It all started when three believers and their families consisting of seven adults and five children met in a house in Orange Tree, a development in Southwest Orlando, Florida. The day was Sunday, October 25, 1987, a bright and beautiful autumn morning in Florida. The families of Brothers Alexander George, his mother Mrs. Mariamma George, and Varughese Abraham drove more than fifty miles from Lakeland to join Bro. Varkey Chacko and his family in Orange Tree. This meeting is inscribed as the first Malayalee Pentecostal gathering in Orlando, the city that hosts Magic Kingdom, and officially known as ‘The City Beautiful.’ The landscape of Orlando was not the same ever since. For those who attended that first Sunday service, the promise of our Lord that “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the midst of them” vividly echoed in their hearts and minds. There was neither an ordained pastor nor much of a routine, but the presence of the Holy Spirit was felt throughout the service. Similar gatherings were held every Sunday in the same house for almost four months. The gathering was then moved in January of 1988 to a rented facility in a nearby nursery school, the Montessori World located on Apopka Vineland Road. About this time, Pastor Joy Abraham, who was living in Lakeland, joined the fellowship.
It was then decided to register the fellowship as a church. The church was registered, as India Pentecostal Church of Central Florida, and was accepted by the State of Florida on February 2, 1988. In addition to Pastor Joy Abraham, the office bearers included Bro. Varkey Chacko as Vice-President, Bro. Alexander George as Secretary, and Bro. Varughese Abraham as Treasurer. The initial term of the office bearers was decided to be for a period of three years. Slowly, but steadily, the church began to grow. Soon after, Bro. Sam George with his family joined the church. Rev. M.V. Chacko of Mundikappally, Kerala, then vice-president of India Pentecostal Church, joined for a Sunday service on March 13, 1988 and during a special service declared the church as an affiliate of India Pentecostal Church. The first convention was held on July 11-12, 1988. Dr. K. Muralidar from Kerala was the main speaker for the convention. Many non-believers from the Central Florida area attended the convention. The anointing of the Holy Spirit was visible in all meetings. This convention surely marked the beginning of a great spiritual growth for the church.
Conventions were held every year thereafter. In early 1989, a suitable church property, a modest four bed-room house with a car-port was identified on Apopka-Vineland Road. The property was located in a well-traveled location in Southwest Orlando, very close to Disney World and other attractions. Although there were only five families at that time, with prayer and faith, negotiations were initiated. Every member contributed very generously for this cause, but the funds raised internally were inadequate to close the deal and each member traveled to different cities and solicited financial support from other neighboring as well as far away churches and friends. Everyone contributed very generously. Services were moved to this new building in early June 1989. A special meeting was held on May 5, 1990, to thank the Lord for His faithfulness in granting us that facility. We used this opportunity also to thank all who have generously contributed in the purchase of this property. During the following years, several modifications were made to the building. The sanctuary was able to seat less than seventy-five worshippers. It also contained a small fellowship area and three small rooms that were used for Sunday school classes.
The year 1991 marked the beginning of a period of growth for the church. Several new members and their families were added. Membership in the Sunday school classes also increased. Many special tarrying meetings, bible classes, and other special meetings were held as the Holy Spirit had given guidance. Further modifications were made to the building to accommodate the additional sanctuary capacity needs and parking facilities were also expanded.
As the church started to grow both spiritually and physically, it also began to show some growing pains. Although the devil tried to take over, the Lord sustained us through the most difficult days. In June of 1993, the church experienced a time of great trial and had to continue without its pastor. During this period, several servants of God helped us with their counsel, continued support, and in ministering from the word of God. Our special thanks go to all of who have helped us in the time of our need, especially, Rev. Jaykar Norman, Rev. P.A. Kurien, Rev. Mathews Itty, and Rev. Thomas George. Also, Rev. Jaykar Norman contributed his time and talents to provide support to the youth of the church over several years.
From the beginning, the church was involved in the community and utilized all possible avenues in spreading the gospel in the neighborhood. In addition to regular Sunday services, Sunday school for the children, cottage meetings, and the PYPA, the church also sponsored jail, hospital, and nursing home visitations, tracts distribution, public meetings and bible classes. Many non-believers came to these meetings on a regular basis. With the help of several members, the church opened a library for the benefit of both the adults and the young people.
