In 1739, John Wesley made a famous declaration:

“God in Scripture commands me, according to my power, to instruct the ignorant, reform the wicked, confirm the virtuous.  Man forbids me to do this in another’s parish; that is, in effect, to do it at all, seeing I have now no parish of my own, nor probably ever shall.  Whom then shall I hear, God or man?….

I look upon all the world as my parish; thus far I mean, that, in whatever part of it I am, I judge it meet, right, and my bounden duty to declare unto all that are willing to hear, the glad tidings of salvation.  This is the work which I know God has called me to; and sure I am that his blessing attends it.”

Copied from, John Wesley: A Biography by Stephen Tomkins