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Three days later, she reappeared in Douglas, Arizona, claiming she had been kidnapped, held captive in a cabin until she finally was able to escape. The crowds that had mourned her loss prepared a lavish welcome.

Some law enforcement officials challenged her kidnapping story, but the Los Angeles district attorney acknowledged that he had no case against McPherson. When the scandal died down, Aimee began a national evangelistic tour. Her support base remained strong, but press coverage was more skeptical.

Her ministry continued. During the Depression, the Angelus Temple provided food, clothing, and other necessities to needy families. In the 1940s, Sister began barnstorming again, and in September 1944, she addressed 10,000 people in the Oakland Auditorium. She died the next day of kidney failure and the effects of mixed prescription drugs she had been taking.

The denomination she founded, the International Church of the Four-square Gospel, now numbers some 2 million members in nearly 30,000 churches worldwide.

Adapted from the book, 131 Christians Everyone Should Know, by the editors of Christian History magazine. Available at the Christian History store.

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