In the 20th century there had been an awakening around the world to the tremendous resources of God's healing power that is available to all people, not only through scientific medicine but through believing prayer. Because of this awakening, in the early 1930’s the Rev. John Gayner Banks and his wife Ethel Tulloch Banks shared a dream of organizing all those involved to form a healing ministry fellowship. People of all faiths from around the world were invited to join. The Fellowship of Saint Luke was formed in 1932 in St. Luke’s Church in San Diego, CA. The International Order of St. Luke the Physician, incorporated in the state of California in 1953, is the outgrowth of the Fellowship of Saint Luke.

As the fellowship grew a once a month two-page newsletter was sent to all members. As the membership grew the newsletter was transformed into a magazine. After prayer for guidance, the founding group decided to call the magazine “Sharing.” The first issue of Sharing was mailed in 1937 and the magazine has been in print ever since.

Today the Order of Saint Luke the Physician has over 7500 members in North America, which includes lay people, clergy, and the medical profession. They believe that Christian Healing and competent medical practices are not averse, but complimentary to each other.

From the time of the formation of the Order of St. Luke, those involved have devoted themselves to conducting healing missions at home and abroad, lecturing, teaching and praying for many who were ill in body and soul, and everywhere drawing new members into the healing fellowship. Chapters of the Order have been started in all denominations of churches throughout the world. In the 1970s the OSL leadership sensed the need for better organizational structure and North America was divided into thirteen geographical regions. Each region is headed by a director (see People) and each region has its own annual conference. Once a year there is a North American Conference held in June in a different part of the continent.

Jesus commissioned his followers to "Go into all the world and preach the Good News of the Kingdom of God, and heal the sick." Perhaps more than ever in history, our world today is still torn with sickness and brokenness of bodies and souls. The task before us is far from finished. God's call to you and me is abundantly clear. He awaits our joyful and enthusiastic response. Each one of us has some special healing gift to offer - and the Order of St. Luke is ready to assist us.

Around 1996, OSL was published on the Internet. One of the original webmasters was Karen Beline of KSB & Sons Design, who faithfully maintained the website for some seven years. Orderofstluke.org has undergone appearance changes over those years, with the latest occuring in June 2005, by the new webmaster, Richard Triplett.