What do you think?
Rate this book
Christian Heroes: Then & Now #40
Francis Asbury: Circuit Rider
One of the first Methodist bishops in America, English-born Francis Asbury devoted his life to ministry, traveling on horseback to preach and teach to those living on the vastly isolated American frontier. Alone in a new country, with no home of his own, Asbury rode over 300,000 miles--across rivers and through rocky, overgrown roads--shining God's light on the fledgling colonies.
When many Methodist clergy left America during the Revolutionary War, Asbury stayed. His tireless leadership saw the movement grow from 5,000 members in 1776 to over 200,000 at the time of his death, fulfilling the great duty of his call and shaping future generations (1745-1816).
When many Methodist clergy left America during the Revolutionary War, Asbury stayed. His tireless leadership saw the movement grow from 5,000 members in 1776 to over 200,000 at the time of his death, fulfilling the great duty of his call and shaping future generations (1745-1816).
192 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2013
9 people are currently reading
281 people want to read
About the author
Janet Benge
176 books315 followersJanet and Geoff Benge are a husband and wife writing team with twenty years of writing experience. They are best known for the books in the two series Christian Heroes: Then & Now series and Heroes of History. Janet is a former elementary school teacher. Geoff holds a degree in history. Together they have a passion to make history come alive for a new generation. Originally from New Zealand, the Benges make their home in the Orlando, Florida, area.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
January 24, 2024
A thorough biography of Francis Asbury! I learned many things, and didn’t find any of the book boring.
March 28, 2024
While this book is written for younger readers, I found it thoroughly enjoyable, inspiring, and it made me want to read more about Asbury‘s life.
July 12, 2022
The Benges write easy-to-digest biographies.
I'd heard of Francis Asbury, but this was the first book I've read about him, and it was good to learn about someone who is kind of a father to my church's denomination.
Francis was a man of high morals who didn't want to let politics bog down his ministry. Which wasn't any easy choice since he came to America from England and weathered the War for Independence. Not only did he face having to keep a low profile during the war, but he also had to navigate "church" stuff after the war, but he sought to keep a godly attitude even when he disagreed with other Christians.
SPOILER:
I didn't really realize that Methodists weren't really a separate denomination from the Church of England. It actually caused a problem for American Methodists, because at first, John Wesley didn't want non-ordained Methodist preachers doing baptism or serving communion. (A lot of Methodist preachers were not highly educated and hadn't gone through ordination in England.) John Wesley finally took the step to sanction ordinations outside of the Church of England which in turn led to the formation of the Methodist Episcopal Church in America.
Anyway, Francis became a bishop in the new denomination , was anti-slavery, rode thousands of miles as a circuit rider, and basically just gave his life to the cause of the gospel.
I'd heard of Francis Asbury, but this was the first book I've read about him, and it was good to learn about someone who is kind of a father to my church's denomination.
Francis was a man of high morals who didn't want to let politics bog down his ministry. Which wasn't any easy choice since he came to America from England and weathered the War for Independence. Not only did he face having to keep a low profile during the war, but he also had to navigate "church" stuff after the war, but he sought to keep a godly attitude even when he disagreed with other Christians.
SPOILER:
I didn't really realize that Methodists weren't really a separate denomination from the Church of England. It actually caused a problem for American Methodists, because at first, John Wesley didn't want non-ordained Methodist preachers doing baptism or serving communion. (A lot of Methodist preachers were not highly educated and hadn't gone through ordination in England.) John Wesley finally took the step to sanction ordinations outside of the Church of England which in turn led to the formation of the Methodist Episcopal Church in America.
Anyway, Francis became a bishop in the new denomination , was anti-slavery, rode thousands of miles as a circuit rider, and basically just gave his life to the cause of the gospel.
June 14, 2025
A British Christian missionary to Colonial America…
October 26, 2025
Just finished reading about Frank Asbury. I listened to this audiobook while driving to LAX at night to pick up my buddy from Tennessee who ran for congress and went to Catalina Island, which felt like the movie set for Pirates of the Caribbean.
Frank was appointed by John and Charles Wesley to sail to colonial America and be a circuit preacher, where he rode on a horse traveling 40,000 to 60,000 miles every year. Frank lived through the American Revolution. I never knew that all the Methodist preachers were in essence the British loyalists of their day were "the woke" of their day and expunged from the country, like illegal immigrants of today, who do not have an American passport or valid green card or Visa to stay.
The methodist preachers either left of their own volition or in some case, a Methodist Preacher has acted as a spy for the British and had given important information and was later captured and a prisoner exchange was made and the Methodist Preacher sent back to England.
Frank Asbury, was the only Methodist Preacher who stayed in America and when a letter was intercepted by the Revolution, they saw that Frank was not a British spy and they met him thereafter with no restrictions. In fact, though be considered Heaven to be his one true home, he would never go back to England and would spend the rest of his life in America preaching about Jesus. Frank would do Airbnb before there was Airbnb, staying a new night in a log cabin or a fine colonial mansion, ministering. He had crossed the Appalachian mountains 60 times.
Asbury was a circuit rider during the Revolutionary war to the war of 1812. For 45 years he preached in America, never getting married. Before the photograph and internet. Many famous people were not always recognizable on sight. Thus Francis Asbury in the late 18th and early 19th century was the most known patriot and person in America.
Frank was appointed by John and Charles Wesley to sail to colonial America and be a circuit preacher, where he rode on a horse traveling 40,000 to 60,000 miles every year. Frank lived through the American Revolution. I never knew that all the Methodist preachers were in essence the British loyalists of their day were "the woke" of their day and expunged from the country, like illegal immigrants of today, who do not have an American passport or valid green card or Visa to stay.