Each year the church has also sponsored picnics in local parks and overnight camp meetings. Most of the camp meeting locations were in the state of Florida, but once we had the opportunity to go to Washington D.C. in a chartered bus. These camp meetings were clearly great times of enjoyment, fellowship, and spiritual uplifting for the entire church. Several servants of God also ministered in these camp meetings. In conjunction with the annual conventions, the church also conducted water baptism services. Several of our young people have accepted water baptism in these services.
Pastor Mathews Itty provided pastoral services during 1994-1995 and Pastor Thomas George provided leadership from 1996 through 1998. The church continued to experience steady growth in membership. We celebrated our tenth anniversary of the church in 1997. Special meetings were held in August 1997. Pastor Mathew Samuel from New York conducted bible classes and Pastor P. A. Thomas (Kumbanad) presided over the annual celebration service on Saturday, August 16th, 1997. Evangelist Suresh Babu from Kerala was the featured speaker for special meetings held from August 15-17, 1997, held at the Salem Lutheran Church, Orlando.
Pastor. V. P. Jose took the leadership from January of 1999 through June of 2004. During this period our church experienced further growth in membership and as a result, the church facilities became too crowded. Trusting in God we embarked on a major building project and constructed a new sanctuary space attached to the old building with new audio and video systems. We also received the official zoning approval as a church from Orange County. We moved into our new sanctuary in February 2002.
In June 2004, Late Pastor Dr. John Daniel took charge as our new Pastor and our church experienced further growth both spiritually as well as in membership. We also acquired a 4-bedroom parsonage in the Deerfield sub-division. As the property and facilities located on Apopka Vineland Road was becoming limited, the congregation felt the need to explore the possibility of a spacious church facility. As a result of sacrificial financial contributions of all the members and more importantly with God’s mighty hand, we were able to purchase our current church property located on State Road 535. December 2, 2006 marked a milestone in the history of our church as we conducted our inaugural celebration of our new sanctuary. Our 4.5 acre property located just on the border of Disney property consists of a spacious sanctuary, large fellowship hall, kitchen and several class rooms and storage facilities. Located within our property is also a spacious 4-bed room parsonage as well as a government approved Child Development Center (Day Care facility).
August 20, 2007 was a sad day in the history of our church. The sudden and unexpected death of Pastor John Daniel is still a shocking memory for the entire congregation. The church mourned the home-going of our beloved Pastor John Daniel. Hundreds of saints from all over the world attended the services as our church bid farewell to our dear Pastor Daniel. Pastor James Abraham provided interim pastoral services from September through December of 2007.
December 2007 marked a new beginning and a turning point when Pastor Jacob Mathew took over the leadership as our pastor. Pastor Jacob Mathew and his family have ushered in a new spirit within the congregation. Over the last one year, Pastor Jacob Mathew has reinforced and challenged the congregation to get deep rooted in God’s Word through systematic Bible Study, practical life application of the Word and encouraging the congregation to engage in evangelism and missions. The youth of our church was renewed through practical teaching as well as biblical counseling leading them to victorious Christian living.
Our Sunday service begins with the adult Sunday school at 9:30 AM, where we focus on practical application of Jesus’ Kingdom living insights, which usually lasts about 30-45 minutes. Our Worship Service starts at 10:15 AM each Sunday morning after the Sunday school. This is a very unique service where you can experience the dual cultural touch permeating throughout the service. Our visitors have attested to the joy of experiencing the pure devotion as they joined in spirit and clapping their hands in tune to the rhythm of traditional Indian (Malayalam) and contemporary Christian songs. Music transcends language and culture, especially when it is inspired by the Spirit of God. Our young people lead the gathering to a special time of praise celebration in English and lead the congregation in joyful outpouring of their heartfelt gratitude and praise to their Maker. Praise and worship team always maintain a balance between contemporary worship songs and Hymns from the past.
Word is preached uncompromisingly every Sunday in our church, because we believe, it’s the word that can give life to the soul. Solid word, power packed, soul-searching, heart lifting, burden moving, sin-purging, straight talk from the word is brought by the pastor. Though this is a bi-lingual service, a significant time of the worship is in English and balanced time shared in Indian language, Malayalam for the sake of those who don’t follow English fluently. The Lord’s Supper is conducted every Sunday because we believe the service is all about Jesus, and remembering Him in our assembly. It’s a sight to see people fellowship and network after each service and share fellowship meals many times a year.
Come and worship with us and experience a foretaste of worship in heaven in the beauty of cultural diversity!