In The Wesleys’ Footsteps: Reflecting on Justice, Faith

Commentary

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Feb. 21, 2025 | SPRINGVILLE, Ill. (UM News)

Key points:

  • A group of United Methodists found themselves transformed by the Juan and Carlos Wesley Pilgrimage in the United Kingdom.
  • The group visited key sites in Bristol, Epworth, Oxford and London, gaining insights into how the Wesleys lived their faith and worked to transform their world.
  • Connecting with their Wesleyan roots, members of the group came away renewed in their commitment to embody love, grace and action, and to work for justice and faith.

 From Nov. 30 to Dec. 10, a group of Hispanic/Latino people representing different segments of The United Methodist Church in the United States participated in the Juan and Carlos Wesley Pilgrimage in the United Kingdom.

Sponsored by El Plan for Hispanic/Latine Ministry, Discipleship Ministries and the  Commission on Religion and Race of The United Methodist Church, this English-Spanish pilgrimage took us through the historical and spiritual landscapes of the Wesleyan movement, visiting sites in Bristol, Epworth, Oxford and London. These locations were not merely historical points of interest but living testimonies to the profound faith and mission of John and Charles Wesley, the founders of Methodism.

As we walked in their footsteps, we were transformed by the enduring relevance of their theology and practice, particularly their commitment to the marginalized, their work for justice, their gestures of compassion, and their emphasis on holiness of heart and life.

The pilgrimage was led by the Rev. Dr. Paul W. Chilcote, the Rev. Dr. Steven W. Manskar, the Rev. Dr. Edgardo Colon-Emeric, Dr. Pedro Zavala, the Rev. Dr. Lydia Muñoz, the Rev. Dr. Giovanni Arroyo and Ms. Erin Hawkins (Ph.D. candidate), whose insights and reflections enriched every aspect of our journey.

My contribution focused on writing the daily devotional and helping to plan the daily Eucharistic services, reminding us of the Table’s centrality in Wesleyan spirituality. For John Wesley, the Eucharist was a memorial and a means of grace, where God’s love is tangibly experienced and shared. Each time we gathered around the Table, we recalled the radical inclusivity of God’s kingdom, a vision that guided the Wesleys’ ministry and must guide ours today.

Our pilgrimage began in Bristol, a vital center in the Wesleyan story. At the New Room — the oldest Methodist building in the world — John Wesley established a center for preaching, teaching and caring for people experiencing poverty. The New Room’s simplicity stands in contrast to the grandeur of many ecclesiastical structures, showing us that the gospel thrives not in opulence but in humble service.

In Bristol, the Wesley brothers ministered to coal miners, prisoners and the disenfranchised. They preached the radical message of God’s love for all, challenging the rigid class structures of 18th-century England. Their ministry was marked by action: establishing schools for poor children, advocating for fair wages and providing medical care.

The Wesleys were also vocal opponents of the transatlantic slave trade, which thrived in cities like Bristol. John Wesley’s passionate denunciation of slavery in his writings, including his influential treatise Thoughts Upon Slavery, inspired many to join the abolitionist cause.

Standing in the New Room, we were reminded how faith can fuel the fight for justice and how our church today is called to confront systemic injustices with similar courage. Standing in the same pulpit where John Wesley once proclaimed the good news, we reflected on our church’s mission and how it aligns with this legacy of holistic ministry. Are we, too, embodying the gospel in ways that transform lives?

We then visited the rectory where John and Charles Wesley were born in Epworth. This quiet village was the seedbed of a spiritual movement spreading across continents. Walking through the rectory’s rooms and fields, we were reminded of the profound influence of their mother, Susanna Wesley. Her disciplined spiritual practices and steadfast faith shaped her sons’ theology and ministry.

We also visited St. Andrew’s Church in Epworth, where John and Charles Wesley were baptized under the ministry of their father, the Rev. Samuel Wesley. This sacred space carries the deep spiritual roots of the Wesleyan tradition. Standing outside the church where the Wesley brothers were baptized was a moving reminder of the power of covenant and community in shaping faith. Samuel Wesley’s grave lies within the churchyard, a testament to his steadfast commitment to the Church of England and his profound influence on his sons’ lives and ministries.

In Epworth, we also encountered the Wesleyan emphasis on prevenient grace — God’s love and mercy at work before we know it. John Wesley’s spiritual awakening at Aldersgate in London later testified to this grace, but its roots were planted in Epworth.

This visit challenged us to consider how our church nurtures the spiritual lives of our members, especially the youngest among us. How can we be a place where grace is experienced, celebrated and shared?

Our journey continued to Oxford, where the Wesley brothers studied and formed the Holy Club. This group of students committed themselves to prayer, fasting, Bible study and works of mercy. Despite being mocked by their peers for their methodical approach to faith, they accepted the name “methodists” as a mark of respect.

