Report from the April 2026 Stated Meeting
The Central Florida Presbytery met on April 21, 2026 at St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church in Orlando.
Particularizations
Commissions reported that Lakeside Covenant Church (Mt. Dora) and Grace Presbyterian Church (The Villages) were particularized.
New Mission Churches
Presbytery approved the request of St. Paul's Presbyterian Church to establish "Christ the King Presbyterian Church" as a mission church (BCO 5-2.a.ii.), to be located in the greater Longwood area of northeast Orlando, FL, as a daughter church of St. Paul's Presbyterian Church of Orlando, FL. The temporary system of government (BCO 5-3.b.) shall be the Session of St. Paul's Presbyterian Church, with Assistant Pastor for Church Planting TE John Cherne serving as church planting pastor (BCO 5-4.).
Presbytery approved the establishment of the "Brazilian Church Plant" as a mission church (BCO 5-2.a.ii.), to be located in the Winter Garden area of greater Orlando, FL, as a daughter church of Covenant Church of Palm Bay, FL. The temporary system of government (BCO 5-3.b.) shall be the Session of Covenant Church, with TE Felipe Telles serving as church planting pastor (BCO 5-4.), pending his ordination by CFP.
Changes of Call
Presbytery approved the following changes of call:
TE Scott Hunt — from Assistant Pastor to Associate Pastor at St. Paul's Presbyterian Church
TE Robert Rothwell — from Out of Bounds (Ligonier Ministries) to Assistant Pastor at New Hope Presbyterian Church (Eustis)
General Assembly Committee Nominees
Presbytery approved the following nominees to serve on GA committees of commissioners, with the Administrative Committee vested with the power of commission to fill remaining positions as persons become available:
Administrative — RE Robert Mattes (Northside)
CDM — TE Matt Matulia (Lakeside Covenant)
Covenant College — RE Don Van Byssum (Faith Brooksville)
Interchurch Relations — TE Kevin Gardner (Out of Bounds, Ligonier Ministries)
MNA — TE David Senters (Faith Brooksville)
MTW — RE Chris Combs (Faith Brooksville)
Ridge Haven — TE Coleman Woody (Northside)
Candidates for the Gospel Ministry
Presbytery heard the testimonies of Bryan Counts (Christ United Fellowship), Marty Phillips (Willow Creek), and Tyler Skywalker (St. Paul's) regarding their experiential religion and motives for seeking the ministry. Each was received as a Candidate for the Gospel Ministry, and their internships were established.
Ordination
Presbytery approved Felipe Telles Ferreira for ordination according to the terms of the call from Covenant Church of Palm Bay to serve as Assistant Pastor and plant the Brazilian Church.
