Our History      

Almost twenty five years ago (1981), a handful of Christians and a very young pastor (Larry Edison) came together for Bible study and worship in Sarasota and Covenant Life Presbyterian Church was born. Numbering less than 20, these committed believers studied, worshiped and prayed together in private homes until the group grew too large to squeeze into anyone's living room. We wanted to be a core of a Presbyterian church with a passion to reach families, and, at the same time, faithful to God's Word, and excited about outreach and missions.

Our first meeting place was Wilkinson Elementary school. Nineteen people “packed” out the elementary school library; enduring the “half-pint” chairs that September of 1981in order to sing, pray, learn, and give ourselves to Christ and each other. When we were named in a lawsuit for separation of church and state, the Lord opened the doors for us to spend the next nine months in, what was then called, the Sarasota Christian Teen Center. Our first pulpit was a pool table, and during that year together, we had a great time building a community of people who were obviously eager to grow as Christians, and willing to learn the Bible, and struggle to apply God’s word to our lives.

We found out, in May of 1982, that a recreation center buried hidden within a local subdivision, and which was home to a Christian school was going out of business, and they wanted to sell to us. We took that as encouragement from the Lord, and moved into our first (not rented ) facility with almost 100 people. Six months later we were established as a “real” congregation - and we installed Larry Edison as the Sr. Pastor, and along with him, a good number of men as elders. This was the continuation of our commitment to a team leadership philosophy.

We continued to grow, and as we did, always kept our eye out for a new location where we could have the kind of campus which would perfectly suit our needs. In the meantime, we added Andy Philips as a Youth pastor, and he did double duty both as a pastor to youth, as well as an Assistant Pastor to the adult membership.

In April of 1988, we pulled up stakes, sold the recreation building which had been our home for more than five years, and Covenant Life settled comfortably into its shady oak hammock on Proctor Road; and we thought we were home.

After many years "making do" in rented, borrowed, and inadequate space, we thought our beautiful facility was vast. How would we ever be able to fill all those pews!? But God continued to bless our church family and dramatic growth soon followed. The need for expansion was evident within just eighteen short months of moving to our current location when critical need forced us to enlarge the Fellowship Hall and add an additional eight classroom buildings. These structures were designed to accommodate Christian Education classes for adults and children, our nursery, family activities, Vacation Bible School , meals for the congregation and choir practice and they functioned beautifully - for a time.

Andy Phillips left in 1990, and Daryl Davis, a long time friend and seminary classmate of Larry Edison, replaced him. Daryl came to help us build a real sense of community by focusing on building and growing small groups within the church.

In the meantime, eventually Jeanne Griffith, a volunteer already giving her time to our students, was hired to use her talents with our Middle school and High School student ministry. She continued with the philosophy of leadership of the church and raised up a team of people who were willing workers - and who helped make the student ministry a success.

In the summer of 1990, we hired a man, fresh out of seminary to do something quite exciting. Dave Sturkey, and his wife Kelly (along with their growing family) came down to Sarasota to help us begin a daughter congregation. We hired him to be an Assistant Pastor, and we put him on display for six months. We encouraged him to begin to form a small group of people who were interested in spinning off the new church.  In 1991 we gave them seed money (along with his salary) and off they went on their own.

Meanwhile, by 1992, the Covenant Life congregation was again spilling out of the church doors. We acquired a leased portable to handle our overflow in Christian education. We learned to juggle youth groups, double-book classroom space, overlap schedule activities and stagger worship services to handle the crowds. But still, the good news was that people kept coming.

Covenant Life eventually offered three Sunday services to relieve the overcrowding. Yet frustrated visitors were turning around and leaving when they find no place to park. Holiday services were so crowded that family members were unable to sit together. Some children's classes had nowhere to meet. The Fellowship Hall and its limited adjoining space could no longer serve as song room, study center and classroom hub, because simultaneous activities make it impossible to hear. Remodeling and expansion were not possible.

Even through this time, as the church continued to grow, we added several new staff members. Tom Schneider came to help us develop children and family ministry. A few years later, after Jeanne Griffith left, Joe Davis came to bring his expertise with the students; and did a remarkable job.  Now, during the summer of '06, we eagerly await the arrival of Scott Mawhinney to take the helm of the Student Ministry.

In His perfect time, God presented us with an opportunity, solution, and a mission through the Palmer Ranch property. So we did it again. We sold our Proctor property, pulled up stakes, and moved to our present location here on McIntosh Road in the Palmer Ranch community of Sarasota .

Here, we can continue establish a faithful body of believers in a rapidly growing area that has no other church buildings. Covenant Life has been able to build a facility with room for all our members and those who will join us in years to come. Beautiful grounds and a tranquil lake enhance the wooded setting and there is ample space for church picnics and other outdoor activities. We’ve got a great nursery playground, and a perfect basketball court for our students.

We continue to grow - and we continue to add staff in order to serve the growing demands of the ministry. You can take a look at the staff by clicking on the link at the bottom of this page.

Though the last twenty plus years, we have seen God’s hand at work among us. People’s lives have been changed by the Good News of Christ. We will see Him carry us into the future as He adds more and more people into our fellowship. Each family God adds seems to bring unique gifts, passions, and skills that He believes we need for further ministry.

You’ve got a part in Covenant Life’s future . . .

Staff Pictures (click here)