Orlando RPC

Location: Orlando, Fla.

Presbytery: Great Lakes–Gulf

Organization: Dec. 2, 1920

Membership: 36 communicant; 17 baptized

Pastor: David Smith

Our History

In fall 1916, when the Lord led J. C. McKnight and his family of four from Olathe, Kan., to Orlando, Fla., they did not know He was calling them to plant a church. They came so that his daughter, Ada, might attend Rollins College. But having come and tried other churches in the area and having felt the need to express Covenanter convictions south of the Mason-Dixon line, McKnight began to invite others through the church publication, The Christian Nation, to come and see the location, feel the warm climate, and appreciate the agricultural and business opportunities in Orlando.

Though some were “snow birds,” many others came and stayed year round in response to McKnight’s invitation. On Dec. 2, 1920, the church was officially organized with 49 charter members. Today, 13 of the resident active members can trace blood lines back to these charter members.

Our Ministries

For 25 years, the church has hosted a very popular rummage sale on the first Friday and Saturday in November, drawing many from the community into the church’s building.

In lieu of summer vacation Bible school, members open their homes to host a “Stepping Stones” Bible school event. About 10 of these events take place over the summer. Each includes a themed Bible lesson, a craft, and recreation. The events have attracted a number of neighborhood children from outside the church.

Monthly, the Women’s Missionary Fellowship sponsors a missions night where the congregation is brought up to date on the needs and progress of select missionaries and their work. Prayer and financial support is offered for the missionaries, and a fellowship meal, often in the cuisine of that mission field, is enjoyed by all.

Weekly, a number of Bible studies fill the homes of members. A well-attended Tuesday morning Bible study takes place at the church building.

This year, the church hosted their first Christmas vacation Bible school Dec. 19-21 with the help of RP short-term missionaries.

Prayer Requests

1. Pray for followup on contacts made during the Christmas vacation Bible school, that the community might be reached with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

2. Pray that through upcoming scheduled repairs and renovations, the water intrusion problems in the church building would be fixed and the building re-beautified.

3. Pray that issues of membership numbers would not distract the church from their one goal of honoring God through Jesus Christ.