David Worthington, our Director of Global Relationships, undertook a speaking engagement tour of Florida and Georgia last month (April) 2023 at which he spoke at various Methodist sites across the two states. His hosts described David’s presentation as ‘informative, inspirational and engaging’ and ‘one that should be heard by any Wesleyan’.

In total, he spoke to around 300 people across five locations and shared with his audiences the stories of John Wesley’s ministry in Bristol, which began in 1739, and how his work in the city impacted on the development of Methodism in America.

These stories included Wesley’s call at the 1771 Annual Conference, held at the New Room, for more preachers to go to America. Francis Asbury responded to that call and sailed from Pill (just outside Bristol) never to return to England. He also shared how the letter, known as the ‘Magna Carta’ of American Methodism, was written by Wesley at the New Room in September 1784 before it was taken to America by Thomas Coke. It was there that it was shared at the Christmas Conference, held in Baltimore in December 1784, which saw the historic founding of the newly independent Methodists within the United States.

David also got the opportunity to enjoy some American Methodist Heritage whilst in the US. He visited St. Simon’s Island where Charles Wesley was based as a chaplain for most of his time  in Georgia and he also visited Savannah where John Wesley served as the minister before he returned to England in 1737.

If you’re interested in hosting David on a subsequent US tour, please feel free to contact him direct at dworthington@newroombristol.org.uk