FROM HUMBLE BEGINNINGS – JOHN & DIANA STEMEN
1964 – 1965
John and Diana Stemen are living a peaceful, content life in Elida, Ohio, in the house they built together. Both were members of the Mennonite church, and they have a six-month-old daughter, Susan. At this point, John is not at all aware of the significant spiritual changes that will come.
Edna Golden, Diana’s mother, begins working for Gladys Dauch and, through her, is introduced to the teachings of William Branham, a prophet whose ministry is marked by signs and wonders. Edna’s life is dramatically changed by these teachings.
Diana, influenced by her mother’s transformation, begins to inquire into the teachings of William Branham. Eventually, she is convinced by the Message of baptism in the Name of Jesus Christ, as described in Acts 2:38.
Diana’s decision to be baptized in Jesus’ Name marks a significant turning point in her faith, but it causes tension with her husband, John. Her decision begins to strain their relationship as John remains firmly entrenched in Mennonite teachings, and he is opposed to the doctrine Diana has embraced.
Over time, Diana’s commitment to the truth of the message becomes evident, but it leads to ongoing persecution from John, his family, and the wider Mennonite community. Diana faces personal sacrifice, including being forced to temporarily leave the family home and her daughter, as John demands she separate from her faith.
1965 -1966
John sells their home in Elida, Ohio and moves the family to San Bernardino Mountain, California in an attempt to separate Diana from The Message preached and taught by Bro. Branham. It wasn’t until the passing of William Branham in December of 1965 that John felt it was ok to move his family back to Ohio with the hopes that everything would fall apart now that the prophet had passed off the scene.
1967-1969
Desperate to remove Diana from the influence of what he considers a false doctrine, John moves the family to Sarasota, Florida. He believes that distancing them from the new religious teachings will free his wife from what he calls a “cult.” During this time, John actively denounces William Branham and his teachings to anyone who will listen. After residing in Sarasota for 3 years, John moves his family back to Elida, Ohio once again.
1970 – 1973
Despite John’s efforts, Diana continues to pursue her faith, teaching her children the truth of The Message whenever she can. She remains steadfast and continually praying for her husband’s heart to be softened. She faces extreme isolation and persecution, as her beliefs continue to put a wedge between her and John, his family, and the wider Mennonite community.
At one point, John throws Diana’s books of transcribed services into the river, a desperate attempt to erase the influence of the Message from her life. Despite this, Diana’s faith grows stronger, and she remains resolute in her belief in the truth of what she has learned.
1974 – 1976
In early 1974 a major turning point occurs when Diana’s brother, Sam Golden, receives the revelation of the Message. Diana, deeply moved by this, feels prompted by the Holy Spirit to ask John to accompany her to Sam’s baptism. The question creates a conflict between them, and John reacts with anger and frustration, even shouting that he wants a divorce. However, Diana is steadfast, and eventually, John agrees to accompany her to the baptism.
In May 1974 during Sam’s baptism, John’s heart is transformed. He witnesses the power of the Holy Spirit and feels the weight of God’s calling. John is baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ, and immediately receives the Holy Spirit. This marks a monumental shift in his life, as he becomes a passionate believer in the teachings he once opposed.
After his conversion, John’s zeal for the truth surpasses his previous opposition. He begins to actively evangelize, often partnering with his brother-in-law Sam. The two of them shared the Gospel and the End Time Message to anyone willing to listen. Their efforts take them to the streets, stores, and intersections, where they witness to strangers, sometimes creating opportunities to talk about their faith with drivers stopped at red lights. John and Sam are bold and persistent, eager to share the truth of the message with others.
John and Diana also engage in small gatherings, playing tapes of Bro. Branham’s sermons and holding prayer meetings at different homes, the YMCA, and in a warehouse that belongs to Tom Brown, Gladys Dauch’s grandson. There is no permanent church building yet, but their ministry is growing. Bro. Ed Byskal comes to visit Tom Brown a few times a year and holds meetings each time he comes. He was the first Message minister that Diana would hear preach.
1977 – 1978
1977: One night, while praying, Diana feels a stirring in her heart—she believes that John is being called to minister. The very same night, John hears a knocking sound and the words, “Feed My Sheep.” A few days later, John hears the same knocking while at work. At that time John recognizes what the voice may be and said “Lord, if that’s You, I’ll do whatever you want me to do.” From that point on the knocking stopped. Both John and Diana feel that this is a clear confirmation of their calling to move and minister in Florida.
After a period of discernment, John and Diana decide to sell their home. Miraculously, a total stranger knocks on their door one day and asks if they are selling their house before it is even on the market. This confirms toJohn & Diana that this is indeed the right decision.
John’s reluctance to move to Pinecraft, a Sarasota neighborhood full of Amish and Mennonite families, is based on painful memories. He has spent years harshly criticizing the faith Diana embraced while living in this area. This is where John denounced The Message just a few years ago. Despite his initial resistance, he eventually agrees that God’s will is guiding them to Pinecraft.
