Mother Courage - Susanna Wesley

1669–1742

The Methodist revolution of the 1700s forever changed the landscape of Western Christianity. At its helm were two brothers, John and Charles Wesley. Both became popular preachers, though John was better known. Both wrote hymns, though Charles was far more prolific. They dared to preach to the common folk, the laborers and miners, even if that meant challenging the usual practices of the Church of England.

These brothers owed a great deal to their mother, Susanna Wesley, and they knew it. She had taught them as children—including the biblical languages. She also set an example of courageous ministry in their community, even if she ruffled some feathers. And as these two sons developed their own ministries, she cheered them on, offering encouragement, guidance, and support.

As students at Oxford, John and Charles wanted to get serious about their faith, so they joined with like-minded friends for prayer, Bible study, and accountability—and received some mockery from other students. Susanna offered encouragement: “I heartily join with your small Society in all their pious and charitable actions which are intended for God’s glory. . . . May you still, in such good works, go on and prosper.”

When John and Charles set out as missionaries to the American colony of Georgia, they asked Susanna for her blessing. Transatlantic travel was quite dangerous, and the new colony was still very wild. What’s more, Susanna had lost her husband earlier that year. Could she bear to lose these two sons? Yet she responded that she’d be happy to send twenty sons into mission work, even if that meant she’d never see them again.

On one occasion, John returned from a trip and complained that an unordained layman had been preaching in his place. “Take care what you do with respect to that young man,” Susanna counseled, “for he is as surely called of God to preach as you are.” Perhaps she was remembering times that she had led services in her husband’s absence. In any case, that set a new tone for the Methodist movement, in which lay preaching has been a valuable component ever since.

How can you foster courage in young people finding their ministry? That might just be a gift that changes history.

Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her: “There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!”

Proverbs 31:28-29