The methodist preachers either left of their own volition or in some case, a Methodist Preacher has acted as a spy for the British and had given important information and was later captured and a prisoner exchange was made and the Methodist Preacher sent back to England.
Frank Asbury, was the only Methodist Preacher who stayed in America and when a letter was intercepted by the Revolution, they saw that Frank was not a British spy and they met him thereafter with no restrictions. In fact, though be considered Heaven to be his one true home, he would never go back to England and would spend the rest of his life in America preaching about Jesus. Frank would do Airbnb before there was Airbnb, staying a new night in a log cabin or a fine colonial mansion, ministering. He had crossed the Appalachian mountains 60 times.
Asbury was a circuit rider during the Revolutionary war to the war of 1812. For 45 years he preached in America, never getting married. Before the photograph and internet. Many famous people were not always recognizable on sight. Thus Francis Asbury in the late 18th and early 19th century was the most known patriot and person in America.
November 9, 2021
"What could he do that he did not do? For he exhausted all his strength, broke down his constitution, spent his talents and his all, and wore out his life, for the good man and for the glory of God."
- Ezekiel cooper, at the memorial service for Francis Asbury, a man more recognizable in his day than George Washington
- Ezekiel cooper, at the memorial service for Francis Asbury, a man more recognizable in his day than George Washington
March 29, 2025
Good for learning about:
- Origin of Methodist church (esp in America)
- Circuit riders
- Revolutionary War era
- Church infighting and what can happen when allegiance to a leader surpasses allegiance to the Lord.
This book from the “Christian Heroes” series has been one of my least favorite to read from an inspirational stand point, but it was still good to learn about.
- Origin of Methodist church (esp in America)
- Circuit riders
- Revolutionary War era
- Church infighting and what can happen when allegiance to a leader surpasses allegiance to the Lord.
This book from the “Christian Heroes” series has been one of my least favorite to read from an inspirational stand point, but it was still good to learn about.
December 27, 2023
I read it for class.
There were grammatical errors that lit my soul on fire and also, why did it have to be sooooo dry. I've read other biographies that were loads more entertaining than this torture.
Informational though.
There were grammatical errors that lit my soul on fire and also, why did it have to be sooooo dry. I've read other biographies that were loads more entertaining than this torture.
Informational though.
January 29, 2025
Fascinating slice of American history that I had no clue about! (Also, now I finally know exactly what Methodists are). A little in to the weeds about the minutiae of the governance of the early American Methodist church, but otherwise superb. Excellent audiobook narration too.
November 5, 2025
Tom and I listened to this biography as we drove through the Midwest on the "thank you tour" road trip. As I read these biographies, I jump back and forth centuries. Francis A lived during the American Revolution. He had a hard life on horseback, going from one place to another yet he lived a long life. He never married because he sensed such a strong calling to share the Gospel in the colonies.
I learned quite a bit about the Methodist church. Asbury was a devoted Methodist and he looked to the Wesley brothers back in England for direction. Eventually that changed and the United Methodist church was born in the United States. There were some personnel problems with that switch, of course. That is how it is with people whether churches or businesses.
I am so sad about what the Methodist church stands for him the USA today. This would have shocked Francis A as well as the Wesley brothers.
I learned quite a bit about the Methodist church. Asbury was a devoted Methodist and he looked to the Wesley brothers back in England for direction. Eventually that changed and the United Methodist church was born in the United States. There were some personnel problems with that switch, of course. That is how it is with people whether churches or businesses.
I am so sad about what the Methodist church stands for him the USA today. This would have shocked Francis A as well as the Wesley brothers.
March 2, 2023
Even though we are not Methodists, this was a great book to read to the kids. They had the opportunity to see a man serve God with his whole life—even risking his life—to spread the gospel.
November 9, 2024
Writing style reminds me of Childhood of Famous Americans series, though there are a LOT of facts and figures inserted into the story.
August 7, 2025
Finally done with this thing dude. Don't tell the people at Shalom but uhh not a big fan of this one
December 31, 2020
This series is one of my favorites for missionary biographies. This book is particularly good. I had never heard of Francis Asbury, but I can’t wait to read more about him! He left England as a young man and devoted his life to riding circuits in America, often in rural and dangerous conditions, all to share the Gospel and encourage other Christians. At his funeral, one of the young men he had trained said this, “What could he do that he did not do? For he exhausted all his strength, broke down his constitution, spent his talents and his all, and wore out his life, for the good of man and the glory of God.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 5, 2025
This book discusses the life of Francis Asbury. He was best known for his Methodist missions work in the United States from the 1760s to 1810s.
The audiobook narrator was Tim Gregory.
The audiobook narrator was Tim Gregory.
July 22, 2018
Not very exciting, a bit boring for me
December 31, 2015
I really admire Francis Asbury's zeal and dedication to spreading the gospel, but he was also very legalistic. This book covers the history of the Methodist church and the American Revolution pretty well, also.
September 28, 2018
Enjoyable look at a missionary that I wasn't familiar with. This juvenile biography covers little of Asbury's childhood but much of his adulthood and demonstrates his whole-hearted commitment to serving the Lord by spreading the gospel in his adopted home, the United States.
My ancestor, John Chapman, was also a Methodist circuit rider and a private in the Revolutionary War. He later founded a church with another preacher in Indiana, which is still functioning. I thought reading this book would give me a glimpse of what John Chapman's life might have been like.
My ancestor, John Chapman, was also a Methodist circuit rider and a private in the Revolutionary War. He later founded a church with another preacher in Indiana, which is still functioning. I thought reading this book would give me a glimpse of what John Chapman's life might have been like.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews