How did the Free Methodist Church really come to be? Bishop Kevin Mannoia starts by challenging how we think about salvation itself – because understanding salvation shaped everything about our church’s founding.
Rather than seeing salvation as just “getting a ticket to heaven,” Kevin presents the Free Methodist understanding of salvation as the restoration of God’s image in us. This isn’t just theology for emerging ministry leaders – it’s the foundation that drove our founders to care about both personal transformation and social justice.
This relational view of salvation includes prevenient grace, repentance, justification, adoption, regeneration, and sanctification all working together. When you understand salvation this way, you can’t separate personal holiness from caring about systemic issues. The early Free Methodists invested in society because they believed the kingdom is now, not just something we wait for.
Assignment: Try drawing this understanding of salvation on a timeline, showing humanity’s journey from creation through separation to restoration through Jesus. Share it with your group to help describe salvation in relational terms.
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
FMCSC AC25 Ordination Service: Eight New Elders Called to Ministry of Reconciliation
Experience the sacred ordination service from the Free Methodist Church in Southern California’s Annual Conference 2025, where eight pastoral candidates were ordained as elders in a powerful ceremony emphasizing the ministry of reconciliation.
Bishop Kenny Martin delivers a compelling message on reconciliation from 2 Corinthians 5:18, calling the church to unity and revival through repentance, restoration, and reunion. His message sets the spiritual foundation for the ordination of eight new elders who have answered God’s call to shepherd His people.
📖 Scripture Foundation:
• 2 Corinthians 5:18 – The Ministry of Reconciliation
• 1 Peter 4:7-10 – Serving for God’s Glory
• Acts 2:38-39 – The Promise to All Generations
• Isaiah 6:1-8 – “Here I Am, Send Me”
• John 10:11-18 – The Good Shepherd
✨ Newly Ordained Elders:
• Elizabeth A. Cornell
• Brian Scott
• Eleitino A. Tuiasosopo
• Andrea G. Vaudrey
• Reginald C. Wadlington
• Jaime L. Winslow
• Meg Wolfgram
• Jessica Zittel
Bishop Martin’s powerful message emphasizes the “R’s” of ministry:
• Reconciliation with God
• Restoring relationships
• Repentance and renewal
• Reaching those far from God
• Revival through unity
• Reunion of God’s people
The ordination ceremony includes:
• The historic Wesley Covenant Prayer
• Laying on of hands by ordained ministers
• Presentation of Bibles as symbols of authority
• Commissioning to minister the Word, celebrate sacraments, and shepherd God’s people
“Judgment begins in the house of the Lord… It’s time for the body of Christ to come together.” – Bishop Kenny Martin
This service marks a significant moment in FMCSC history as these eight leaders commit to the ministry of reconciliation, joining the legacy of faithful servants who have gone before them.
📍 CenterPoint Church, Murrieta, CA
🗓️ May 17, 2025
#Ordination #FMCSC #MinistryOfReconciliation #FreeMethodist #ChurchLeadership
Learn more about FMCSC: https://fmcsc.org
