The American Revolution was a pivotal moment for American Methodism. If Asbury had not remained in the country, Methodism might have failed in America. Although he was confined to Delaware and parts of Maryland and persecuted by those who opposed the Methodists, Asbury nevertheless elevated his influence. By unifying Methodists throughout the American colonies and leading itinerant preachers during wartime conflict, Asbury successfully expanded Methodism. By the end of the American Revolution, there were 14,988 American members, along with forty-six wards and eighty-four itinerant preachers. In 1784, with America's independence from Great Britain collapsing, the American Methodist Church was founded with Asbury at its head. Head. Once again, Asbury is put in the position to make Methodism thrive in America. For the first time since the movement began, Methodism was now independent of the Church of England. With this new independence and a much larger population of Methodists, the newly founded church continued to grow under Asbury's leadership in America. Asbury's new position did not hold ...