meetings—a sum equivalent to over $100,000 today.

By 1956, Allen had secured one of the largest tents in the world, capable of holding more than 22,000 people. His ministry continued to grow, with over 360,000 subscribers to his Miracles Magazine at its peak. In 1958, Allen established a Bible school in Palominas, Arizona, on a 1,200-acre ranch donated by Urbane Leierdecker. This became the site of the Miracle Valley complex, where Allen built a 4,000-seat church in 1960.