Our journey began in February of 1997 when Pastor Paul Valo met with 34 people from Central Florida about a passion that God had placed in his heart--to start a new church. Orlando didn't really just need another church. Instead, we knew we wanted to create an environment that would be different from anything any of us had ever been a part of before. A place where people who were from various church backgrounds or, even more importantly, no church background would love to attend. On the first Sunday in March of 1997, we weren't sure if anyone would come, but we were going to do what we felt God had put in our hearts. And amazingly, around 70 people filled that little community center on Ferncreek Avenue. Within a few weeks, we outgrew the community center and relocated to "The Plaza Theater" on Bumby Avenue, where we worshipped until November of 2002. At that time we purchased the property which is our current location on South Orange Avenue.
We continued to grow; and in 2005, we started our second morning worship service time. In 2007, we purchased a house and lot directly behind the main facility on Muriel Street which was demolished in November of 2008 to provide additional parking. In April of 2009, we launched our third weekend service time. In October 2009, we purchased another house and lot adjacent to our property. This expansion afforded us more parking as well as an exit to Grant Street.
From the beginning, our desire was to create an environment that you, your family, and friends would love to attend, a place where you would feel loved and welcome. And it's working! Many people who had given up on church have found this to be the kind of place they actually enjoy...and now they freely tell their friends and family , "You're Gonna Love This Church!"