John Wesley
John Wesley was an evangelist and preacher living during the 16th century(1703-1791). Born to Samuel and Susanna, John was raised with excellent care. Susanna Wesley interviewed her children individually once per week, for the purpose of spiritual instruction. He was ordained a deacon at 22 years of age, and later began teaching at Lincoln Collage, Oxford. Wesley joined “Holy Club”, a club started by Wesley’s brother Charles, devoted to pursuing a committed christian life. The group met daily, and engaged in fasting, prayer and frequent ministry.
After returning from a missionary journey to America, the parish churches were closed to him. At his friend George Whitefield’s encouragement, he began preaching in the open air. Wesley traveled across Great Britain and Ireland, preaching and organizing small christian groups that cultivated accountability and discipleship. He also appointed unordained evangelists to care for these groups of people. Eventually,
On March 2nd, 1791, as he lay dying, his friends gathered around as he bid them farewell. Before he died, he raised up his arms and uttered: “The best of all, God is with us”. He died a poor man on this earth, but having trusted in Jesus’ words, he invested wisely, and stored up his treasures in heaven.
Quotes by John Wesley
Give me one hundred preachers who fear nothing but sin and desire nothing but God, and I care not a straw whether they be clergymen or laymen, such alone will shake the gates of hell and set up the kingdom of God upon earth.
– John Wesley
