I’ve just this moment finished writing the last of 14 one minute radio talks entitled “Heroes of Faith” which I will be recording for United Christian Broadcasters in June. I have chosen men and women from the Bible, church history and people of faith right up to the present day. It’s quite a challenge to sum up a person’s life and say something that will inspire the listeners in just one minute - but I got there in the end!

Those of you who know me have probably already guessed that my first Hero of Faith was John Wesley. I had to study Wesley in great depth for my Master’s Degree and have been an admirer of him ever since. There are a number of reasons why I have such a great respect for him and I have listed them below in a “Methodical” way so that you can pick up each point easily and hopefully be as inspired by his example as I have been. So let’s allow the facts speak for themselves:

• John Wesley was a highly educated man but he was able to speak clearly and simply in a way that everyone could understand.

• Wesley was a humble and gracious man and although he could mix at the same level with nobles in high society – he was equally comfortable in relating with poor people - and children loved him.

• He was often attacked in the early days of his ministry with people throwing things at him and threatening him while he preached, but he continued without fear.

• John was extremely hard working. He was up early in the morning to pray and often was preaching to great crowds at 5am (how times have changed)! He travelled each year for 50 years around Britain and Ireland preaching the gospel until he was 86 years old.

• Wesley never stopped studying. All through his life he was reading widely and summarising books for the education of his students.

• Wesley multiplied his ministry by releasing others to be preachers, evangelists, pastors and small group leaders. When he died there were 541 licenced preachers under his leadership.

• John Wesley could have been a very rich man. His publications produced over £20,000 which in today’s money would be 1.2 million pounds or 1,500,000 euros but he used it for the ministry while living on a very modest income himself - and he could account for the last penny!

• Wesley’s great theme was holiness and he had a goal “To reform the nation and spread scriptural holiness throughout the land.”

• Wesley led by example and by love.

• Many people came to Christ directly through his preaching and indirectly millions have been influenced by his example and his legacy to the present day.