He has been known as the “Saint Francis of the Wilderness” and as “Brother Bob.” Robert Sayers Sheffey didn’t fit the mold of a polished preacher. He came from the backroads of Appalachia, rode the rugged circuits of Southwest Virginia, and preached as a Methodist itinerant preacher whose ministry was unconventional and unforgettable. Today, he remains one of the most legendary figures in the history of Holston Methodism.

He was known for his peculiar and odd behavior, and he became a part of the folklore of Appalachian Methodism. Sheffey was also known as a man of deep compassion, conviction, and a relentless commitment to prayer. As the stories suggest, his prayers carried an unusual weight. Whether confronting injustice, calling sinners to repentance, or simply kneeling in quiet conversation with God, Sheffey lived with a kind of holy urgency that’s hard to ignore.

Over time, stories about Sheffey grew into a blend of history, testimony, and Appalachian folklore, making it difficult at times to separate documented fact from legend. For many within Holston Methodism, the name Robert Sayers Sheffey still carries an almost mythical quality. His ministry helped shape the spiritual imagination of Appalachian Methodism in this region for generations.

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She was one of the most influential voices in 19th-century Methodism—so influential, in fact, that many have called her the “mother of the holiness movement.” Phoebe Palmer was a wife and mother, a writer and speaker, and a devoted follower of Christ. Through her Tuesday Meeting for the Promotion of Holiness in New York City, she inspired countless pastors, missionaries, and laypeople to pursue a deeper life of faith. Her books and sermons spread far beyond her own community, shaping Methodist theology and fueling revival across the United States and beyond.

Phoebe Palmer believed that holiness was not a distant goal reserved for a select few but a gift of grace available to every believer. Her passion for evangelism and her tireless advocacy for women in ministry challenged the church to expand its vision of who could proclaim the gospel.

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He was a powerful voice in the early days of American Methodism—so powerful, in fact, that Francis Asbury once referred to him as his “silver trumpet.” Nicholas Snethen was a farmer, an itinerant preacher, a gifted orator, and a devoted church leader. He served as chaplain to the United States House of Representatives, bringing the gospel into the heart of American government. And he played a pivotal role in the formation of the Methodist Protestant Church, advocating for greater lay representation and a more democratic structure within Methodism. From his days riding the circuit to his influence in shaping the future of the denomination, Snethen’s life was marked by conviction, courage, and a deep commitment to both preaching and reform.

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Long before modern medicine, Urgent Care, or WebMD, John Wesley published a manual on health and wellness called Primitive Physick, or an Easy and Natural Method of Curing Most Diseases. This practical guide was filled with advice on everything from colds and fevers to melancholy and asthma. John Wesley believed that physical health was as important as spiritual health and had a deep concern for the whole person – body, mind, and soul. Wesley also believed that healthcare should be accessible and affordable. And while some of the cures might cause us to laugh today, Wesley’s passion for healing was not a joke. He saw it as part of his mission to care for the physical as well as the spiritual needs of his community.

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The Soldier Preacher – Captain Thomas Webb was an unmistakable figure in Methodism. He preached in a scarlet and gold military uniform— with a green patch over his right eye and a sword brandished across the pulpit. Webb was a British Army officer turned Methodist lay preacher, who was known for his dynamic, energetic, bold, and enthusiastic personality. John Wesley once said of Webb, “The Captain is all life and fire.” Though he lacked formal ordination, Webb’s powerful testimony and commanding presence drew crowds in cities like Philadelphia and New York, where he helped establish some of the first Methodist societies on American soil. A soldier by training and an evangelist by calling, Captain Webb’s bold witness helped carry the Methodist message across the Atlantic and into the hearts of a growing nation.

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He has been called the “Maverick of Methodism” and “the First Apostle of American Methodism.” Robert Strawbridge was a Pioneer of American Methodism and the first Methodist Circuit Rider in the United States. Strawbridge immigrated from his home in Ireland and traveled to Maryland where he is credited for establishing the first Methodist Society in American history. He did this without an official appointment, without a formal ordination, and without waiting for permission. His passion and vigor helped lay the groundwork for what would become a nationwide movement. The contribution of Robert Strawbridge to the Methodist Movement cannot be denied, and his legacy is woven into the very foundation of American Methodism.

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He was called Methodism’s “Paul Revere”—a tireless messenger of the gospel, riding from town to town with the fire of revival in his heart. Freeborn Garrettson was one of the most influential and fearless voices in early American Methodism. A fiery circuit rider, a bold abolitionist, a strict pacifist, and a passionate evangelist, Garrettson gave up the comforts of a privileged life to follow a higher calling. Converted under the ministry of Robert Strawbridge, he traveled thousands of miles on horseback, preaching in homes, fields, and courthouses from New England to the Deep South. He was even imprisoned for preaching against slavery—but never wavered in his conviction that Christ’s message brings both spiritual and physical freedom. His life and ministry helped pave the way for the expansion of Methodism across a growing and divided nation.

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He has been regarded as the “Father of Western Methodism.” William McKendree was shaped by the fires of the American frontier revival. He answered the call to ministry as a circuit rider, proclaiming the gospel through rugged terrain and across remote settlements. He was the first American-born bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and his leadership helped solidify and expand the Methodist movement in a rapidly growing nation. From his early days as a Revolutionary War soldier to his later years as a respected bishop, McKendree’s life was marked by conviction, courage, and a profound commitment to spreading the love of Christ.

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He has been described as one of the saintliest men in the itinerancy of Methodism. Richard Whatcoat was a Band and Class Leader in the Early Methodist Movement. He traveled as a circuit riding preacher. He served as a missionary to America. And he ultimately served as the third Bishop of the American Methodist Episcopal Church. From his humble beginnings in England to his pioneering work in spreading Methodism across the American colonies, Whatcoat’s journey is one of faith, resilience, and unwavering dedication to his calling.

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What is Ash Wednesday? Why do we burn palm branches from Palm Sunday to make ashes? And then why do we put those ashes on our foreheads in the sign of the cross? On today’s episode of the Methodical Methodist Podcast, we are going to explore the history and tradition of Ash Wednesday – the day that marks the beginning of the season of Lent!

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