A series of events leads to them finding the perfect house: a property in Pinecraft, just a few hours after it had been vacated. The home is located at 1060 Graber Avenue, right in the heart of the neighborhood that John once sought to avoid. Despite his hesitation, they move into their new home in Pinecraft, trusting that this is where God wants them to serve.
1978 – 1984
John & Diana continue to spread the gospel in the Pinecraft area. Many reject what they heard, but a few receive the Message with open arms. What started with John preaching to his wife and now 5 children, was slowly growing into a small group of believers. One Amish young man in particular, Bill Hershberger, embraced the truth wholeheartedly and later on married Susan, the oldest of the Stemen children.
1985 – 1989
Over the next few years this young flock of believers has regular meetings in various homes to start. As the Lord adds to the group they found it necessary to rent a place that could accommodate them for their regular services. From a warehouse space to the Letter Carrier Building to a storefront on Fruitville Road where, for the first time, they have a space dedicated for worship. The group of believers continues to grow and is now a small congregation. Bro. Danny Stemen and Bro. Bill Hershberger begin to minister alongside Bro. John Stemen.
With the congregation growing steadily there is a realization that they are no longer a few believers gathering in someone’s home or even a small group meeting in a temporary warehouse, but rather a congregation that needs an identity. In 1989 the church was incorporated as “House of Fellowship of Believers.”
The House of Fellowship starts to form as a community of believers, centered on the teachings of William Branham. John and Diana’s ministry is officially birthed in the very place John once sought to avoid. Their obedience to God’s calling and their unwavering faith become the foundation for what would grow into a thriving church and ministry.
1990 – 2002
The call to “Feed My Sheep” is manifested on a daily basis. The congregation grows to about 40 people and becomes too large for the space on Fruitville Road. A different building is acquired on Palmer Road to meet the demands of the growing congregation. This was a time of personal spiritual growth but also a time where the call to “Feed My Sheep” went beyond Pinecraft, Sarasota and even FLorida.
With 3 ministers in the congregation now, Mark 16:15 “Go ye into all the world,” starts to be lived out. House of Fellowship starts sending mission support to countries such as Guyana, Venezuela, India, Czech Republic, South Africa, Poland, Russia and the Philippines.
2003 – 2008
The Lord continues to add to the congregation. House of Fellowship outgrows yet another location and has to move to a storefront location in Northgate Plaza in Sarasota. This location is very suitable for a growing congregation and offers space for a minister’s study, nursery, Sunday School and ample parking due to other businesses in the plaza being closed on Sunday. A library is established where sermons preached by Bro. Branham are duplicated on cassette tape and freely distributed to the believers.
2009 – Present
Acts 2:47, “and the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved,” is being lived out through House of Fellowship. The congregation is doubled in size. Church elders alongside Bro. John spend close to a year searching for a suitable rental property to accommodate the needs of the congregation.
The search for more space leads to a 6.4 acre parcel of undeveloped land in Myakka City just northeast of Sarasota. Work on building design begins immediately taking into consideration the current needs of the congregation while also planning for future growth.
It is during this time that House of Fellowship goes through a tremendous trial as their pastor, Bro. John Stemen, is diagnosed with liver failure thought to be caused by a virus potentially contracted while on the mission field overseas. The believers continually hold Bro. John in prayer before the Lord believing for perfect healing. This does not deter Bro. John from pushing forward with unwavering zeal and selflessness.
April 1, 2009: Bro. John Stemen breaks sod on the future site of House of Fellowship at 23707 SR 70 East, Myakka City, FL. Later that month the entire congregation gathers to pray over and set a dedication stone inscribed with Psalm 127:1 Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it. Some give of their resources, others give of their time as the building is constructed.
Bro. John preaches his first service in the new church building on October 4th, 2009. Official dedication services are held a few months later in December with Bro. Tim Pruitt and Bro. Ron Spencer as guest speakers. House of Fellowship is dedicated to the service of the Lord as a sanctuary for the local believers and a hub from which the Word of God can go “into all the world.”
After celebrating a season of mountaintop experiences, a walk through the valley lies ahead for the congregation. Bro. John is admitted to the hospital and remains in critical condition. His health declines rapidly, but the body of believers remains close with music, prayer and words of encouragement. Bro. John continues to share the love of God with anyone he comes in contact with. The fire that started burning in Bro. John’s heart in 1974 is rapidly becoming a flicker, but his voice shares the hope that lay within until he draws his final breath on March 4, 2010.
The call and the vision possessed by Bro. John presses on with the same zeal and burning desire to spread the Gospel through the Message of the hour as preached and taught by Bro. Branham. The congregation dedicates time to prayer as they seek the mind of the Lord regarding their future pastor. Two months after Bro. John Stemen went to be with the Lord Bro. Danny Stemen is voted in as pastor for House of Fellowship.
The call to “Feed My Sheep” lives on in the lives of those that were, and continue to be, influenced and changed by ministry of John & Diana Stemen.