our story

In January of 2016 the Lord spoke to Pastor David Vannoy through the life of Jacob. He said, "Arise, and return to your Bethel" (Genesis 35:1). Bethel means "house of God/house of blessing." As an application, it meant for him to return to his place of blessing. For Pastor Vannoy, his place of ministry blessing was Flagler County, Florida, where he and his wife had served for eighteen years. After months of praying and waiting, the Lord opened the door to return to Florida in October of 2016. 

As part of seeking God's will for the next steps, he asked a few prayers warriors to join him and his wife in prayer. After several prayer meetings and much time of personal prayer, it became clear that the direction was to start a new work and gather the scattered sheep. The Lord spoke again from Ezekiel 14:22 and said that He [God] would call forth a remnant of people, both sons and daughters, and that they would be a blessing. 

God gave a vision and a name for the church, and we incorporated on December 1, 2016. Our first services were prayer meetings as the group of intercessors expanded and more prayer warriors came together, seeking the Lord's guidance and direction. Soon a suitable building was found, and the Lord enabled us to renovate and equip it. The congregation of Refuge Bible Fellowship had our first Sunday morning worship service on January 29, 2017, with sixty-five people in attendance. All of this, from incorporation to the first Sunday morning worship service, took place in fifty-two working days (Nehemiah). This is the Lord's doing and is marvelous in our eyes (Psalm 118:23).