Church Family,

As we wrap up another year together, we just want to pause and say thank you.

Looking back on 2025, I'm overwhelmed by what God has done in and through our church. Here are but a few numbers that will blow your mind and warm your soul:

GATHER: WORSHIP THROUGH THE WORD

This year, we spent 52 weeks together in God’s Word through FIVE sermon series:

Week after week, we gathered to be reminded of who God is, what He’s done, and how we’re called to live as His people.

GATHER: WORSHIP THROUGH SONG

We sang 134 different songs together—using lips and heart to set our mind's attention and heart's affection upon God.  Here are the top 10 songs we sang (in order of frequency): 

GROUP

One of the things we’re most thankful for is the way community continues to grow. This year we had 21 groups—adult, college, and student—meeting all across Central Florida. Whether on Sundays, Wednesdays, or around kitchen tables during the week, these groups have been places of Bible study, encouragement, prayer, friendship, food, and real life together.

GROW

We also celebrated some incredible moments as a church family:

Every step of faith in Christ modeled the power of the Gospel in the Great Commission—lives being changed by Jesus to become disciple makers in our community.

GIVE

Your generosity has been another huge encouragement:

I will offer specifics in our church gathering this Sunday. But wow - look what God is doing through our church family.  More margin means more ministry. 

GO

Because of that generosity, we’ve been able to support: 

Where might God take us in 2026?  It is going to be exciting. 

Church family, thank you—for showing up, serving faithfully, giving generously, and loving one another well. We’re excited for what God has ahead, and we step into the new year trusting the same faithful God who has carried us this far.

Cheers.

One of my favorite Power House traditions is our end-of-year Lock-In. It’s a time to reflect on the year behind us, to make adjustments for the year ahead, and to realign our hearts with God and His plan for our lives.

No matter what games we play or what passage of Scripture I teach from, one thing always remains the same:
students are given space to honestly reflect on what may be standing in the way of their relationship with God.

After our final session, students write those things down on a piece of paper. Then, one by one, they throw that paper into the fire — a simple but powerful way of saying,

“I don’t want this affecting my relationship with God anymore.”

No one sees what’s written except the student and God. And as the paper burns, they stand in silence, surrounded by friends who are experiencing that same sacred moment.

Throughout Scripture, fire is a symbol of God’s refining work, not destruction for destruction’s sake, but purification and renewal. God often uses fire to remove what does not belong so that what does remain can be made holy (Malachi 3:2–3; 1 Corinthians 3:13). Watching those papers burn is a reminder that God is faithful to burn away the old so He can shape something new.

Afterward, we worship together, spend time talking and praying, and then, of course, make s’mores. It’s about the most perfect way to end the year.

We are incredibly fortunate to have a church located in a place where something like this is possible, isolated enough for 50 students to sit in silence undisturbed, and far enough away that we can be loud at 2:00 AM without bothering anyone. Even more than that, we are blessed to be part of a church that values students deeply enough to make moments like this happen.

Happy New Year to all of you. I encourage you to consider doing something similar in your own life. Take time to reflect on what may be interfering with your relationship with God, and intentionally remove it. May we begin 2026 with deeper trust, clearer purpose, and a closer walk with our Lord and Savior than ever before.

Welcome our new Executive Pastor family, Isaac and Lauren Trevino!

Isaac hails from Alvin, Texas in the Houston area. Raised in a Christian home as a pastor’s kid, Isaac was actively involved in his home church and came to faith in Jesus at a young age.

After graduating from Alvin High School, Isaac attended Baylor University where he studied film and digital media and religion. He then received a master’s degree in Christian Studies from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in North Carolina.

Isaac worked in communications and digital media ministries for Park Cities Baptist Church, Buckner International, and LifePoint Church in the Dallas area. He moved to Orlando to work as the Young Adult Associate Pastor at First Baptist Orlando. Most recently, he has served as a pastor on the Executive Team at Parkway Fellowship in Katy, TX, one of the 100 fastest growing churches in America.

Isaac met Lauren during their time at First Baptist Orlando. They married in 2020 and have 3 children.

Lauren hails from Celebration, Florida and came to believe in Jesus as a young adult. With a background in marketing, Lauren has worked with a number of businesses in the area before joining staff at Cru and then First Baptist Orlando. Lauren is now a full-time mom.

Lauren and Isaac are happy to move back to Central Florida and to serve the wonderful people of First Winter Park.

Isaac will share more of his testimony and bring the WORD on Sunday morning.

We cannot wait to see you back in Sunday School as we start the new year together on 1/4/26. 

New look. 

New fun. 

2026 will be our year. 

Ready to get involved?

2026 is a great year to get involved at First Winter Park.  Groups, serving teams, Bible studies.  Be praying about where God wants you to "fit in" in 202!!

All Creatures Of Our God and King

King of Kings

Holy Forever

Weekly budget goal:  $21,296