Our Story
Educating, Empowering, and Equipping for Evangelism in the Wesleyan-tradition since 1949
A Lay-led Movement that shaped
Wesleyan-tradition Evangelism
The Foundation for Evangelism was born from a conviction as ancient as the Church itself: the gospel of Jesus Christ is good news meant to be shared. From the Great Commission to the ministry of John Wesley and the early Methodist movement, Christians have been called in every generation to bear witness in word, deed, and holy love so that people may come to know the transforming grace of God.
In 1949, a group of Methodist lay and clergy leaders incorporated The Foundation for Evangelism to strengthen and resource evangelism ministries in The Methodist Church. Among those early leaders was Dr. Harry Denman, a Methodist lay evangelist whose life embodied the belief that evangelism is not the work of specialists alone, but the calling of the whole people of God. Denman served as General Secretary of the General Board of Evangelism, and his passion for personal witness, prayer, justice, and disciplined Christian living helped shape the spirit of the Foundation from its beginning.
The Foundation’s first officers included Sollie McCreless, Thomas Spradling, Claude Holmes, and D. E. Jackson, with leaders such as Bishop Ralph S. Cushman and Bishop Paul B. Kern also helping guide the early work. Together, they sought to “disburse the blessings of the Gospel of Jesus Christ” by providing resources that would help the Church recover and renew its evangelistic mission. That work continued through the invaluable contributions of people like Bob Miller, Paul Ervin, Royce and Jane Reynolds, Mary Brooke Casad, Gay Nell Heck, and Bishops Richard Looney, Earl Hunt and Darryl Starnes among many others.
Across the decades, that founding vision has taken many forms: support for evangelism ministries, recognition of faithful witnesses, investment in theological education, and grants that equip churches and leaders for gospel-centered witness. Today, The Foundation for Evangelism continues this legacy by fueling evangelistic renewal across the Wesleyan movement. The methods continue to adapt, but the calling remains the same: to help the Church share the good news of Jesus Christ faithfully, courageously, and fruitfully in each generation.
Important Dates in the Foundation's History
Chartered
Incorporated on Jan. 31, 1949 by lay and clergy group to support evangelism ministries of The Methodist Church. The Foundation for Evangelism was established to "disburse the blessings of the Gospel of Jesus Christ."
"Chairs of Evangelism" Idea is Born
In 1954 Mr. Sollie McCreless, president of the Foundation, promised a gift to establish "Chairs of Evangelism" at Asbury Seminary and Perkins School of Theology at SMU. Plans to fill those chairs were realized around 1956.
Denman Evangelism Awards Established
The Harry Denman Evangelism Awards were established to honor one lay and clergy person (and later youth) with an exceptional ministry of evangelism in each United Methodist Annual Conference. The awards are still given today.
E. Stanley Jones Professors of Evangelism Established
The first E. Stanley Jones Professor of Evangelism (named for the 19th century influential Methodist evangelist & missionary) is established at Boston University School of Theology.
Offices Moved to Lake Junaluska
With consideration to rising real estate prices in Nashville, Tenn., and proximity to the United Methodist Church's Southeastern Jurisdicational offices, the Foundation's headquarters were moved to Lake Junaluska, N.C.
Evangelism Course Required for UM Clergy
The Foundation for Evangelism helps to pass requirement at United Methodist General Conference that all clergy receive a course in evangelism.
Technology Initiative
A technology initiative is begun which ultimately leads to software and training for hundreds of churches to begin ministry online.
E. Stanley Jones Professors Endowment
The E. Stanley Jones Professors of Evangelism endowment is established after decades of of planning and fundraising. At its peak, professors of evangelism were funded at 13 Methodist-related seminaries and schools of theology.
Focus on Ministry with Young People
Multiple grants, partnerships, and collaborations on ministry with young people are engaged, including YouthWorker Movement, Refresh Campus Ministry Summit, and Campus Ministry Grants.
Expanding to the Wesleyan Family
The Foundation expands to working with multiple Wesleyan-tradition denominations.
First Equipping the Local Church Grants Awarded
The first Equipping the Local Church grant cycle begins - awarding 31 small to medium churches with a grant to launch an experiment or initiative to share the Gospel, tell their faith stories, and invite others into a relationship with Jesus alongside a local faith community.
Happy 75th! And on to 100!
The Foundation celebrates 75 years of equipping disciples to share the Good News of Jesus Christ - but we're not stopping long to celebrate! There is so much more planned as we begin the next 25 years toward 100!
Thriving Congregations Local Church Cohorts Launched
Realizing many churches need help getting started with evangelism, we partnered with Lilly Endowment Inc. to launch a training program for churches to learn about Wesleyan evangelism and support them as they listen to their communities and imagine an evangelism initiative to begin through their church.
Laity Evangelism Awards Introduced
The Foundation for Evangelism Laity Award was introduced in 2025 in an effort to more fully focus on lay evangelism, and expand the recognition of lay evangelists to the larger Wesleyan tradition. The Laity Evangelism Award is presented jointly by denominational regional bodies and the Foundation.