The Central New York District is a missional district of the Wesleyan Church devoted to developing and multiplying healthy churches that fulfill the Great commandment and the Great commission in their communiti
es and in the world.
Our churches range in age from over 150 years to less than one year, and are located in our major cities, towns, villages and country side. They range in size from 1500 down to 25 and have a variety of worship styles and provide a wide range of ministries. In addition, our churches are deeply committed to global missions and church planting.
The most recent development has been the growing number of ethnic churches made up of refugees from Burma/Myanmar. Within our new neighbors are found several ethnic groups with their own languages that they prefer to worship in, though all understand Burmese, the official language of their homeland. We have a Karen congregation in Utica, a Karen group in Syracuse, and two Chen churches, one in Syracuse and the other in Rochester. These new Christian friends have enriched our District with their fervent faith and determination to build a new life in our land of freedom and abundance. In response to their request for pastoral training the District oversees a Bible School in Syracuse that teaches in the Burmese language. Presently thirty students are being trained to serve their own people.
Our district operates Chambers Wesleyan Camp & Retreat Center that provides a full range of summer camping for children, teens and adults. It also hosts a variety of retreats including a major ladies retreat in September and the Men's Adventure Weekend in May each year.
We also actively support missionary work around the globe, partnering with Wesleyan Global Partners and World Hope International, so that people are transformed by the Word of God and His love actively expressed in meaningful care. We sponsored and heavily support the first Wesleyan Church in Prague, the beautiful capital of the Czech Republic, as well as supporting many Global Partner missionaries around the world. Presently, leadership is being given to sending construction teams to assist in the rebuilding of churches and schools in Haiti. As a Wesleyan district we are proud of our denomination and the Christian colleges it sponsors which include Bethany Bible College, Houghton College, Indiana Wesleyan University, Southern Wesleyan University, and Oklahoma Wesleyan University.
Thanks for visiting our site! If you want further information, please call or email me. Sincerely,
Wayne B. Wager