Revolution was started in Phoenix, AZ in 1994 by Kelli Miller, Mike Walls and Jay Bakker. These three saw a desperate need within their community for the love of Christ as it was evident that the church was ignoring and even blatantly rejecting a whole subculture of people based on their appearance and lifestyle. Revolution sought to meet this need through having services that featured bands, DJ's, art exhibits, a coffeehouse and guest speakers. They brought in both local and regional touring acts, trying to cater to the interests of the community around them. Each one of the founders had a heart for different types of people within the subculture and would spend time hanging out with them individually, forging true, solid relationships.
Their goal was to include everyone in the community, no matter how diverse their lifestyle. Revolution grew quite fast, and within six months a house was donated to use for their ever-growing events, which now included pot luck dinners, concerts and skateboard ramps in the backyard. People were able to hang out and hear about the hope of Christ on their own terms.
In 1997, Kelli and Jay had an opportunity to expand Revolution, so they decided to move to LA. Their stay only lasted one year, but it was a tremendous learning experience. In 1998 a ministry in Atlanta, GA named Safehouse offered to be Revolution's parent ministry and to give them financial support. Upon moving to Atlanta, the leaders of Revolution had a strong calling to reach out to the people in the Little Five Points community with their message of Christ's unconditional love. Being a part of Safehouse allowed them to have weekly Bible Studies as well as shows at their facilities.
In January of 2002 IF Coffee Shop in Little Five Points offered Revolution their building to use for a Tuesday night Bible Study. Because the coffee shop is located within the community they loved and put their hearts into, Revolution readily accepted the offer.
After working together for five years, Revolution separated from Safehouse Ministries in 2003 and has operated as an independant organization ever since. This proved to be very challenging in the beginning but ultimately helped Jay and the staff to grow in many ways. 2004 brought more changes - most notably with Revolution moving Services to The Masquerade, a local bar and music venue in Atlanta. The interesting part is that The Masquerade actually contacted Revolution and the move. They had heard nothing but good things about Revolution from the kids that attended shows and asked Revolution to move services. September 13 marked the first service with Jay's mom Tammy Faye as the featured speaker.
The impending closure of The Masquerade caused the move to another local bar in East Atlanta called The EARL. The move took place on June 4, 2006. This would only last a few months with Revolution Atlanta moving into their own studio on Krog Street, but the next move wasn't just to another bar - it was to a completely new city, though Revolution Atlanta continues under the leadership of Jay's close friend Stu Damron. After over a year of planning, Jay along with his wife Amanda and longtime friend and staff member Marc Brown moved to New York City to start a new Revolution church.
This however, was not the only new beginning for Revolution. Along the same time, Revolution Charlotte was also born...
While working as assistants to the director of a youth program in a local church, Jonathan and Stephanie met Jay and his wife Amanda. Booking Jay to speak for a "youth crusade" Jonathan and Stephanie had the chance to not only work with Jay, but to get to know he and Amanda, a like-minded couple. Stephanie had to complete an internship to earn her bachelor's degree and was welcomed into the ministry of Revolution. In the summer of 2005 Stephanie and Jonathan became "the interns" taking over Jay's booking and office work for a staff member studying abroad. Those two months would change the two's vision of their own ministry. They became restless working for the youth program after moving back to North Carolina, knowing there was something else they should be doing.
During Jay's visits to North Carolina Stephanie and Jonathan would reguarly meet with him to discuss the progress of Revolution. With these meetings Revolution Charlotte was born. The same needs that the staff of Revolution Arizona saw in community, Jonathan and Stephanie felt called to minister to. With Charlotte being considered Jay's hometown, and the ministry of his parents being based in the city, a branch of Revolution and a need for a message of grace to be spread made perfect sense.
Days after their wedding, Jonathan and Stephanie were ordained by Revolution Church to become the pastors of Revolution Charlotte. With services underway, they hope for acceptance in the Charlotte area, as well as with the current Revolution following.