The Future of
Horizon West Church

We are praising God for tremendous growth at Horizon West Church over the past 24 months. But as everyone knows, with growth comes new opportunities and new challenges. Please join us in praying for God’s provision of workers – including both staff and volunteers – for the incredible harvest we are seeing.

Pray, too, for God’s vision for Horizon West Church to prevail in the hearts and imaginations of each of us. Along with that clear vision, join us in praying for a compelling move of God in our hearts producing a generous outpouring of giving during our fall vision initiative.

In 2016, God began to birth in the hearts and minds of First Orlando leadership the vision of a second campus located in the heart of Horizon West, one of the fastest growing communities in the nation. Since planting the campus in 2018 – and especially since relocating to Horizon High School in 2021 – we have seen God bless our efforts and reach more and more people with the good news of Jesus.

By having a permanent “home” in the heart of Horizon West, we can secure a place where the good news can be lived and proclaimed to the growing numbers of people moving to our area from all parts of the world. The permanence of a physical church location will ensure that generations of Jesus-followers can continue to hold out the hope of the gospel in our area.

In the fall of 2022, we were able to secure nearly 13 acres of land at the corner of Schofield Rd. and the 429. This property was purchased in cash, without taking on any debt!

The easiest place to see and access the property is driving southbound on the 429. Right at the Schofield Rd. exit you will see (and likely already have) a large trailer with the words “Future Home of Horizon West Church.” That’s us! We want to invite you to pray for the church – and for the soon-coming 60,000 sq. ft. facility that will be located at the property – whenever you drive by.

Horizon West Church will launch an exciting Vision initiative this fall (2024), culminating in a financial offering on Sunday, October 27th. As part of this offering, the congregation – including attenders, volunteers, deacons, and staff – will be invited to respond with both a one-time gift of generosity and also a total amount committed to give over a 34-month period.

The other campuses of First Orlando – including the John Young campus – will have a similar Vision next Spring (2025). Our hope and prayerful expectation is that the enthusiasm our people have for the work of God through First Orlando will be matched by a generous outpouring of God’s people at all of our campuses!

We project all of the campuses of First Orlando having had the opportunity to join in the upcoming Vision initiative by May of 2025. Once that happens, our goal is to immediately break ground on the brand-new Horizon West Church campus at Schofield Rd.

We anticipate accomplishing the building project in two phases. The plans for Phase One include:

• A 750-seat Multi-Purpose Worship Center and Gym
• A two-story KIDS Ministry Center with Classrooms, also Serving as a New Campus of The First Academy throughout the Week
• Parking Lot and Playground
• Shared Office Space and Meeting Spaces

Completion of Phase One is an estimated 14 months from the date we break ground.

The plans for Phase Two include:

• A roughly 1200-seat Worship Center
• Additional Multilevel Building with Classrooms
• Additional Flex Meeting Space
• Additional Play Areas and Parking Lot
• A Cafeteria

Completion of Phase Two will be contingent on the growth of Horizon West Church after moving into our new facility and the need for the additional space afforded by a 1,200-seat Worship Center.

Yes! As stated above, TFA plans to open another campus, creating the opportunity for even more families in West Orange County to experience a vibrant Christian education for their children. The plan is to open enrollment for children from K-4 through 5th grade. While there is no way to know for sure at this time, the earliest date the school would open to new students is August 2026.

We will prayerfully discern the movement of God as to what opportunities arise once we make the move. In the meantime, we are enthusiastically committed to providing the following ministries and programs in the new space:

• Weekend Church Services
• Weekly Kids and Student Programming
• Celebrate Recovery
• ESL Classes
• Christ-Centered Counseling
• Space for Adult Bible Studies and Small Groups

In addition to any ministries and programs we may offer on our church property, we will continue to point our people toward the missional opportunities that exist in their own spheres of influence, including neighborhoods, schools, workplaces, and sports leagues.

You can become a regular financial contributor to Horizon West Church now by clicking the “Give” button on this website. You can also participate by becoming a regular weekend volunteer at one of our two Horizon West Church services on Sunday mornings. Finally, and most importantly, you can join us in praying that God would go before us and that everything we put our hands to would have his hand of favor behind it!