
Jeff Finley
Light + Life Executive Editor
Jeff Finley is this magazineâs executive editor. He joined the Light+Life team in 2011 after a dozen years of reporting and editing for Sun-Times Media. He is a member of John Wesley Free Methodist Church where his wife, Jen, serves as the lead pastor.
by Jeff Finley
Iâve driven along the edge of Casey, Illinois, many times but never ventured farther into this community of 2,700 residents than the Dairy Queen near the Interstate 70 exit ramp. That changed a few days ago when an initial stop for gasoline led to following the signs that pointed the way to âbig things in a small townâ such as Guinness World Records holders for the largest wind chimes, golf tee, knitting needles, wooden shoes, pitchfork, mailbox and rocking chair. The town is also home to many other massive objects that may not be the worldâs largest, but theyâre likely close.
Iâm not sure my wife and son shared my high level of enthusiasm about seeing the giant items, but we now have the selfie to prove we stood near a 46,000-pound rocking chair thatâs 56 feet tall. Iâm thankful Caseyâs signs let us know about these big things and pointed the way to them.
The day after we visited Casey, our pastor, Kenny Martin, preached a sermon titled âPointing the Wayâ with emphasis on Jesusâ words in John 14:6, âI am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.â
Earlier in the book of John, we read, âIn him was life, and that life was the light of all mankindâ (1:4). John also records Jesus saying, âI am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of lifeâ (8:12).
Since its founding in 1868 as The Free Methodist, this magazine has pointed people to Jesus Christ, who is the Light and the Life and gives the âlight of lifeâ to us. The Free Methodist Board of Administration changed the name in 1970 to âdo all we can to get the attention of people who need God in their lives. Both the name and the cover, we hope, will invite further reading.â The board members added, âIt is our earnest prayer that Light and Life will be an evangelistic tool.â
LIGHT + LIFE (as this magazine is now known) points people to Jesus through the print edition, two websites (lightandlifemagazine.com and revistaluzyvida.com) and several social media accounts. Many of our readers are not Free Methodists, and some are not (yet) Christians.
Iâve encountered several people who think this magazine is only intended for pastors or other church employees. Actually, LIGHT + LIFE is for everyone. Print copies should be available for free to anyone worshipping at any of our nearly 900 local church locations in the United States. Home subscriptions are also available for less than $1.25 an issue (click SUBSCRIBE near the top of lightandlifemagazine).
This magazineâs former editor, B.T. Roberts, launched an earlier publication, the Earnest Christian, in 1860 with the aim to âset up the Bible standard of religionâ and by âuncompromising advocacy of ârighteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spiritâ to make our magazine a favorite and welcome visitor.â That aim carried over when he gained responsibility for this magazine in 1886, and we have the same aim as we focus in 2020 on relevant themes such as unstoppable grace, sanctified sexuality, racial unity and much more (turn the page).
Free Methodists have a rich history of inviting people to lead and speak into the churchâs conversation regardless of their gender, race, income or ordination status (one more reason this magazine isnât just for pastors). This month, we launch LIGHT + LIFE Conversations, a Facebook group that we hope to reflect the ârighteousness, peace and joyâ missing in many online groups.
This issue also begins our 2020 themes with the first installment of a three-part look at our mission statement âto love God, love people, and make disciples.â In our new Focal Point section, Bishop Linda Adams reflects on âthe astonishing reality that the God of the universe wants your love.â This issueâs cover illustration includes a photo of Adams with newly ordained Pastor NĂșbia Vieira de Mello from the recent Free Methodist World Conference in Brazil. I think B.T. Roberts, whose âOrdaining Womenâ book was published in 1891, would be pleased to see the church embrace his biblically based conclusions.
Tourists may be surprised to see Bible verses on or next to some of Caseyâs large items. The 32-foot, 500-pound pencil is inscribed with Proverbs 3:3, âLet love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.â Letâs love God and point others to Godâs love.+

Jeff Finley
Light+Life Executive Editor
Jeff Finley is this magazineâs executive editor. He joined the Light+Life team in 2011 after a dozen years of reporting and editing for Sun-Times Media. He is a member of John Wesley Free Methodist Church where his wife, Jen, serves as the lead pastor.