The Making of a Revival House

WHERE WE HAVE BEEN

Turn in your bible to Luke 4:14

FOB Beginnings & History

Fellowship of Believers began in the spring of 1979, not in a sanctuary or a rented hall, but in a living room with just four families who were hungry for God. What started small quickly grew, and by that summer nearly fifty people were meeting every week. As the gatherings multiplied, the group moved into the South Gate Community Center and asked Don Lafler to shepherd this emerging fellowship. It wasn’t long before Thursday meetings became our first Sunday service, and God began to form the early identity of this church.

By December of 1979, the fellowship moved again—this time to the George Potter Building. During those eleven months, something powerful took root: vibrant small groups where families met in homes, shared meals, grew in relationships, and pursued God together. Hearts were knit together, leadership was raised up, and the foundation of our church culture—presence, community, discipleship—was formed.

In 1980, God opened the doors to the Sarasota Girl’s Club, a space that allowed us to expand into classrooms and ministry areas. Over the next six years, the church grew from 75 to over 200 people. In 1982, elders were ordained—marking a significant moment of spiritual order and leadership development as God continued shaping the character and vision of the house.

By 1986, growth forced yet another move. On the very first Sunday at the Florida West Coast Symphony Center, attendance jumped from 200 to 350 people—a visible sign of God’s hand and faithfulness. We would spend several years there as the church continued to mature and flourish.

Then came a defining moment in 1992. After years of renting spaces, God stirred the heart of the church to put down permanent roots. Through sacrificial giving, miracle offerings, and supernatural favor, the family acquired land on 3333 12th Street. The congregation prepared the land, built as they had the cash, and—by the grace of God—completed the building debt free. In December 1992, we gathered for the first time on our own property, giving glory to God for His provision and the faithfulness of His people.

Our Current Leadership Team

Fast forward to today—November 2025—our church is now in its third generation of leadership. Through a challenging but God-ordained series of transitions in 2020–2021, the Lord raised up and installed the team that now serves as the directional leadership of our fellowship. Many of you walked through that season with us, and even then we could sense that God was preparing us for something greater.

In 2022, our team set aside our own plans and ideas and began to seek God for what His church should look like. That led to some incredibly difficult decisions. We paused ministries, small groups, and classes—not because we lost vision, but because God was calling us to simplify everything down to one mandate: Seek God. During that time, the Lord gave us a phrase that shaped our pace and posture: “We move at the pace of obedience.”

Our hearts longed to rebuild, to relaunch groups, to strengthen culture, and to see ministries flourish again. But the Holy Spirit showed us—through prophetic words, dreams, and clear confirmations—that before we could build anything new, He needed to heal what was underneath. Parts of our foundation as a church—presence, community, discipleship—needed restoration. And God, in His kindness, began to rebuild us from the inside out.

In January 2024, our leadership team was ordained, marking a new chapter of alignment and spiritual commissioning. And in February 2025, we set aside a weekend to seek the Lord for the future of our fellowship. God met us profoundly. Over the past seven months, we have prayed, processed, refined, tested, and distilled what we believe is the word of the Lord for our house.

And today, we finally get to share the beginning of what God has been forming in us. This morning we’re presenting a preview of our Vision, Mission, and Values—and in January, we will begin a deeper, church-wide journey into the future God is calling us to build together.

WHERE WE ARE

The Vision of Our House

Fellowship of Believers is a house of revival.

Jesus is the One we worship, the Word we follow, and our reason for living. Rooted in God’s Word and led by the Holy Spirit, we are commissioned to see communities transformed by the Gospel—where people are saved from despair, freed from bondage, discipled in the way of Jesus, and sent to expand His Kingdom.

Wherever we gather—homes, parks, or church buildings—we carry His presence. We move together in unity, steward His gifts with faithfulness, encourage one another as we run our race, and fulfill the Kingdom purpose entrusted to us by Christ.

Jesus is our revival.

Our Mission

Our mission at Fellowship of Believers is to gather people into God’s presence, grow disciples in the way of Jesus, and go in the power of the Holy Spirit to impact Sarasota and the nations.

Simple

Gather. Grow. Go.

Our Values

Righteous Living

We pursue holiness with pure hearts and faithful obedience, living as transformed disciples of Jesus.

