Encounters with John Wesley

Over the course of his ministry, noted British Methodist John Wesley (1703-1791) covered some 200,000 miles on horseback, preaching and singing, often in the face of opposition. Featuring Wesley interpreter Mark Topping, the half-hour Encounters with John Wesley captures Wesley's open-air preaching through dramatic reenactments in locations that include the New Room in Bristol, England (the oldest Methodist chapel in the world) and brother Charles Wesley's House (also in Bristol), concluding with a scroll-down chronology of Wesley's life. But the real attraction here lies in the bonus features, which include four short dramatized versions of Wesley sermons: “Lay not up for yourselves treasures on earth”; “Awake, thou sleepest”; “Thoughts on slavery”; and “Thoughts on war.” The last two of these in particular might surprise viewers as their content is as relevant today as it was in the 18th century. Other DVD extras include an interview with Topping, and a look at the New Room. A solid companion to A Heart Set Free (VL-9/08), which provides a broad overview of the lives of both John and Charles Wesley and the origins of Methodism, Encounters with John Wesley is recommended. Aud: P. (J. Reed)