John Wesley was born as the fifteenth child of Samuel and Susanna Wesley. His father was rector of Epworth.

Rescued from the burning rectory, calling himself a brand plucked from the burning. This shaped his sense of divine purpose.

Entered Christ Church, Oxford as a student. Studied classics, logic, and began serious religious reflection.

Ordained as a deacon in the Church of England. Became fellow of Lincoln College the following year.

Ordained as a priest. Began assisting his father at Epworth and Wroot parishes.

Joined his brother Charles's Holy Club at Oxford. Members were mockingly called Methodists for their methodical devotion.

Sailed to Georgia colony as a missionary. His rigid methods alienated colonists and the mission failed.

Returned from Georgia in despair. Met Moravian leader Peter Bohler who challenged his understanding of faith.

At a Moravian meeting on May 24th, felt his heart strangely warmed. This conversion experience transformed his ministry.

Began open-air preaching after being excluded from churches. Thousands gathered to hear him preach outdoors.

Established the New Room in Bristol, the first Methodist meeting house. The movement began to organize.

Convened the first annual Methodist Conference with clergy and lay preachers. Established organizational structure.

Married widow Mary Vazeille. The marriage was unhappy; she eventually left him, unable to accept his constant traveling.

Methodist societies spread across Britain. Wesley traveled constantly, preaching up to 40,000 sermons in his lifetime.

Sent Francis Asbury and other preachers to America. Methodism would become major force in American religion.

Ordained ministers for American Methodists, effectively creating a separate denomination. A controversial decision.

Died peacefully on March 2nd. His last words were reportedly The best of all is, God is with us.

Methodism spread globally, becoming one of the largest Protestant denominations with millions of members worldwide.