AFTE is thrilled to announce that we will be holding the next John Wesley Fellows’ Christmas Conference at the Lanier Theological Library in Houston, Texas. Co-hosts will be Truett Theological Seminary and the Woodlands Methodist Church. You will not want to miss this wonderful event! Make sure to mark your calendars for December 12-15, 2024.
A Foundation for Theological Education (AFTE) John Wesley Fellowships have been awarded to three doctoral students.
Announcing that 2026 John Wesley Fellowship Scholarship Applications are now being accepted. Please see the attached form for full requirements and instructions. Applications will be accepted until March 13, 2026.
John Wesley Fellows and Friends of AFTE,
We look forward to you joining us Thursday-Sunday, December 10-13, 2026, for the
AFTE John Wesley Fellowship Christmas Conference at The Woodlands Methodist
Church, in The Woodlands, Texas. Conference panels and guest speakers will be
centered around current issues in theological education. The theme for the conference
will be AFTE and Theological Education in a Time of Disruption and Change.
We are pleased to announce that Rev. Dr. Jessica LaGrone, Executive Director of the
Beeson International Center at Asbury Theological Seminary, will be one of our featured
speakers. Bishop Bob Hayes of The Woodlands Methodist Church will also lead
discussions related to the conference theme. Additional speakers will be announced
soon.
The event is being hosted by The Woodlands Methodist Church, and we will share
further details about our time together in the coming months. In addition, conference
materials related to artificial intelligence and theological education will be distributed
prior to the event. We anticipate a meaningful time of learning, discussion, and
fellowship.
The conference will begin with check-in at the Embassy Suites by Hilton, located at
1855 Hughes Landing Blvd., The Woodlands, TX 77380, on Thursday, December 10, at
3:00 p.m. We will conclude on Sunday, December 13, at 12:00 p.m.
Please schedule your departure for no earlier than Saturday, December 12 th at 3:30
p.m. so that there is ample time to obtain transportation to the airport to travel home. (If
it is best to stay over Saturday night, your hotel will be covered.)
Currently funded Fellows are expected to attend. AFTE will cover your travel expenses.
For mentors of currently funded Fellows, AFTE will provide assistance with travel costs.
Additional details regarding travel arrangements will be emailed to you in the near
future.
Once you have registered for the conference, hotel reservations at the Embassy Suites
by Hilton will be made on your behalf through the AFTE office.
Return the attached registration form to caman@twmc.org as soon as possible, and no
later than Friday, November 6, 2026.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: A pre-arrival email will be sent approximately two weeks
before the event. This email will include the conference schedule, additional event
information, and your hotel confirmation number.
If you have any questions, please contact me at caman@twumc.org or at 936.230.1644
(cell).
Twenty John Wesley Fellows, spouses, and friends were able to experience a trip of a lifetime. The travel itinerary centered on the celebration of the 1700th Anniversary of the Council of Nicaea. It took place from May 17th to May 27th, coinciding with the celebration of the creed. The travels were throughout Western Turkey, making stops in many of the seven cities of Revelation. The experience was extremely engaging, enlightening and life changing for many of the participants. Everyone was tremendously grateful to AFTE for allowing this event to take place and look forward to future travel experiences! Please see the photo library in addition to viewing the presentations that were given during the trip on our YouTube channel.
Add links to photo library page https://johnwesleyfellows.org/photo-gallery/
Add link to YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@JohnWesleyFellows
A Foundation for Theological Education (AFTE) John Wesley Fellowships have been awarded to seven doctoral students.
The John Wesley Fellows program is designed to promote the renewal of theological education by supporting promising scholars in the Wesleyan tradition who are committed to the classical Christian faith, a robust Wesleyan understanding of Christian doctrine, and spiritual renewal of the Church and its people in service to the world. Scholarships are awarded to doctoral students to help them complete their studies. Recipients also participate in the Fellowship, which includes an annual Christmas Conference where fellows engage in scholarly conversation in service to the Church.
Prepare yourself for a gathering John Wesley Fellows and Friends of AFTE to celebrate the Wesleyan reception of the Nicene Creed and its spiritual heritage at Nicaea (modern Iznik, Turkey) and other locations relevant to the Seven Ecumenical Councils at the root of our shared faith. Join us in a pilgrimage tour walking in the pathways of apostles and praying in the basilicas of early bishops. The tour through lands of ancient treasures and Church history is scheduled for May 17–27, 2025.