Videos and Podcasts

Bishop Mannoia tackles the most misunderstood aspect of Free Methodist identity: what holiness actually means. This isn’t about rules, regulations, or achieving spiritual perfection through behavior. Holiness describes God’s very nature – and we participate in it through complete surrender to God’s influence.
The episode explains why 40 scholar-leaders concluded that holiness is simply “Christlikeness” – reflecting Jesus’ complete surrender to God’s will and perfect reflection of God’s nature. Kevin shows how this personal transformation naturally overflows into social engagement with issues of justice, dignity, and cultural transformation.
He traces how early Free Methodist founders like Benjamin and Ellen Roberts connected personal holiness with abolition, women’s rights, and economic justice. The episode honestly addresses how 20th-century Free Methodists got distracted by rules and became quiet during the Civil Rights era, but are now rediscovering their prophetic voice.
Note: This content is part of Bishop Mannoia’s forthcoming book “Living Our Name: Free Methodist Identity.”
Whether you’ve been confused by holiness language or wondering why Free Methodists connect personal faith with social action, this episode clarifies the theological foundation that drives both individual transformation and community engagement.
Resources:
FMCSC Website: https://fmcsc.org/
Ministry Training: https://fmcsc.org/training/
Identity Series Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL28rnyZQWTXk_tn2mlevUIdkU_OZUA0Ir

If you’re new to Free Methodist leadership or wondering what makes our denomination different, this episode connects denominational identity to something we all understand: family names.
Dr. Mannoia shares how he used to ask his kids “What’s your last name?” before school drop-offs, then shows how this applies to ministry. When you face criticism, opposition, or feel lost in your calling, it’s not your skills that keep you grounded – it’s knowing who you are as a Free Methodist.
This isn’t about being better than other denominations. It’s about understanding the unique story, values, and perspective you’ve inherited. Whether you’re a pastor, lay leader, or just curious about Free Methodist identity, this episode helps you see why your denominational “last name” matters for real ministry work.
Dr. Mannoia gets honest about his own difficult ministry moments and how Free Methodist identity provided stability when talent and expertise weren’t enough. If you’re building confidence for ministry or laying groundwork for future church development, this family story foundation is where it starts.
Resources:
FMCSC Website: https://fmcsc.org/
Ministry Training: https://fmcsc.org/training/
Identity Series Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL28rnyZQWTXk_tn2mlevUIdkU_OZUA0Ir

How did the Free Methodist Church really come to be? The story goes much deeper than a simple church split. Bishop Kevin Mannoia traces the real forces that shaped our founding – from the “burned over district” of western New York to the personal convictions of Benjamin Titus Roberts and Ellen Stowe.
Understanding this history reveals our DNA as ministry leaders. The early Free Methodists weren’t just reacting to problems – they were driven by their understanding of full salvation to address slavery, women’s suffrage, free pews, and spiritual authenticity. Their theology demanded both personal holiness and social transformation.
Kevin honestly addresses how the denomination sometimes fell short of its founders’ vision, particularly with women’s ordination and the Free Methodist Pentecost bands. Yet our core identity survived. This episode reveals three key characteristics that still define Free Methodist ministry: being more centered than bounded, more descriptive than prescriptive, and more relational than propositional.
Assignment: Find someone in your area who knows Free Methodist history and ask them to share regional stories. Also, explore the recommended books to understand our family story more deeply.
Note: This content is part of the forthcoming book “Living Our Name: Free Methodist Identity” – stay tuned for publication details.
Links:
FMCSC Website: https://fmcsc.org/
Ministry Training: https://fmcsc.org/training/
Identity Series Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL28rnyZQWTXk_tn2mlevUIdkU_OZUA0Ir

Kevin explores more Wesleyan theological distinctives that shape Free Methodist ministry. This episode covers three key concepts: the holistic nature of people (created as integrated spiritual, emotional, social, intellectual, and physical beings), Wesley’s “via media” or middle way approach to finding unity amid differences, and the emphasis on transformation over mere evangelization.
The episode explains why Free Methodists seek wholeness for people rather than just spiritual conversion, and how Wesley’s approach helps bridge denominational differences while maintaining core convictions. Bishop Mannoia shares Wesley’s famous “Catholic Spirit” sermon and the “House of God” metaphor – one house of love with many rooms decorated differently according to various families.
He demonstrates how Wesleyan transformation requires engaging people intellectually, affectively, and behaviorally – which is why Wesley created the famous hinged pews that allowed people to face each other during services. This practical approach to complete life transformation distinguishes Wesleyan methodology from other theological streams.
Note: This content is part of Bishop Mannoia’s forthcoming book “Living Our Name: Free Methodist Identity.”
Resources:
FMCSC Website: https://fmcsc.org/
Ministry Training: https://fmcsc.org/training/
Identity Series Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL28rnyZQWTXk_tn2mlevUIdkU_OZUA0Ir

The Free Methodist Church in Southern California proudly introduces our incoming Elders for 2025. These nine leaders have completed their journey toward ordination and represent diverse ministry contexts across our conference. Each brings unique gifts and perspectives while sharing a commitment to our core values of life-giving holiness, love-driven justice, and Christ-compelled multiplication.

