John Wesley

1703-1791 18th century

Faith that takes to the road toward those no one reaches.

Who was John Wesley?

An Anglican priest from Oxford, he knew an inner turning one evening in 1738 when he felt his 'heart strangely warmed.' For half a century he crossed England on horseback, preaching in the open air to the miners and workers the churches ignored, and giving rise to Methodism. Tireless and methodical, he held prayer and social action as one.

In their own words

I look upon all the world as my parish.

Journal, 11 June 1739

The best of all is, God is with us.

Reported last words

Give me one hundred preachers who fear nothing but sin and desire nothing but God, and they will shake the gates of hell.

Letter to Alexander Mather, 6 August 1777