Take your Virtual Worship back -
about 250 years!
Virtual Visits from Founders' Faith
Looking for a Change in your Online Worship?
Are you struggling with ideas to engage your congregation from a distance?
Are you searching for something different in your virtual worship services?
Do you see this world of virtual worship as an opportunity - to experience worship in new and different ways?
Have you been going nonstop since Lent - and could use a moment to breathe?
Let a preacher from the past fill your future.
A "Virtual Visit" from Founders' Faith could give you just that: a unique moment of worship for your congregation - and a time of sabbath for you.
Peyton Dixon, actor-historian and lifelong Methodist, brings Methodist leaders from the 18th century to life for your congregation. Let these American colonial "laborers of the field" give you a one-of-a-kind glimpse at our denominational roots - and encouragement for running the race with joy, even through the tougher times.
MEET YOUR MINISTERS
Simon Blessing
- an invented persona, based upon very real early Methodist preachers. You'll hear stories of early Methodist society, the accomplishments and imperfections of leaders like Wesley and Asbury.
An everyman facing the everyday challenges his flock does.
Capt. Thomas Webb
- a member of the British Army, licensed to preach by John Wesley himself. This larger than life figure preached in his uniform, and laid his sword across the Bible before he preached.
A British Loyalist, he still helped plant many Methodist congregations of today.
Francis Asbury
- The Bishop of American Methodism, and preacher who traveled hundreds of thousands of miles on horseback. This man of faith helped to make American Methodism unique. A preacher, a traveler, a rebel, a criminal - all to keep faith and hope alive in seemingly hopeless circumstances.
- 1A WORD OF HOPE
5-10 minutes: words of encouragement. drawing upon the challenges met by Methodists of the 18th century., - 2A TIMELESS TESTIMONY
20-25 minutes: A sermon-length tale of life with the Methodists before they were a denomination, and struggling to survive. - 3A MODIFIED MEETING
45-50 minutes: Brother Simon Blessing leads a series of early Methodist songs and a selection of "meeting business" from an early Methodist society meeting. (Other preachers not available for this option.)
Blessed Assurances
OLD-TIME RELIGION
Each Founders' Faith preacher is based on years of research with museums and libraries, and materials from papers to primary sources, including diaries and journals of 18th century preachers.
TIE THAT BINDS
The child and spouse of pastors, and even a member of the choir, your virtual visitor Peyton Dixon has a lifetime of love, respect, and service in the church!
(See more below.)
HERE I AM
We'll coordinate well before your service, to make sure that our technologies will work with yours, and give you as smooth a virtual visit as possible.
About your Virtual Visitor
My name is Peyton Dixon - I'm the "person behind the personae" of Founders' Faith. I have over 15 years experience as an actor-historian, bringing icons of history to life, including Presidents John Adams and Theodore Roosevelt, as well as figures in Methodist history.
My personal Methodist foundations, along with my passions for history and performance, all came together in this most enjoyable pursuit of bringing Methodist history in this unique and exciting ways to congregations throughout the country.
About your Virtual Visitor
My name is Peyton Dixon - I'm the "person behind the personae" of Founders' Faith. I have over 15 years experience as an actor-historian, bringing icons of history to life, including Presidents John Adams and Theodore Roosevelt, as well as figures in Methodist history.
My personal Methodist foundations, along with my passions for history and performance, all came together in this most enjoyable pursuit of bringing Methodist history in this unique and exciting ways to congregations throughout the country.
What People Are Saying...
"Peyton Dixon is flat out excellent...
In the twenty minutes of his monologue, colonial Methodism comes to life. He’s a one man study course in early Methodist history in America. His program is perfect for church anniversary or heritage celebrations, membership, confirmation groups as a touchstone to the legacy of people called Methodist.”
Rev. Alfred T. Day
General Secretary, U.M. General Commission on Archives & History
"a tremendous way to bring our Methodist history to new life...
No dry history lessons for Brother Blessing; but rather a fun and interactive time of genuine worship, great Methodist hymn singing and learning together. Every single person in attendance that day spoke to me afterwards to express their delight and gratitude for Brother Blessing’s time with us.”
Pastor Jennifer Kerby
Mt. Lebanon United Methodist Church, Wilmington
"I really can't thank you enough...
"...for your wonderful presentation on our bicentennial celebration. Everyone I've spoken to was so impressed with you. Thank you for adding a wonderful element to the day."
Rev. Peter Mantell
Kingwood United Methodist Church, Stockton
The Past can provide a Path forward.
These "Ghosts of Methodist Past" can bring you an inspiring Sunday morning experience from our country's early years to your Zoom congregation.
A WORD OF HOPE
5-10 MINUTES
A brief window to the past, highlighting Methodist challenges and coming through them, however imperfectly.
A TIMELESS TESTIMONY
20-25 MINUTES
A sermon-length story, diving deeper into the struggle of an early society, holding onto faith and hope when much seemed lost.
A MODIFIED MEETING
45-50 minutes
A more complete service, with shared early Methodist songs, prayers, stories, given simply, in the Wesley-preferred ways.
Don't go through this wilderness alone.
© 2020 Founders' Faith.