Niilo Antti Johannes Yli-Vainio (February 23, 1920 in Alahärmä - November 16, 1981 in Spain) was a Finnish Christian Charismatic leader.

He started preaching after having recovered from a heart condition during the 1950s and rose to fame during the late 1970s. Several alleged healing miracles and other spiritual experiences took place at his revival meetings. As a result, thousands of Finns converted to Pentecostalism.Yle.fi: Yli-Vainio kaatoi ja paransi

Yli-Vainio started work as a pharmacist's assistant. When World War II started, he worked in a cartridge factory. It was there that he met Linnea whom he married in 1940. He then worked as an army medic.Träff, Tytti: Life wins: Niilo Yli-Vainio's story. Tikkurila: Victory of the Cross, 1978. ISBN 951-605-503-6 He became a Christian after WWII and started preaching in the Pentecostal denomination.History of the Swedish Pentecostal Revival, p. 124, 128, 187, 225, 283, 302-303, 309, 339, 362, 372

In 1976, after several illnesses, he traveled to Australia and experienced a ‘new anointing’. He returned to Finland and started holding large Christian meetings where he spoke of the message of God's love, forgiveness and the life-changing effect of personal faith. Healings and other spiritual manifestations were reported.Kojo, Pauli: What Where When 1979, p. 97. Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava, 1978. ISBN 951-1-04873-2

Under the influence of Yli-Vainio's meetings, many people professed a new faith in Christ, and several celebrities spoke about their conversion to faith. Many of the converts joined Pentecostal churches, but some also remained members of the majority Lutheran Church.Murtorinne, Eino (chief editor): History of Christianity 2000, p. 242. 3rd volume. Porvoo: Weilin+Göös, 2000. ISBN 951-35-6516-5

He wrote over 16 books including How could I be saved? and You can be filled with the Holy Spirit.

In 1981, a film was made focussing on the last few years of his life. The film was named White Butterfly (Valkoinen Yoperhonen) and included an interview with his daughter Aino.Ristinvoitto website

See also The Pentecostal Church of Finland

References

Further reading

External links Benjamin Ranta: Article "Stepping Stones - God's Warrior Niilo Yli-Vainio, The Great Finnish Revivalist. Published 4.3.2009, pages B 21–22, 34–35. ISSUU Strange Fire - The Voice Christian Magazine Volume V Issue 3.