Faith 2015
This part of the site will launch in 2015 when the focus of the bicentenary will be 200 years of Faith.
In 1812 the early Methodists requested a missionary from England. This request was fulfilled three years later, and 2015 marks the 200th anniversary of the arrival in Sydney of the first Methodist Minister, the Rev Samuel Leigh. Faith is the foundation upon which Wesley Mission has been built but in this particular year we will focus on evangelism work throughout the years.
Highlights from the last 200 years
1889
Training people for Christian ministry started in 1864 with theological students at Newington College. The Central Methodist Mission played a more active role in ministry training with the opening of the Evangelist Institute in 1889.
1959
Easter Mission was launched, an event which now draws a national audience of millions via TV, radio and press. Twelve thousand people took part in the inaugural Easter Mission.
2000
Wesley Mission’s Reachout 2000 Olympic program was a series of activities organised around the Sydney Olympics. Events included worship services, music, exhibitions and testimonies from elite athletes and Olympians, including former Olympic track and field gold medallist Carl Lewis.
