Modern Day Circuit Riders

I have been thinking this week about the original Circuit Riders in the Methodist Episcopal Church. They were clergy in the early years of the United States who traveled to certain geographic areas to minister to settlers as well as to organize churches. The term Circuit Riders is very Wesleyan and an important part of the church's rich history.

I have specifically though about the correlation between the work of the early clergy, or Circuit Riders, and the work we are doing here at the General Commission on United Methodist Men (GCUMM). Because this is a global ministry to and through men, many of us in the office travel a lot. We are visiting certain geographical areas to minister to church members and individuals as well as to share the stories of the United Methodist Men. As a member of this ministry team, there is such joy and fulfillment in meeting new people, giving and receiving encouragement, and finding ways to continue to share the gospel with others around the world. We are, in a sense, modern day circuit riders.