About Us

What is WHC?

The Wesleyan Holiness Connection is a relational network of churches, schools, and organizations committed to bringing God’s holiness into full and transforming engagement with today’s culture. Rarely has there been a more dynamic time for God’s holiness to make a difference in our communities and world. The participating WHC denominations and institutions share a common heritage in the historic holiness movement and desire nothing less than a fresh expression of holiness in the 21^st Century.  With an emphasis on personal and social holiness, we together lean forward in navigating the tough issues that confront us. We draw from the deep well of our identity and heritage rooted in the broad holiness movement.

You will find resources, history, and inspiring fresh ideas to channel your passion…

Take time to explore this site. You will find resources, history, and inspiring fresh ideas to channel your passion to partner with God in making a difference in meaningful ways that reflect God’s holy character. There are many groups represented here, like — regional networks of church leaders, networks of top denominational heads, connections with colleges and universities, publishing opportunities, and relevant statements of engagement reflecting the holiness stream of Christianity.

How did we get here?

Although flowing from lifelong priorities of many collaborating persons, including principal founder, Kevin Mannoia, the idea of the WHC was first conceived in 2002 at a breakfast meeting in Pasadena with three friends – Donald Dayton, David Bundy, and Kevin Mannoia. Building on relational connections, Mannoia secured commitments of denominational heads to launch a three-year project called the Wesleyan Holiness Study Project. The resulting documents and collective thinking has fueled denominations, universities, local churches and leaders in raising the profile of the Holiness message and movement globally. The WHC continues to develop statements and collaboratively written documents that inform pastors and leaders on relevant societal issues.

The WHSP was redirected in 2006 at a meeting of the sponsoring denominational heads in Dallas. Priorities established included, fresh thinking on missional holiness, development of regional networks of leaders and pastors, relevant engagement through youth and contemporary issues from a Wesleyan Holiness foundation. Building upon the strong theological reflection and ongoing collaborative thinking and writing, the WHC has begun to build unity among churches and leaders with common roots in the Holiness tradition.  This includes reweaving groups once segregated in the 20^th century over Pentecostal and revivalist themes and also over black and white traditions.

A key goal of the WHC has been to rekindle the passion and profile of the Holiness message…

A key goal of the WHC has been to rekindle the passion and profile of the Holiness message by a fresh articulation of Holiness in the 21^st Century and the centering principle of unity in Holiness. The WHC has multiplied regional networks of church leaders as well as affinity groups such as university/college presidents, women clergy, anti-human trafficking, and publishing to fuel the movement. Formed as the publishing arm of the WHC, Aldersgate Press has published multiple books centering on practical holiness and provides a pastoral journal for leaders.

Key sponsoring relationships were formed with Azusa Pacific University and America’s Christian Credit Union providing mutual benefits to both. Most recently a similar sponsoring relationship has developed with World Gospel Mission. The WHC continues to remain focused upon being a relational network unifying churches, leaders, and institutions around the fresh articulation of Holiness – personal and social – in the 21^st Century.