This video introduces:
• Liz Cornell – Commission Church, Rancho Cucamonga
• Brian Scott – Foothill Community Church, Azusa
• Eleitino Tuiasosopo – Chapel of Change, Paramount
• Andrea Vaudrey – Commission Church, Rancho Cucamonga
• Reginald Wadlington – Centerpoint Church, Murrieta
• Jaime Winslow – Foothill Community Church, Azusa
• Meg Wolfgram – Santa Barbara Free Methodist Church, Santa Barbara
• Jessica Zittel – The Lamb’s Fellowship, Lake Elsinore
• Paul Zittel – The Lamb’s Fellowship, Lake Elsinore

Please join us in celebrating these leaders as they prepare for ordination at our Annual Conference.

FMCSC Annual Conference 2025: “Generation to Generation: His Power, His Glory, Our Future” May 16-17, 2025 at CenterPoint Church, Murrieta

Learn more and register: https://ac25.fmcsc.org

Follow us: @the_fmcsc
#FMCSCAC2025 #FreeMethodistChurch #SouthernCalifornia #Ordination #Elders

Join us in welcoming the Free Methodist Church in Southern California’s 2025 Conference Ministerial Candidates (CMCs). These emerging leaders represent the future of our denomination and embody our commitment to bringing wholeness to the world through healthy biblical communities.
This video introduces:

• Daniel Garzaro González – Avenue Church, Riverside
• Caitlin Jordan – Lamb’s Fellowship, Lake Elsinore
• Mia Shin – Formation Church, San Luis Obispo
• Christopher Spolar – Expressions Church, Pasadena
• Moriah Summers – Avenue Church, Riverside

We invite you to pray for these candidates as they complete their ordination journey.

FMCSC Annual Conference 2025: “Generation to Generation: His Power, His Glory, Our Future” May 16-17, 2025 at CenterPoint Church, Murrieta

Learn more and register: https://ac25.fmcsc.org

Follow us: @the_fmcsc
#FMCSCAC2025 #FreeMethodistChurch #SouthernCalifornia #MinisterialCandidates

Bishop E. Kenneth Martin delivers a prophetic challenge to the Free Methodist Church, confronting deep-rooted issues of spiritual bondage, systemic oppression, and the church’s complacency. “Churches are dying in a cage,” he declares, calling for a radical shift in how the church addresses:

– Spiritual chains of sin and oppression
– Historical and ongoing impacts of slavery
– Diversity, equity, and inclusion challenges
– The church’s reluctance to engage difficult conversations
– Breaking free from “nasty” church politics and self-serving leadership

“This is a season of manifestation,” Martin says, urging a breakthrough from 2025 to 2035 that will transform the church locally and globally.

#ChurchTransformation #SpiritualFreedom #RacialReconciliation #ChurchReform #HolySpirit

Join us this March for Conexión Latina 2025, a transformative gathering on the West Coast celebrating and equipping Latino/a leaders in ministry. Fraser Venter shares how you can support this vital initiative that strengthens our multicultural Free Methodist family.

This event provides:
– Complete on-ground support for participating leaders
– Valuable community building and leadership development
– Essential ministry equipping and spiritual refreshment
– Opportunities to partner with Latino/a leaders across the country

Want to sponsor a leader or learn more? Contact Fraser Venter directly through the information below to help build God’s kingdom through multicultural ministry.

#FreeMethodistChurch #LatinoMinistry #ChurchLeadership #MinistryDevelopment #MulticulturalChurch

Pastor Christopher Spolar shares his gratitude for the overwhelming support from our Free Methodist family following the recent fires. Standing in front of their temporary new church home, he reflects on the power of community and the hope we find in supporting one another.

Thank you to everyone who has supported Expressions Church through prayer, encouragement, and practical assistance. Together, we continue sharing hope with our community.

For updates and ways to help: fmcsc.org/fire