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The Free Methodist Church

First, a short history lesson: Free Methodism was founded back in 1860 under an apple tree in Pekin, New York, by a group of pastors of what was then the Methodist Episcopal Church. That church would later merge with other Methodist denominations to form the United Methodist Church. But back in 1860, there was concern on the part of some that the ME Church had drifted from its Biblical and Wesleyan roots (John Wesley was the founder of Methodism back in the 1720s). The church had become a place where–if you wanted a good seat–you actually had to pay to rent a pew! The church had also become very legalistic and ritualistic, stifling the free expression of worship. Then there was the issue of slavery. The ME Church allowed its members to own slaves.  So, a group of pastors, led by B.T. Roberts, attempted to change the ME Church from the inside out, trying to right the wrongs and return the church back to a more Biblical and compassionate stance. As a result, they were excommunicated from the church! So, these men and several other like-minded individuals met in Pekin, New York under that apple tree and formed the Free Methodist Church on August 23, 1860–dedicated to free pews, free worship, free men and women, and a freedom to live holy lives in obedience to the Bible.

Today, the Free Methodist Church has grown to almost 1 million members in virtually every country around the globe. Our mission is simple: to love God, love people, and make disciples. We are a missions-minded people, as evidenced by the fact that there are more Free Methodists in overseas countries than in the USA–thanks largely to the efforts of dedicated missionaries that spread the message of the Gospel. We are a compassionate people, getting involved in major humanitarian efforts to free slaves, sponsor hungry and orphaned children, provide for the sick, and feed and clothe those in poverty, as well as bring the message of hope and salvation through Jesus to all!

And in this current day and age of uncertainty, we stand rock-solid on the truths of the Bible. We are an evangelical denomination, holiness-minded and looking forward to Heaven while we work to bring the Gospel to the world.  We invite you to join with us and see what God is doing through the Free Methodist Church!

If you would like more information on the ministries, history, and doctrine of the Free Methodist Church, please visit www.fmcusa.org.