At 4484 N John Young Pkwy in Orlando, Church In The Son is known for freely expressive worship and a network of ministries that welcomes children through adults 55 and older. Its Sunday worship service begins at 10 AM, while discipleship groups, student ministries, local outreach and mission partnerships extend the church's rhythm throughout the week. The church's motto captures the center of that life: Love God. Love People. Affect the World.
From the Rock House to Orlando
Church In The Son grew out of a ministry led by founding pastor Alex Clattenburg. In the 1970s, while working in Orlando's downtown business world, Alex began leading a small group of students from Calvary Assembly. The gathering, called The Rock House, grew from a handful to hundreds. From the late 1970s through the early 1980s, Alex also led Jesus Festivals that drew thousands to a 172-acre pasture near Disney World, where people came to receive Christ and experience transformation.
Alex became lead pastor of Calvary Assembly in 1987 and served there for nearly nine years. Under his leadership, the church grew and constructed a building able to seat 6,000 people for one service. His experiences in business and ministry shaped the freedom and outreach that would define his next congregation.
Church In The Son began on Palm Sunday 1990 at the Orlando Museum of Art, where more than 250 people attended its first service without backing from any organization. The vision was for the Holy Spirit to work freely in people's lives, for worship to be experienced freely, and for people to move beyond traditional formality. Jonathan and Jackie D'Angelo now serve as lead pastors, while Alex and Judith Clattenburg are recognized as founding pastors.
Sunday at 10 AM: A First-Time Guest Is a VIP
Sunday worship takes place at 10 AM at 4484 N John Young Pkwy in Orlando. The church has no dress code: some people wear suits, while others wear jeans and a T-shirt, and guests are invited to wear whatever makes them comfortable. Weekly worship is livestreamed on YouTube, and the welcome for a first-time visitor extends from arrival through the conversation after service.
First-time guests are treated as VIPs. Parking, children's ministry and follow-up are included in the support surrounding a visit. The Welcome Team helps people feel that they belong from arrival until departure, and parking, the Host Team, Info Desk and Translation Team are among the guest-service roles supporting that experience.
In the main lobby, Guest Central offers a place to meet other guests and staff, pick up a guest gift and learn what comes next. Pastor Alex and Judith also meet people after each service. A translation team is part of guest service, and translation service times are available from the lobby concierge.
For those ready to learn about the church and become involved, Roots is the starting point. It is a seven-week class that explains the church's history, beliefs, ministries and opportunities for service while also giving newcomers a place to ask questions.
The tone of a Sunday gathering reflects the church's conviction that worship can be experienced freely and need not be bound by traditional formality. At its center are ordinary people who love God and people, believe God is real and have experienced forgiveness through Jesus. The goal is to bring hope, strength and change to the world one life at a time.
Love God, Love People, Affect the World
The church's vision begins with a daily personal relationship with God marked by obedience. Loving people is expressed through meaningful relationships and serving together in ministry. Affecting the world means giving to, praying for and participating in community projects and world missions. Small groups are central to this community, meeting in homes throughout the city and helping people connect whether they attend a service, class or serve in a ministry.
Church In The Son affirms that God made creation and that the Bible is God's truth for life. It teaches that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the leader of the Church and the source of eternal life. His death and resurrection make forgiveness and freedom available through faith and repentance. The church calls followers to a holy life surrendered to Christ, describes prayer as an open conversation with God and teaches that the baptism of the Holy Spirit empowers believers to witness to Jesus.
Spiritual gifts are given to help others, and healing is provided for every Christ follower through the power of the cross. Healthy, God-honoring relationships and service to others are at the heart of God's purposes. The mission is to help people far from God find new life, make disciples of all nations and look toward Jesus' return and the establishment of his Kingdom on earth.
Kids In The Son: Learning on Their Level
Kids In The Son serves children from newborn through fourth grade during each worship experience. The weekly rhythm combines games, creative Bible teaching and surprises with lessons designed by age. Families are encouraged to return to the same service so children can build relationships with familiar teachers and leaders. Take-home materials and social media recaps give parents ways to continue the conversation about what children learned.
Creative teaching uses themed series and curriculum built around activities, games, object lessons, music and live acting. The aim is not only to tell a Bible story but to help children remember it, understand its value for their lives and apply its truths.
Safety is built into the children's experience. Every volunteer is interviewed and screened with a federal background check, hallways are monitored by security personnel and a child's name tag is matched to a parent-identification number. First-time families have a designated arrival area. After registration, parents check in with a phone number, receive matching name and parent tags, and present the parent tag when collecting the child.
Buddy Break extends that care to children with special needs. Trained volunteers meet VIP kids, including children with physical, cognitive, medical or hidden disabilities, chronic or life-threatening illness, or medically fragile conditions. The monthly Saturday program from 10 AM to 1 PM also gives parents free respite care and connects families with people who can encourage and support them.
The Mix: Wednesday Night Ministry for Students
The Mix Orlando is the student ministry for middle and high school students, described more broadly as reaching students in grades 6 through 12. It meets Wednesdays at 7 PM in the Next Gen Center for worship, small groups and teaching connected to everyday life. Students are also welcomed on Sunday mornings. At a student's first visit, leaders provide a guest card and name tag, then guide students into time to hang out and play before worship, a game and creative teaching.
FaceTime groups are built into The Mix services and also meet around Orlando during the month. Some groups gather on the Church In The Son campus, while others meet at a coffee shop, restaurant or home. These friendships and mentorships give students a place to discuss sermons, share life and grow in relationship with Christ.
Students do not sign up for a FaceTime group in advance. Leaders introduce students to a middle school or high school group leader based on age and grade, then connect them with peers.
