St. Luke's Freewill Baptist Church, Inc. was organized in 1915 by Lugenia Clark on the corner of Fourth Street and Texas Avenue.  In 1957, the church was rebuilt in the same location.  In 1977, St. Luke's F.W.B. Church, Inc. moved to this present location.

 

In 1980, St. Luke's was without a pastor.  After much prayer and fasting, God sent his servants, full of Faith, Power, and Deliverance 26 year old Arthur L. Johnson, Sr., along with his lovely, talented wife Sis. Clarise Johnson of Syracuse, New York.  This dynamic team was sent to preach deliverance to a hurting church.  They have four children: Aretha, Alicia, Angela, and Arthur, Jr., and six grandchildren; Reeshay, Imani, Ree’Montae, Ashanti,  Ree’Mari, Ree’Milynn.  Through their ministry, many souls have come to Christ.  Our pastors continue to produce positive role models and community leaders who are saved, sanctified, and filled with the Holy Ghost. 

 

          When Rev. Johnson came to pastor St. Luke, he came with a vision.  A vision of a growing African-American church dedicated to the community and its people.  Pastor Johnson grew increasingly disturbed about the lack of quality Christian education available to African-American families in the Northwest section of Lakeland.

 

 

In 1986, the vision began to become a reality.  St. Luke's Christian Academy & Preschool opened its doors with five students. 130 presently enrolled. The continued growth of this ministry made it necessary for a second pastor.  On July 9, 1995, Sister Clarise Johnson, the pastor's wife, became Pastor Clarise Johnson.  She is a great wonderful spirit filled woman of FAITH, POWER, and DELIVERANCE.  This change caused the ministry to soar to immeasurable heights.  Together our Pastors have established over 20 Outreach Ministries.  On December 14, 1997, the ministry went to yet another level.  The name was changed to St. Luke's Ministries, Inc. St. Lukes Ministries has established itself as beacon of hope to the city of Lakeland, with an informative weekly radio broadcast and the opening of St. Luke's Life Center in 2007. There are great expectations for the future of this great ministry.