General Info:
First Brethren Church has been blessing people since 1954. A small group of people began meeting and decided that the community of Sarasota needed a Brethren Church. That has resulted in over fifty years of ministry that is still ongoing. The church has met the needs of its members and friends, of course, but has also ministered to the needs of the community, which has resulted in a good reputation with the people of Sarasota. We teach and practice the Bible, nothing more or less. While many people base their lives on the latest fads or human traditions, we follow the Bible without taking out parts or adding our own ideas. It is the only final authority for our beliefs and practices. We are also a very loving church. God loves each person and if God loves you, then you're okay with us. While we unashamedly preach the truth from the Bible, we speak the truth with love as the Bible commands. Pastor David Stone has served as head pastor for the church since February 1997. He grew up here in Sarasota and attended Southside Elementary School and Pine View School. God has clearly called him back to the church that introduced him to Jesus Christ. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Ashland University in Ashland, Ohio and then earned a Master of Divinity degree from Ashland Theological Seminary. This church is part of Brethren Church, a group of about 120 churches throughout the United States with headquarters in Ashland, Ohio. Ashland is also the location for Ashland University and Ashland Theological Seminary, the institutions of higher education founded by Brethren Church. We also have sister churches in India, Malaysia, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Peru, Mexico, Spain, Canada, and Paraguay. The South American Theological Seminary is our new seminary in Argentina. Brethren Church in Florida has four churches. Besides this Sarasota church, we have two Spanish-speaking churches ( La Iglesia de los Hermanos ), one in Sarasota and one in Bradenton, and the Crossroads Community Church in Bradenton.