The Founder and the Head of the Christian Church is Jesus Christ. When true to its Head, Christianity is a missionary faith. "Go forth therefore" said Jesus to His apostles after His resurrection, "and make all nations my disciples" (Matthew 28:19).

Methodism is of British origin. It began as a revival movement within the Church of England in the early 18th century. It constituted part of the greater 'Evangelical Revival' - the religious awakening which took place in many parts of the Protestant world during that century. The Methodist movement was directed by the Rev John Wesley, a Church of England clergyman. To a great extent Methodism retains Wesley's theological emphases and the flexible system of Church order which he developed, and it is therefore necessary to know about his life and work.

John Wesley was born on 17 June 1703 in the Lincolnshire village of Epworth where his father, Rev Samuel Wesley was Rector. The rigorous upbringing under the direction of his remarkably strong-willed mother, Susannah, influenced him profoundly. She gave weekly missionary instruction to her children. Wesley's genius lay in organizing his converts together in groups to confirm the faith of one another, and this is the chief reason why Methodism survives to this day. Wesley disapproved of the trivial and frivolous lives of the rich, but cared deeply for the poor. He lived frugally and gave away a large part of his income. In the winter of 1783, at the age of 81, he went begging from door to door in London on behalf of the starving. Under Wesley, Methodism exercised a humanizing influence over a large section of the British people. He was a pioneer of education. (Click here to read more about John Wesley.)

As evangelism grew, an interest in foreign missions was aroused. Wesleyan Methodism was seized by the fervor for foreign missionary work which was characteristic of all Protestant denominations in the late 18th century. The Methodist leaders came to believe that the spectacular successes seen in England could be repeated throughout the world.

The man chiefly responsible for the establishment of Methodist missions, and in particular the mission to Sri Lanka, was the Rev Dr Thomas Coke. He was a Welshman, born at Brecon in October 1747. He went up to Oxford University as a Gentleman Commoner of Jesus College, and in 1775 he took the Degree of Doctor of Civil Law. He had a large private income - unlike most Methodists - and many influential friends. (Click here to read more about Dr. Thomas Coke.)

Dr. Thomas Coke, amidst trials and tribulations, organized a group of missionaries to travel with him to Sri Lanka. The British Conference, when first approached with the subject of the commencement of a mission in Sri Lanka, many rose in opposition. But Dr. Coke pushed ahead, won the approval of the Conference and set sail for Sri Lanka.

Unfortunately, Dr. Coke was not able to see his dream realized, as he passed away at sea. Rev. James Lynch was named as leader and the remaining missionaries continued on their journey.

The death of Dr. Coke not only took away the leader of the missionary group but also deprived the group of all their financial support, as all the funds were in Dr. Coke's name. But with the help of John Birch Mr. Thomas Money, the missionaries arrived in Sri Lanka and set forth with their mission.

After six hazardous and eventful months and a voyage, Methodists were at last preaching the Gospel in Sri Lanka, and the Mission to Asia was begun. Dr. Coke's vision was realized, thus.

The British Conference which met in Preston in June 1963 passed the resolution granting autonomy to the Ceylon Church. The Chairman of the Ceylon District was present on the occasion, and received the warm greetings of British Methodism under whose wing the Ceylon Church had come of age.

The Service of Inauguration of the Ceylon Methodist Conference was held on 18 June 1964. During this ceremony, the President of the British Conference, Rev Dr Frederic Greeves, inducted the Rev Frederick Stanley de Silva as the first President of the Conference of the Methodist Church, Sri Lanka.