Charles Fox Parham was an American preacher and evangelist, best known for his role in the early Pentecostal movement. Born in 1873, he founded the Bethel Bible School in Topeka, Kansas, where he taught that speaking in tongues was a sign of receiving the Holy Spirit. His teachings significantly influenced the development of Pentecostalism. In 1901, Parham's students experienced a notable event when they began speaking in tongues, which he viewed as a fulfillment of biblical prophecy. This event is often considered the beginning of the modern Pentecostal movement. Parham's emphasis on spiritual experiences and divine healing attracted many followers and shaped the future of Christianity in America.