Honor

We honor God and people by walking in humility, respecting authority, and treating every person with dignity and value.

Servant Leadership

We lead like Jesus—with humility, love, and a commitment to equip and empower others for God’s purposes.

Jesus Focus

We center everything on our relationship with Jesus—the One we worship, the Word we follow, and the reason we live.

Hospitality Communion

We make room at the table, pursuing reconciliation, practicing forgiveness, and welcoming others into authentic community.

Rest

We trust God enough to stop, be renewed, and live from His presence, finding strength in His rest.

Kingdom Impact

We live open-handed and wholehearted, giving generously and serving with excellence so that our lives advance the Kingdom of God.

THE MARKS OF A REVIVAL HOUSE

Luke 4.16

The Start of Jesus Ministry

Luke 4:16–19 ESV

16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read. 17 And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written, 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

Jesus is in the synagogue and is quoting Isaiah 61, the year of the Lord’s Favor!

There’s over 30 aspects of things that change in the year of the lords favor.

The one element I want to point out is we MUST BE spiritually minded!

We are spirit first!

Spiritual Lens

“…to proclaim the gospel to the poor…” - think spiritually poor, not money poor

“…to proclaim liberty to the captives…” - think spiritually captive

“…recovering of sight to the blind…” - expand your understanding to think about the spiritually blind

Jesus ends up being rejected in his hometown and travels to Capernaum and established a ministry headquarters there.

The Gathering & Teaching

Luke 4:31–32 ESV

31 And he went down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee. And he was teaching them on the Sabbath, 32 and they were astonished at his teaching, for his word possessed authority.

Cultural Context

<< map of Galilee >>

Capernaum was a center of commerce

fishing was massive here

the main road to Damascus went through Capernaum

Cap. was also a Roman tax polling station

In comparison to surrounding town, Cap. was rather small—yet significant.

Capernaum means ‘the village of Nahum.’ But Nahum is a fascinating Hebrew word—it's what you call a contronym. It carries two meanings that almost feel opposite: it can mean to regret or to comfort.

It’s like the word itself holds a tension—sorrow and comfort in the same breath.

And yet, isn’t that exactly what Jesus does in this town? He steps into a place whose very name carries a paradox… and He turns regret into comfort, mourning into joy, bondage into freedom. He restores what once brought sorrow and releases what brings comfort.

Capernaum becomes the perfect setting for revival because Jesus walks right into the tension and transforms it.

Teaching Authority

Jesus was teaching on Sabbath— their day of rest and main gathering.

The text shows us that the crowd was astonished (to be struck, to almost lost one’s mental composure) at the authority he was carrying in teaching the word.

RH Mark

A Revival House is a place of gathering— in buildings, in parks, in homes, wherever two or more are gathered!

Hebrews 10:24–25 ESV

24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Acts 4:31 ESV

31 And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.

A Revival House is a place of authoritative teaching!

We are going to unapologetically do our best to teach the entirety of scripture with authority. When the word of God is presented, the sinner is cut to the heart and called to repentance.

Ministry, Deliverance, & Worship Order

Now, in the middle of Jesus’ teaching…

Luke 4:33–35 ESV

33 And in the synagogue there was a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice, 34 “Ha! What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.” 35 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent and come out of him!” And when the demon had thrown him down in their midst, he came out of him, having done him no harm.

Notice: not everyone in the synagogue was “clean”

The demon cries out through the man and interrupts the service.

The demon cries out, “Ha!” which translates to, leave us alone, let us be!

Jesus rebukes (to admonish, cusure) the demon (not the man) - “Be silent and come out of him!”

Hospital, Not a Circus

Jesus doesn’t entertain the demon

Colossians 2:15 ESV

15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.

Ephesians 6:12 ESV

12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

Jesus doesn’t allow the demon to entertain— Satan’s plan has always been to get the attention on him

Isaiah 14:13 ESV

13 You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north;

Ezekiel 28:17 ESV

17 Your heart was proud because of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor. I cast you to the ground; I exposed you before kings, to feast their eyes on you.

On its way out, the demon puts on a show, casting the man to the ground, yet notice that the man wasn’t harmed.

