What was a key leadership aspect of the First Great Awakening?

During the First Great Awakening, evangelistic preaching emerged as a pivotal leadership aspect that profoundly influenced religious fervor and revival in the American colonies. Jonathan Edwards, renowned for his powerful sermons, emphasized personal conversion, the need for repentance, and a direct emotional engagement with faith, which resonated deeply with congregations and communities. His famous sermon, "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God," exemplified the passion and urgency of this method of preaching, leading many to experience intense spiritual awakenings.

This focus on personal faith and a heartfelt connection to the divine distinguished the movement and fostered a new sense of community among believers. Edwards’ effectiveness as a preacher mobilized people and encouraged them to take a more active role in their faith, paving the way for subsequent religious movements and institutions.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately represent the key leadership characteristics of the First Great Awakening. The charismatic leadership of John Wesley, while influential, was not the hallmark of this specific revival movement in the American context. Propaganda by the Catholic Church and papal endorsement of reform were irrelevant to the dynamics of the First Great Awakening, which primarily arose within Protestant circles seeking revival and renewal rather than being driven by Catholic Church initiatives.