LAKEWOOD RANCH - A crowd approaching 2,000 attended the first service of Faith Life Church in Lakewood Ranch Sunday.

The Rev. Keith Moore and his wife, Phyllis, whose successful mega-church Faith Life Church in Branson, Mo. is now termed "Lakewood Ranch's big sister," seemed to think of every detail prior to Sunday's 10 a.m. first service.

Roughly 20 volunteers directed traffic into the parking lot of the $11 million church.

The bathrooms were elegant and reminded one of a Country Club, but few Country Clubs are as spacious, proof that the Moores feel confident that the 2,500 seat church will be completely filled at some point.

Many in the audience were from out of town.

People said they were from Miami, Pensacola, Fort Myers and Coral Gables. They also came from Virginia and North Carolina.

It seemed most had been followers of the Moores for a long time via Internet on their home computers or television or, from traveling to Branson and, for them, this was a once in a lifetime event.

"I thought it was beautiful, awesome," said Marshalla Thompson, who, with her husband, George, and children, Sky and Marshall, drove from Milton, near Pensacola, Saturday morning and stayed overnight at Days Inn in Bradenton, all to be in Lakewood Ranch for the first service.

"I like Pastor Moore's presentation," George Thompson said. "I like how he expounds on the Word. He helps me to understand. I really think he has a gift, an annointing, that makes him a terrific teacher."

Moore didn't disappoint his congregation, revealing the boldness and confidence he is known for and has developed in more than 30 years of church work.

"People ask us why we came to Sarasota," he told the crowd. "I tell them, 'Why not?"

After the laughter subsided, Moore continued, "God led us here. That is the simple truth."

Moore also said that he had read or heard some hurtful things about his church's coming to Lakewood Ranch.

"Some said, 'We have enough churches here, why do we need you?" Moore said. My reply was, "I wouldn't want to be the only church in a town and take responsibility for all of those souls. The more churches the better. We can all work together to help people find God."

Moore told the congregation that some criticize him for his prosperity.

"We're used to it," Moore said. "There are a lot of crooks in every business. You will have to decide for yourself."

In future services, Moore promised to break down all the church's finances for the membership, to show where all the money goes.

"You will see how much Phyllis and myself get," Moore said.

Finally, Moore's first sermon, entitled, "Is God Real?" was, in itself, a bold start.

He said some things in the sermon that other pastors probably think about saying but perhaps don't want to approach.

"If I was on my death-bed, breathing my last, and I found out that God wasn't real, what would I think?" he asked himself out-loud. "Well, I wouldn't think, 'Darn, I could have lived a selfish, self-centered life.' No, I would still be glad with the way I lived."

In September, the Herald reported that the church had spent millions buy the 82,000-square-foot facility formerly used by Teleflex in Lakewood Ranch Corporate Park and an equestrian estate at Sarasota Polo Club.

Faith Life Church paid $6.4 million for the properties, according to the Sarasota County Property Appraiser’s website.

The church spent additional millions of dollars renovating and converting the former warehouse space.

For more, see Monday's Herald.