Methodist Co-Founders:
Charles and John Wesley John Wesley (June 28, 1703 - February 24, 1791) and his brother Charles were born into a strong Anglican home. His father, Samuel, was a priest, and his mother, Susanna, was a religion teacher who faithfully taught the Bible to her 19 children.
While studying at Oxford University in England, John, Charles, and several other students formed a Christian group devoted to Bible study, prayer, and helping the underprivileged. They were labeled "Methodists" as a term of criticism from fellow students because of the orderly way they used rules and methods to go about their religious affairs.
But the group happily embraced the name as a badge of honor. The beginning of Methodism as a popular revival movement began in 1738. After returning to England from America, Wesley was bitter, disillusioned and spiritually low. He shared his inner struggles with a Moravian, Peter Boehler, who greatly influenced John and his brother Charles to undertake evangelistic preaching with an emphasis on conversion and holiness.
Although both Wesley brothers were ordained ministers of the Church of England, they were barred from speaking in most of its pulpits because of their evangelistic methods. They preached in homes, farmhouses, barns, open fields, and wherever they found an audience.
The Influence of George Whitefield on Methodism ---||
Around this time, Wesley was invited to join the evangelism ministry of George Whitefield (1714-1770), a fellow preacher and minister in the Church of England.Whitefield, also one of the initial leaders of the Methodist movement, is believed by some to have had more of an influence on the founding of Methodism than John Wesley.
Whitefield, famous for his part in the Great Awakening movement in America, also preached outdoors, something unheard of at the time. But as a follower of John Calvin, Whitefield parted ways with Wesley over the doctrine of predestination.
Methodism in America ------||
The Methodist Church prospered on its own for the next 29 years, as did the newly reunited Evangelical United Brethren Church. In 1968, bishops of the two churches took the necessary steps to combine their churches into what has become the second largest Protestant denomination in America, The United Methodist Church. Today, the total number of Methodists in the world is estimated to be more than 75 million. Sources • "John Wesley." Who’s Who in Christian history (p. 710)
Charles and John Wesley John Wesley (June 28, 1703 - February 24, 1791) and his brother Charles were born into a strong Anglican home. His father, Samuel, was a priest, and his mother, Susanna, was a religion teacher who faithfully taught the Bible to her 19 children.
While studying at Oxford University in England, John, Charles, and several other students formed a Christian group devoted to Bible study, prayer, and helping the underprivileged. They were labeled "Methodists" as a term of criticism from fellow students because of the orderly way they used rules and methods to go about their religious affairs.
But the group happily embraced the name as a badge of honor. The beginning of Methodism as a popular revival movement began in 1738. After returning to England from America, Wesley was bitter, disillusioned and spiritually low. He shared his inner struggles with a Moravian, Peter Boehler, who greatly influenced John and his brother Charles to undertake evangelistic preaching with an emphasis on conversion and holiness.
Although both Wesley brothers were ordained ministers of the Church of England, they were barred from speaking in most of its pulpits because of their evangelistic methods. They preached in homes, farmhouses, barns, open fields, and wherever they found an audience.
The Influence of George Whitefield on Methodism ---||
Around this time, Wesley was invited to join the evangelism ministry of George Whitefield (1714-1770), a fellow preacher and minister in the Church of England.Whitefield, also one of the initial leaders of the Methodist movement, is believed by some to have had more of an influence on the founding of Methodism than John Wesley.
Whitefield, famous for his part in the Great Awakening movement in America, also preached outdoors, something unheard of at the time. But as a follower of John Calvin, Whitefield parted ways with Wesley over the doctrine of predestination.
Methodism in America ------||
The Methodist Church prospered on its own for the next 29 years, as did the newly reunited Evangelical United Brethren Church. In 1968, bishops of the two churches took the necessary steps to combine their churches into what has become the second largest Protestant denomination in America, The United Methodist Church. Today, the total number of Methodists in the world is estimated to be more than 75 million. Sources • "John Wesley." Who’s Who in Christian history (p. 710)
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