In Oxford, we reflected on the interplay between faith and intellect that characterized the Wesleyan tradition. The Wesleys’ commitment to rigorous study and disciplined practice reminds us that faith is not anti-intellectual but thrives in thoughtful engagement with Scripture and the world. Their practice of visiting prisoners and caring for the sick reminded us that our faith must never be confined to the walls of academia or the church but must be lived out in acts of love and justice.

Our pilgrimage concluded in London, where we visited St. Paul’s Cathedral, Wesley’s Chapel, and the Foundery — the hub of Methodism’s expansion.

The visit to St. Paul’s Cathedral added another profound dimension to our journey as we participated in the splendid Advent Evensong. Outside the cathedral stands a statue of John Wesley, commemorating his preaching ministry and his significant contributions to the Christian faith. This site symbolizes Wesley’s connection to the Anglican Church and the larger Christian tradition. It serves as a reminder of Wesley’s efforts to reform and revive the church and the nation, always grounded in a deep respect for its heritage. Standing before the statue, we reflected on how Wesley’s ministry bridged divides and renewed countless lives.

At Wesley’s Chapel, we celebrated Sunday service and fellowshipped with other worshippers. The chapel, with its rich history and vibrant community, served as a powerful reminder of the lasting impact of the Wesleys’ ministry. As we gathered in worship, we were inspired by the communal spirit that John Wesley fostered. His vision of a church that welcomed all people irrespective of social status, race or background was palpable in this place.

The Foundery, once a site for preaching, discipleship and the formation of new Methodist societies, symbolized the expansion of a movement rooted in radical love and inclusivity.

Here, we contemplated our roles in advancing a vision of justice and compassion in today’s world. Charles Wesley’s hymns, some of which we sang during our pilgrimage, gave voice to their theology, embedding doctrines of grace, salvation and sanctification in the hearts of ordinary people. We also recalled John Wesley’s last words on his deathbed: “The best of all is God is with us.” These words encapsulate the faith and assurance that carried him through his life.

One of our most moving moments was standing by John Wesley’s grave. His epitaph declares, “The world is my parish,” reflecting his vision of a boundless gospel. It tells us that geography, social class or culture do not limit our mission.

We also visited Methodist Central Hall Westminster, a significant site for Methodism worldwide. This grand building symbolizes Methodism’s global mission and commitment to social justice and ecumenism. Central Hall has hosted countless events promoting peace, dialogue and unity, including the first meeting of the United Nations General Assembly in 1946.

Standing in this historic space, we noted the global impact of the Wesleyan movement and its call to work tirelessly for a just and reconciled world. The movement’s commitment to the marginalized — the poor, the oppressed and the overlooked — is a call that resonates with our church’s statement: “Open hearts; Open minds; Open doors.”

During our time in London, we discussed how to carry forward the Wesleys’ spirit of activism and service into our current context. Their example challenges us to celebrate our faith and live it out through community engagement, social justice and advocacy for the marginalized.

In addition to the daily Eucharist and site visits, the pilgrimage included daily learning sessions, featuring rich conversations and interactions. Our leaders brought unique perspectives to the Wesleyan tradition. A central theme was exploring what it means to be called Metodista today. We reflected on the historical and theological commitment of the Wesleyan tradition to the well-being of everyone, emphasizing social justice, social holiness, spiritual growth and the biblical preference for the poor — a dialogue between Wesleyan theology and liberation theology.

The leaders challenged us to consider how we embody this heritage in our personal and communal lives so that we may mediate the transformation and renewal of the nations. How do we live out a faith that seeks not only individual salvation but also the transformation of society? How do we practice social holiness, where faith and justice intersect in acts of love and advocacy? 

These sessions enriched our understanding of the sites we visited, grounding historical narratives in theological insights and practical relevance for today. They inspired us to carry forward the Wesleyan vision of a world renewed by God’s grace, where the well-being and integrity of every person’s life reflect the heart of the gospel.

Our pilgrimage through these vital sites connected us closely with the Wesleyan tradition and its call to justice, faith and service. We returned home renewed in our commitment to embody the principles of love, grace and action that characterized John and Charles Wesley’s lives. The lessons learned during this journey will undoubtedly guide our ministry and personal lives as we strive to create a more just and inclusive world, just as the Wesleys did many years ago.

Reflecting on this transformative experience, we ask ourselves: How can we continue the work of justice and faith in our communities?

As we take the lessons learned from this pilgrimage, let us be inspired to walk in the Wesleys’ footsteps and uphold their legacy of compassion and action that disseminates human integrity and dignity in our world today.

The Rev. Dr. Tércio B. Junker is pastor of Poplar Grove (Illinois) United Methodist Church.