Lonnie Frisbee

Lonnie Frisbee
Frisbee in the 1960s
Born
Lonnie Ray Frisbee

(1949-06-06)June 6, 1949
Costa Mesa, California, U.S.
DiedMarch 12, 1993(1993-03-12) (aged 43)
Orange County, California, U.S.
Occupation(s)Charismatic evangelist and minister
Years active1966–1991
SpouseConnie Bremer (div. 1973)

Lonnie Ray Frisbee (June 6, 1949 – March 12, 1993) was an American Charismatic evangelist in the late 1960s and in the 1970s; he was a self-described "seeing prophet".[1][2] He was known for his hippie appearance.[3][4] He was notable as a minister and evangelist in the Jesus movement.[5][6]

Eyewitness accounts of his ministry, documented in the 2007 documentary Frisbee: The Life and Death of a Hippie Preacher portray Frisbee; he became a charismatic spark igniting the rise of Chuck Smith's Calvary Chapel and the Vineyard Movement. They are two worldwide denominations and among the largest evangelical denominations beginning at that time.[5][7] Reportedly, "he was not one of the hippie preachers, but rather that "there was one—Frisbee".[8][9] His brand of ministry was named power evangelism'. Later he was harshly criticized for his great focus and concentrating heavily on the Holy Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit, often by individuals in the same churches which he co-founded.[10]

Frisbee influenced prophetic evangelists including Jonathan Land, Marc Dupont, Jill Austin and several others.[10] Frisbee co-founded the House of Miracles commune and found many converts. The House of Miracles grew into nineteen communal houses; they later moved to Oregon to form Shiloh Youth Revival Centers, the largest and one of the longest-lasting Jesus People communal groups.

Frisbee had an evangelical ministry while privately socializing as a homosexual man, before and during his evangelism career, although in interviews he said that he never believed homosexuality was anything other than sin in the eyes of God.[5] Both denominations he helped found prohibited homosexual behavior, and he was later excommunicated by the denominations because of his active sexual life. They first removed him from leadership positions, and later fired him.[5] He is portrayed by Jonathan Roumie in the 2023 film Jesus Revolution, which highlights his ministry with Chuck Smith and the impact he had on Greg Laurie's evangelism.[5]

  1. ^ Frisbee, Lonnie. "Lonnie Frisbee ministering at Vineyard Church in Denver, CO; Senior Pastor Tom Stipe". Retrieved May 18, 2007.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference divorce was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Annette Cloutier, Præy To God: A Tasteful Trip Through Faith: Volume One, ISBN 1-4363-1555-7, ISBN 978-1-4363-1555-5, p. 437.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference testimony was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ a b c d e David di Sabatino (2001). Frisbee: The Life and Death of a Hippie Preacher (Documentary movie). United States: David Di Sabatino.
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference The First Jesus Freak orange was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ Glen G. Scorgie, A Little Guide to Christian Spirituality: Three Dimensions of Life with God, Chapter 8-"An Integrated Spirituality", Zondervan, 2009, ISBN 0-310-54000-3, ISBN 978-0-310-54000-7.
  8. ^ Barkonsty. "teaser for the documentary FRISBEE: The Life & Death of a Hippie Preacher". YouTube. Archived from the original on December 12, 2021. Retrieved May 18, 2007.
  9. ^ Coker, Matt (April 14, 2005). "Ears on Their Heads, But They Don't Hear: Spreading the real message of Frisbee". Orange County Weekly. Archived from the original on May 24, 2007. Retrieved October 21, 2007.
  10. ^ a b John Crowder, Miracle workers, reformers and the new mystics, Destiny Image Publishers, 2006, ISBN 0-7684-2350-3, ISBN 978-0-7684-2350-1, pp. 103–6.