Ralph Wilkerson, ‘Hero of the Charismatic Renewal,’ Dies
Reverend Ralph Wilkerson reportedly died on Wednesday, Dec. 12. With his wife, Eileen, Wilkerson was the founder and pastor of the Melodyland Christian Center in Anaheim, California. Wilkerson was best known for powerful teaching and healing miracles.
Melodyland, a former theater bought by Wilkerson in 1969, became one of the largest and most influential charismatic churches and was the site of great Holy Spirit outpouring in the 1970s. The campus eventually offered a drug rehabilitation program, charismatic clinics, a preschool and daycare center, Melodyland High School, the Melodyland School of Theology and the Anaheim Christian College. Several churches were birthed out of the move of God at Melodyland. The church campus was replaced in 2003 by the Anaheim GardenWalk.
Author Dr. Mark Rutland tweeted, “Just got the sad call that Dr. Ralph Wilkerson has passed away. I will miss him so much, as will many. He led me into Spirit baptism in Dec. 1975, and he went to heaven, also in December, 43 years later. His impact on me was life-changing.”
David Hall tweeted about Wilkerson: “Heaven has gained another hero! Pastor Ralph Wilkerson. I went with Dad when he preached at Melodyland in Anaheim in 1995. He was so kind, he received an offering so we could go to Disneyland. Hero of the charismatic renewal in the 60s & 70s!”
On its YouTube channel, Encounter TV referred to Wilkerson as “a father in the faith” to many. In an interview, Wilkerson said, “The gifts of the Spirit are to be used every day, everyday consumption. We can do this if we’re full of the Holy Ghost.” Watch his full 2016 interview below.