Fine Arts is another discipleship tool for students in grades 6 through 12. It is the national competition hosted by the Assemblies of God, designed to help young people discover, develop and use the gifts God has given them while growing spiritually and developing leadership skills.
Young Adults, Men and the 55+ Community
CITS Young Adults serves adults ages 18 to 25. The ministry meets the first Tuesday of each month at 7 PM, beginning with fellowship and food at 6:30 PM. Its gatherings are intended for people who are single, married, in college or working, with an emphasis on truth, purpose and growth in Jesus. A small group also meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 7 PM.
Men In The Son is a weekly discipleship and outreach group for men that meets Thursdays at 7 PM in Room 116. Its rhythm combines prayer, Bible-centered conversation and authentic relationships. The monthly Surge gathering meets on the second Tuesday from 7 to 8 AM in the Next Gen Center, with teaching, discussion, a light breakfast and encouragement before the workday.
Forever Young serves people 55 and older on the second Thursday of each month from noon to 2 PM in Room 116. The gathering includes lunch for $5, fellowship and discipleship.
Roots, Discipleship Groups and Life Together
Roots is a seven-week Sunday class in Room 102 at 9 AM. A new course begins on the first Sunday of every other month, although anyone may join at any week. The lessons give participants a biblical foundation, explain what the church believes and help new believers discover purpose. There is no cost or registration, and Church In The Son asks each person preparing for baptism to attend Roots first. Bibles and questions are welcome; a workbook, pen and light refreshments are provided.
Discipleship Groups meet on the church campus every Wednesday at 7 PM. Each group has 8 to 10 people from varied backgrounds and meets for Bible study, prayer, service and shared life. The gatherings include discussion and devotionals and are designed to deepen connection to God, the Church and personal purpose. Children from birth through fifth grade have a safe place during the gathering, while The Mix continues for middle and high school students.
The broader Small Groups ministry includes men's, women's, married and coed groups that meet throughout greater Orlando in homes, restaurants and coffee shops. Groups meet at different times, including weekly, every two weeks or once a month. They study the Bible, ask questions, share stories, pray, worship and support one another. Childcare is not offered by every group, so families with children can identify a group that includes it or arrange shared care.
For people who want to help lead, the sequence begins with Roots, followed by a volunteer application and group leader registration. Group leaders are encouraged to build personal connection as they make disciples, and each meeting is expected to include prayer, worship and sharing God's word.
Water baptism is practiced by immersion as an outward symbol of an inward commitment to Jesus. The church teaches that baptism does not save or make someone a believer; faith in Jesus does. Children are baptized after they are old enough to express their own decision to follow Jesus. Baby dedication is a separate ceremony for parents who dedicate their child and commit to raising him or her in a Christian home; Roots and parent orientation precede registration.
Local Outreach: Food, Families and Homeless Neighbors
The outreach team meets on select Saturdays at 9 AM in the church prayer room. After a time of prayer, participants receive instructions and travel to the day's destination. This structure supports several forms of neighborhood service, including the Mobile Food Drop, which Church In The Son sponsors with Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida to distribute fresh fruit, vegetables and dry goods directly to the Rosemont community.
At a Mobile Food Drop, outreach volunteers prepare and distribute food with Second Harvest, then serve and minister with people in the community. The partnership combines fresh produce and other nutritious food with the church's Dream Team volunteers.
A community outreach for people without homes takes place on the fourth Saturday of each month. The team meets at Church In The Son at 9 AM for prayer, instructions and the beginning of the outreach. Buddy Break adds another local expression of care by offering children with special needs a monthly morning of learning and respite for their families.
These ministries extend the church's conviction that a local church should serve the needs of people around it. Volunteers can contribute through the Welcome Team, Guest Central, production, worship, children, student ministries, cafe service, the Translation Team and outreach.
From Orlando to Global Mission Work
Church In The Son works with global partners to fight poverty, provide relief and bring freedom to oppressed people. Its missions emphasize that every person on earth matters to God. Mission work can include church and city outreach, worship, prayer, discipleship, leadership development and service teams, with opportunities to participate, give toward a trip or make a Faith Promise commitment.
Global work is a partnership rather than a solo effort, with organizations sharing responsibility for poverty relief, practical support and freedom for oppressed people. The church also offers ways for families and individuals to support these efforts through one-time gifts, recurring contributions and Faith Promise commitments.
Giving is described as changing lives and supporting the work of sharing the Good News. Online giving handles one-time gifts, recurring contributions and giving statements, while text-to-give is available by texting CITS to 386-333-6356. The church teaches that tithing means giving the first 10 percent of one's income back to the local church and describes tithes and offerings as an act of worship.
Pastors, Prayer and a Continuing Story
Lead pastor Jonathan D'Angelo began leading worship in his teenage years, served as executive pastor from 2017 and became lead pastor in 2025. Lead pastor Jackie D'Angelo serves alongside him. Alex and Judith Clattenburg are founding pastors. David and Dawn Taylor and Jeff and Tracy Taylor serve as associate pastors, while PJ and Roxanna Canterbury serve as student pastors. Paula Regino directs the Groups ministry, and Rafael and Kasey Barreras founded the Buddy Break program.
Jonathan first attended Church In The Son in 2005 after nearly 20 years in the insurance and financial industry. His stated passion is God's presence, spiritual growth and generational ministry reaching the community, city and world for Christ.
Prayer is central to the vision and focus of Church In The Son. The pastoral team prays over each request, and people may share a request or keep it anonymous. The prayer ministry describes prayer as a personal and powerful conversation with God rather than a religious task.
The story that began with The Rock House and 250 people in the Orlando Museum of Art continues through worship, discipleship, family ministry, neighborhood service and global mission. At Church In The Son, that continuing story remains centered on loving God, loving people and affecting the world.