John G. Lake - Later Life and Religious Work

Later Life and Religious Work

With Thomas Hezmalhalch he founded the Apostolic Faith Mission of South Africa in 1908, which attracted many of the early Zionists led by Pieter L. le Roux of Wakkerstroom. Le Roux took over the leadership of the Apostolic Faith Mission when Lake returned to America, and Le Roux led it for 30 years.

Just six months after Lake's arrival in South Africa, his first wife, Jennie, died on December 22, 1908. "Lake recorded that she died of a stroke." Lake returned to America on February 1, 1913, and married Florence Switzer on November 27, 1913. Lake's comment on this second marriage was, "Men in these days consider themselves to be happily married once. I have been especially blessed in that I have been happily married twice." From this marriage five children were born.

Lake eventually became an elder in the church. It was here that he began to practice "divine healing". From 1915 to 1920, Lake ran "Healing Rooms," a healing center in Spokane, Washington. In 1920, he moved to Portland, Oregon, for a similar ministry that lasted for a few years. He later on returned to Spokane and practiced his healing ministry until his death. In 1935, Lake suffered a serious stroke and died a fortnight later, on September 16, 1935, at age 65.