Rev. Dave Hanson: ‘This has been a John Wesley moment’

By Kelly Roberson
 
If you’ve been to a session of the South Georgia Annual Conference in the last ten years, you’ve heard these words from Rev. Dave Hanson: “This has been a John Wesley moment.” 
 
Rev. Hanson is a retired minister in the South Georgia Conference, having served congregations in Warner Robins, Swainsboro, Hinesville, St. Simons, Brunswick and Kingsland. 
 
One of Rev. Hanson’s first encounters with John Wesley was as a high school student where Wesley’s ideas of salvation by grace and holiness of heart were introduced to him and have been an inspiration ever since. In retirement, Rev. Hanson has found a renewed passion for studying the life and works of John Wesley, a journey that has deepened his understanding and appreciation for Wesleyan theology over the years.
 
Every June at the South Georgia Annual Conference session, Rev. Hanson shares this passion as he gives short, 90-second inspirational reflections, highlighting the essence of John Wesley's teachings and their relevance to us today. These "John Wesley Moments" have become a cherished tradition at the annual conference, offering clergy and laity a glimpse into the timeless wisdom of Wesleyan theology. Rev. Hanson also shares his passion every Thursday at the Moore Methodist Museum, located on the grounds of Epworth By The Sea on St. Simons Island, where he gives a lecture on the life and ministry of John Wesley.
 
Rev. Hanson’s dedication to the study of Wesley's life and works is not only evident in his spoken words but has also found a permanent place in his recently published book – appropriately titled “This is a John Wesley Moment” – ensuring that these moments can reach a wider audience and leave a lasting impact on the spiritual journey of those who encounter them.
 
Recently, we sat down with Rev. Hanson for a quick Q&A. 
 
Advocate: What’s your favorite John Wesley moment?
 
Rev. Hanson: My favorite John Wesley Moment: I like the one where he went to visit a new church, a new chapel that had been built. When he got there, he found out it was built on a pigsty, and the smell was horrible. He said, “Anybody that's worshiped God in a place like this must really love Jesus!” That's one of my favorite ones. 
 
Advocate: What impact has studying the life of John Wesley had on you personally?
 
Rev. Hanson: One of the first encounters I had with John Wesley was when I was licensed to preach as a high school student. We had to read four little paperback books. One of them was the biography of John Wesley called Night of the Burning Heart. That’s when I first really began to dig into his life, and it was fascinating to me. His ideas of salvation by grace and holiness of heart have been an inspiration to my life ever since. 
 
Advocate:  Do you have a favorite John Wesley quote?
 
Rev. Hanson: My favorite one are the last words of his life. “Best of all, God is with us.” I love that it's so positive.
 
Advocate: What is a fun fact about John Wesley people might not know?
 
Rev. Hanson: They might not know that he loved electricity. He was fascinated by electricity, and he read everything Benjamin Franklin wrote. They were contemporaries, and he had a little machine that you twist the handle and it creates electricity. He used that in a lot of different ways, especially in medicine. He was fascinated by how the electricity affected the human body. He wrote a book about that. In there he says, if you have a bald head, rub it with a red onion, and if that doesn't work, electrify it. The book also says if somebody has dementia, pour cold water on them. If that doesn't work, electrify them. 
 
Advocate: What is one thing we as United Methodists can learn from John Wesley's time here in Georgia?
 
He had a miserable time in Georgia and learned a lot, and we can learn from that. I think he learned that being autocratic and dictatorial doesn't work, and we all need to learn that lesson.
 
Advocate: Why was capturing all of these beloved John Wesley moments and putting them into a book important to you?
 
Rev. Hanson: The Wesleyan Christian Advocate asked me to write this column of John Wesley moments. So I have this collection, and people encouraged me to put them into a book. I tried several times to do that and had false starts. The technology of writing a book is horrible. My granddaughter took that over and helped me put it together. It’s important to me because I want to share what I've learned, and I think it's so important to learn about John Wesley and the Methodist Church. The Christian Church needs to rehear that evangelical message of salvation by grace and holiness of heart. I also think we have put John Wesley on a high pedestal, and he deserves that. But that's the lonely place to be, so I try to take him down a little bit and make him more human. He's a fascinating personality once you get to know him. 
 
Advocate: What encouragement would John Wesley have for United Methodists today?
 
Rev. Hanson: The main thing is that God is with us. Don't forget that. And it's not about church success. It's about kingdom of God success. I also think he would encourage us to know that we don't have to be successful. We need to be faithful.
 
Advocate: Since we know you don't have just one favorite John Wesley moment can you close us with your second favorite?
 
Rev. Hanson: One of my favorite ones is that he did a survey of why people didn't come to Methodist societies. He compiled all this research and they said: “it is too far away;” “it's the wrong time of day;” “my wife doesn't want me to go;” “I'm afraid I might shout;” “I don't like to walk over there;” “my children don't want me to go.” But two of those surveyed said: “I don't go because Thomas Nesbit does.” I thought to myself, “Am I Thomas Nesbit? Somebody might not go to church because of me.” I love that story. 
 
Another one that I really like is when he was preaching one day and he looked over and there were two guys sound asleep. So he stopped his sermon, and he yelled, “Fire. Fire.” The guys jumped up and said, “Where?” And he said, “In hell. And that's where you're going if you sleep during the preaching of the word.” I love that.
 
Advocate: Can you sign us off?
 
Rev. Hanson: My name is Dave Hanson, and this has been a John Wesley moment.

WATCH VIDEO Q&A WITH REV. DAVE HANSON

You can purchase Rev. Hanson’s book, “This is a John Wesley Moment,” at the Moore Methodist Museum at Epworth By The Sea or by emailing him at jdavehanson@bellsouth.net.