The Brazilian Association of Wesleyan Studies – Associação Brasileira de Estudos Wesleyanos (ABEW) – is an academic and theological society founded in August 2025 by a collective of scholars and researchers dedicated to studies in the Wesleyan and Methodist tradition. The association brings together women and men affiliated with the Methodist, Nazarene, and Salvation Army churches and its members are researchers involved with education at various universities in Brazil. The group is multidisciplinary and includes experts in various fields such as systematic theology, pastoral care, missiology, classical Wesleyan studies, biblical studies, women’s studies, church history, education, religious sociology, and others.
ABEW is now promoting an online event to launch the association presence on social media, and it is happening on Monday, September 28, 2026, at 8:00 PM, Brazilian time (7:00 pm ET in the US). and will have the following program:
8:00 pm – 8:10 PM Opening – Moderation: Dr. Helmut Renders
8:10 pm – 8:50 PM Meaning and proposal of the foundation of ABEW
8:10 pm – 8:20 PM What led us to found ABEW? Dr. Rui de Souza Josgrilberg
8:20 pm – 8:30 PM Topics that deserve ABEW’s attention. Dra. Margarida Fátima Souza Ribeiro
8:30 pm – 8:40 PM The creation of ABEW in a broader context. Dra. Magali do Nascimento Cunha
8:40 pm – 8:50 PM What does ABEW intend to do? Dr. Helmut Renders
8:50 pm – 9:00 PM Closing: Dr. Vinícius Magno Borges Nunes Couto
Registration: https://forms.gle/8ft6gcLqNE1UNCnq7
The new association has been already at work, promoting Wesleyan studies by recognizing Wesleyan theology as a distinct branch that originated in England in the 18th century, now has multiple expressions worldwide, and continues to engage in ecumenical initiatives, including social movements. With the closing of Methodist-related educational institutions in Brazil and the impact of this situation on libraries, research centers, museums, and information clearinghouses, researchers in Wesleyan studies have established alternative spaces for academic freedom and freedom of thought as well as open discussion, sharing of materials, and intellectual debates. ABEW is already engaged in collaboration with other associations, participating in IAMSCU, promoting exchanges across Latin America, the Caribbean, and internationally, and preparing courses and publications to make primary and secondary sources available and accessible to the wider public.
The Brazilian Association of Wesleyan Studies – Associação Brasileira de Estudos Wesleyanos (ABEW) is led by two Presidents, Helmut Renders and Blanches de Paula, and a leadership team. For more information on their activities and plans, follow ABEW on social media @abewestudoswesleyanos (Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube Channel).