Field Preachers Episode 31 - Panel Discussion with Philadelphia Pastors

In this special episode of Field Preachers, we sit down with a panel of United Methodist pastors leading historic African American churches in Philadelphia to hear more about the history of their congregation and the ongoing struggles they face with racism in our nation. In light of recent events in the news, our voices advocating for equality and racial reconciliation are perhaps more important now than ever. In March of 1739, John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, engaged in "field preaching" for the first time after being encouraged by his friend and fellow preacher George Whitefield. Instead of preaching his sermon from a pulpit, Wesley went out from the church and preached in the open air to those who didn't have the time or money to sit in a pew and hear the good news. Thousands of people, mainly those struggling with poverty, came to hear him preach that first week and the revival of Methodism was born as the good news became real in the hearts of those who heard about God's love and grace. Church planters are modern day "field preachers" who go out from the established church into the community where they proclaim good news to those who need it most. This podcast is a series of interviews and stories from modern-day Methodist field preachers who will make you laugh, cry, and think more deeply about how and where we are called to share God's love and grace.