Thomas Coke was the pioneer and he made the first of his many overseas journeys some years earlier, in 1784, at John Wesley's behest. On 2 September 1784 Coke and James Creighton, another Anglican priest, assisted John Wesley in ordaining Richard Whatcoat and Thomas Vasey to the ministry of word and sacraments. The Bishop of London, under whose jurisdiction overseas parishes fell, resolutely refused to consider ministering to the rebels and turned down John Wesley's request that he should ordain Methodist preachers to supply the need. Coke had been made Superintendent for America and there was nothing episcopal about Methodism in Britain. But the time came when the Conference accorded him the title Superintendent of the Missions. Coke and the many who shared his commitment and ambition had one overriding aim: to bring men and women to a saving faith in the love of God made known in Jesus Christ.