Over 70 million people are part of the worldwide Methodist Church. It is the fourth largest Christian Church in Britain today with over 6000 churches, 330,000 members and over a million people connected with it’s work.

The Methodist Church shares with all Christian Churches the belief that God is the creator and sustainer of all life and that the death on a cross of God’s Son Jesus Christ was an act of total love which through the resurrection offers a new start beyond our wildest dreams. We share this belief because of the presence of God the Holy Spirit, who continues to move and inspire us today.

The Methodist Church grew out of a revival movement within the Church of England in the 18th Century led by the talented preacher and organiser John Wesley (1703-1791). He encouraged social action as well as prayer and bible study. The name ‘Methodist’ was originally a nickname given to JW and his friends as they were so ‘methodical’ in their spirituality. The early Methodists visited the imprisoned, championed the abolition of slavery and offered free education and medicine to the poor. That social concern continues today in many areas of Britain and abroad.

‘We believe that no-one is beyond the love of God and it is that belief which drives us to offer a welcome to all, whatever their circumstances. The stresses of modern life leave many of us feeling isolated and overloaded. The Church can be a place of healing and peace. It is also a place in which God’s love challenges all of us to change, and part of our work in the church is to support one another as we discover together what faith in God means for our life’ – Rev Richard Hall - Superintendent Minister Swansea and Gower Circuit.