The Story of Greg Laurie and Lonnie Frisbee

In the authorized biography series Not by Might, Nor by Power, co-authored by Roger Sachs, we get a rare, primary-source look at the “Jesus Revolution” through the eyes of the man who sparked it. Lonnie Frisbee’s account of Greg Laurie’s conversion is more than a historical footnote; it is a story of a “spiritual father” recognizing the latent power in a “spiritual son.”

Dedicated to the Community

The book itself acknowledges the deep community that sustained Lonnie’s story. In the dedication, Lonnie and Roger Sachs specifically honor Charlie Wear, a long-time friend and figure in the Jesus Movement, recognizing his role in preserving the history and heart of this era.

A Foreword by Steve Sjogren

The foreword, written by Steve Sjogren (author and founder of the ServeCoach movement), sets a powerful tone for the biography. Sjogren describes Lonnie as a “forgotten wild heart” who was catalytic in releasing the Holy Spirit. He notes that despite Lonnie’s human imperfections, his willingness to be a vessel for God proved that anyone with a yielded heart could impact a generation.

The Conversion: From Cartoonist to Catalyst

Lonnie vividly recalls meeting a 17-year-old Greg Laurie on the lawn of Newport Harbor High School in 1970. To Lonnie, Greg wasn’t an evangelist yet—he was a talented artist who “drew cartoon booklets.”

• The Divine Appointment: Lonnie describes the moment Greg came forward as a divine “invasion.” While Greg was just looking for a “trip” that didn’t have a comedown, Lonnie saw a future leader.
• The Prophecy: Long before Greg ever preached, Lonnie told him: “The Lord just told me you’re gonna preach to thousands of people around the world.” Lonnie recalls Greg being “dumbfounded,” yet that word of faith would eventually manifest into the Harvest Crusades we see today.

Why This Matters

For those of us following the notes at charliewearsnotes.com or the community at Blu Zone, Lonnie’s story—as framed by friends like Charlie Wear and mentors like Steve Sjogren—reminds us that God uses “cracked vessels.” It wasn’t about Lonnie’s perfection, but about the “electric power” of the Spirit that moved through him to reach others.

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