In the beginning, God created Florida and all of its rivers and beaches and God said that it was good. Next, God created a very special beach where cars could drive and even race. And God created hotels and restaurants so tourists would come and spend their money and this was very good. Along that special beach were some cities – Daytona Beach, Ormond Beach, Daytona Beach Shores, Ponce Inlet, Wilber by the Sea… and a sleepy little town known as Port Orange.
Most of the other towns had Presbyterian Churches where people could worship, but not Port Orange. The other Presbyterians knew that this sleepy little city was ready to explode with growth and activity. Someone was even building a new neighborhood where people could fly-in and park their airplanes at their houses. All these new people were going to need to know about Jesus and his love. So, in 1983, God created Port Orange Presbyterian Church. This was back in the days of the horse and buggy, out in the country with cow pastures and dirt roads. Ok, so some folks had pickup trucks, and Clyde Morris was not a dirt road, but it was only 2 lanes. Rev. Richard Hills was a called as the organizing pastor, and he worked tirelessly getting to know people and inviting them to church. The church grew and prospered and God saw that it was good.
Over the ensuing 28 years, Port Orange Presbyterian Church, “POPC” as it is known, has sought to reach out and serve this beautiful city by the sea. Joining hands with the members of Riverside Presbyterian Church, we were able to acquire more property and plan for a full church campus that is designed to serve people of all ages and backgrounds, helping people to grow closer to God and closer to each other. We are now engaged and in the process of visioning and discernment, believing that God is calling us to be a missional people, where each person has a place of service and is engaged in a process of spiritual growth. As we look forward, we hope that God will continue to look down upon us and say that it is good.