Luke 4:36–37 ESV

36 And they were all amazed and said to one another, “What is this word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!” 37 And reports about him went out into every place in the surrounding region.

RH Mark

A Revival House is messy— we must keep room for the sinner to find Jesus and repent!

Psalm 34:18 ESV

18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.

Psalm 147:3 ESV

3 He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

Luke 5:31–32 ESV

31 And Jesus answered them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 32 I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”

A Revival House is a place of His presence— we are not here to entertain or perform for man.

Hosting His Presence Beyond the Church Walls

Luke 4:38–39 ESV

38 And he arose and left the synagogue and entered Simon’s house. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was ill with a high fever, and they appealed to him on her behalf. 39 And he stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her, and immediately she rose and began to serve them.

Sickness & Family Growth

Setting change: Jesus is now in a home!

Can Jesus operate outside of the church building? Can I experience the presence of God without the worship team or the preacher or the prayer team?

The text says that the people of the house appealed (to ask, pray, beg, question, urge) to Jesus for the healing of mom.

bring the whole family along, it is never too early to teach our kids the word of God, how to pray, how to listen to the voice of God

We will often bring our children on the journey of praying for someone that is in need. They don’t need to know all the details or the workings of the situation - they just need faith!

Jesus stands over mom and rebukes the fever!

She stands up and begins serving the home! Radical Hospitality & Hosting

RH Mark

A Revival House expands beyond the church building— God is omnipresent (everywhere at all times)

A Revival House is a full family encounter— Peter’s family all appealed for Mom’s healing.

A Revival House is hospitable— we leave a seat at the table. He has prepared a table before each one of us! (Ps 23)

Expansion into the Community

Luke 4:40 ESV

40 Now when the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to him, and he laid his hands on every one of them and healed them.

Now, Jesus has been at Synagogue that morning, now at the house this afternoon— the word is spreading and the town has shown up at the door.

The healthy begin bringing the sick to Jesus.

Jesus took time to lay hands on every single one of them AND healed them!

RH Mark

The christian is not a checkbox, it’s a lifestyle— we must have a heart for the EVERY ONE that comes to the door.

Luke 4:41 ESV

41 And demons also came out of many, crying, “You are the Son of God!” But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew that he was the Christ.

Now notice something, they brought sick and diseased people yet now they are manifesting demons.

Jesus still doesn’t entertain them, he rebukes them and casts them out!

Also note, these demons are proclaiming truth! We need to have discernment, a demon is a demon; even if it’s quoting truth, the end goal is confusion, chaos, and destruction.

Recharge & Multiplication

Luke 4:42–44 ESV

42 And when it was day, he departed and went into a desolate place. And the people sought him and came to him, and would have kept him from leaving them, 43 but he said to them, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose.” 44 And he was preaching in the synagogues of Judea.

Jesus ministers through the night and as day is breaking, he breaks away and realigns with His Father for mission.

The people come looking for him and look at the response, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well…”

The people desired to keep Jesus in one place.

Jesus desired for the gospel to multiply there and beyond!

Jesus begins his journey south towards Jerusalem, preaching through the region of Galilee and Judea.

RH Mark

A Revival House multiplies— we recognize this isn’t just for us, but for the other towns that need the good news!

Closing

Our Mission

Our mission at Fellowship of Believers is to gather people into God’s presence, grow disciples in the way of Jesus, and go in the power of the Holy Spirit to impact Sarasota and the nations.

Simple

Gather. Grow. Go.

The Year of the Lord’s Favor

Isaiah 61 ESV

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified. They shall build up the ancient ruins; they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations. Strangers shall stand and tend your flocks; foreigners shall be your plowmen and vinedressers; but you shall be called the priests of the Lord; they shall speak of you as the ministers of our God; you shall eat the wealth of the nations, and in their glory you shall boast. Instead of your shame there shall be a double portion; instead of dishonor they shall rejoice in their lot; therefore in their land they shall possess a double portion; they shall have everlasting joy. For I the Lord love justice; I hate robbery and wrong; I will faithfully give them their recompense, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them. Their offspring shall be known among the nations, and their descendants in the midst of the peoples; all who see them shall acknowledge them, that they are an offspring the Lord has blessed. I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. For as the earth brings forth its sprouts, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to sprout up, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to sprout up before all the nations.