About Our Church

We are a small, home town church and everyone is welcome to worship with us. We are strong in faith, pray for each other and reach out to help the community.

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Wesleyan History

The Wesleyan Church was founded in 1968 when the Wesleyan Methodist Church and the Pilgrim Holiness Church merged. The new denomination was shaped by the Wesleyan Methodists’ appreciation for structure combining with the Pilgrims’ entrepreneurial spirit.

The holy blaze in the hearts of Wesleyans caught fire in 18th century England with a Church of England priest, John Wesley, who called upon Christian believers to commit to a life of holiness and the study of God’s Word. Our name “Wesleyan” honors him.

Wesley was an outstanding Oxford scholar, yet regarded himself as “a man of one book,” the Bible. It was while studying the Bible that Wesley received assurance of his salvation through faith. It was the Bible that motivated his vision for offering Christ to the common people of England and which eventually led to the nation’s greatest spiritual revival.

Biblical truth inspired Wesley to develop a school for orphans, job programs and medical assistance for the poor, efforts to reform inhumane prisons and arguments for the abolition of slavery. Confidence in the Bible as “the only and sufficient rule for Christian faith and practice” (to use Wesley’s own words) remains a hallmark of The Wesleyan Church today.

It was in 1843 that our leaders organized to address social issues through The Wesleyan Methodist Connection of America. Wesleyans were one of the first denominations in America to ordain women and were at the forefront of giving laity significant roles in church leadership.

The movement spread like wildfire as passionate Wesleyans began to radically apply their faith to every area of their life and communities, leading to reformations in education, culture, and governments.

Wesleyan groups in both England and North America openly opposed slavery, called for women’s rights, and stood up against child labor atrocities.

This distinct call to holiness and witness bound Wesleyans together as a diverse family of multiple nationalities, races, languages, and cultures. Members of The Wesleyan Church continue to be catalysts for individual and social transformation.

Learn more about our history in the Wesleyan archives.

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Our Beliefs & Values

Wesleyans believe in one God, who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and the Savior of all who put their faith in him alone for eternal life.

We believe that those who are made new in Christ are called to be holy in character and conduct and can only live this way by being filled with the Lord’s Spirit.

We believe in the Bible and its sufficiency to establish our faith and conduct.

We believe God wills for people everywhere to know him and be made new in Christ.

We believe that the purpose of the Church is to worship God in spirit and in truth, and to reach a lost and fallen world with the gospel of Jesus Christ through its worship, witness and loving deed

These terms describe the “soul of the Church”:

Biblical authority, Christlikeness, Disciple Making, Local Church-Centered, Servant Leadership

“Let your words be the genuine picture of your heart “

– John Wesley

Who We Are

Our Leadership Team

Take a look into who the leaders are at Hancock Wesleyan Church.

Pastor Barry West

Pastor Barry has been involved with the Church for the last 13 years currently coordinating worship and preaching

Roger Vistain

Mr. Vistain is currently head trustee, is a pillar in the church, and is part of the Local Board of Administration

Ruth DeGroff

Mrs. DeGroff is the Director of Spiritual Formation and also on the Local Board of Administration

Hal Smith

Mr. Smith is one of the Trustees at Hancock Wesleyan Church and part of the Local Board of Administrators

Nancy Kemnetz

Mrs. Kemnetz is part of the Local Board of Administration and and integral part of Hancock Wesleyan Church

David Fowler

Mr. Fowler has been with Hancock Wesleyan Church for many years and is great part of the Local Board of Administration