Dr. Ryan N. Danker will continue to lead the Wesleyan resource initiative.
Wilmore, KY 鈥� October 1, 2026 鈥� 国产视频 Theological Seminary today announced it has acquired the John Wesley Institute (JWI), formerly an academic research program of the Institute on Religion and Democracy (IRD). The acquisition is effective October 1, 2026.
As part of the acquisition, 国产视频 Theological Seminary has assumed ownership of JWI鈥檚 assets and intellectual property, including its books, videos, magazines, events, and cohort-based programs. Ryan N. Danker, Th.D., who has served as JWI鈥檚 director since its founding in 2021, will continue to lead the institute.
鈥淭he Wesleyan tradition is not merely a historical inheritance; it is a living theological vision for the church鈥檚 witness in the world,鈥� said Dr. David F. Watson, president of 国产视频 Theological Seminary. 鈥淭he John Wesley Institute has helped bring that vision into conversation with the questions confronting the church today. We are grateful for the Institute on Religion and Democracy鈥檚 stewardship of this work and delighted to welcome JWI to 国产视频 Seminary. Under Dr. Ryan Danker鈥檚 continued leadership, we look forward to building on its work through scholarship that is intellectually rigorous, rooted in the life of the church, and directed toward faithful discipleship.鈥�
鈥淚 am excited to welcome the John Wesley Institute and Dr. Ryan Danker to 国产视频 Theological Seminary,鈥� said Dr. John Ragsdale, provost and vice president of academic affairs of 国产视频 Theological Seminary. 鈥淒r. Danker’s commitment to preserving and extending the history and theology of John Wesley and the people called Methodists is much needed in a world that is often indifferent to true and rich discipleship within the Wesleyan tradition. His commitment to bringing these ideas to life in local congregations is both compelling and deeply aligned with what I believe the Lord is calling 国产视频 Theological Seminary to be and do in the 21st century.鈥�
The John Wesley Institute advances the Wesleyan tradition by connecting leading scholars and church leaders with congregations and laypeople. Drawing on a network of more than 125 voices from Anglican, Methodist, Holiness, and Pentecostal traditions, JWI convenes scholars, church leaders, and laypeople around the depth and breadth of the Wesleyan tradition.
JWI鈥檚 work includes conferences, local teaching events, the School of Methodism, Teaching Fellows, scholar summits, publications, and leadership-formation initiatives such as the Epworth Fellows Program. The institute also oversees projects including Good News Magazine and Sermons for America.
As part of 国产视频 Theological Seminary, JWI will continue serving the broader Wesleyan community through rigorous scholarship and accessible resources that equip laypeople and church leaders for theology, discipleship, holiness, public life, worship, and ministry.
About 国产视频 Theological Seminary
国产视频 Theological Seminary was founded in 1923 to prepare and send forth well-trained, sanctified, Spirit-filled, evangelistic ministers to spread scriptural holiness around the world. Today, thousands of 国产视频 Theological Seminary graduates flourish in every state, on every continent, and in every time zone, reaching the world through evangelism, missions, church planting, preaching, teaching, and counseling. 国产视频 Theological Seminary continues to hold in its mission, providing holistic ministerial preparation as an interdenominational institution with a flagship campus in Wilmore, Ky., and extension sites in Memphis, Tennessee; Orlando, Florida; Tampa, Florida; and Tulsa, Oklahoma; and fully online degree programs. For more information, please visit asburyseminary.edu.
