Carl Dixon is the Senior Pastor of Calvary Chapel of Sarasota which began with 35 people after Carl and his wife Valerie had been approached by a few people to start a church there. There was immediate growth and the church moved location due to a lack of space. During this time Pastor Carl and his wife had to return to their homeland in Canada to secure permanent visas to live in the US. Once they returned there were another couple of moves until the church settled in the building they now have today.

Though originally called Agape Christian Fellowship, Pastor Carl came into contact with Pastor Chuck Smith at a Pastor's conference, the result of which led the church to join with the Calvary Chapel Movement.