Prince of Peace Lutheran Church and Preschool sits at one of east Orlando's busiest intersections, 1515 S. Semoran Blvd. at Curry Ford Road, where a congregation that began in a converted military barracks in 1957 now fills a campus of more than 40,000 square feet. Prince of Peace is known across the region for three Sunday worship services held in English and Spanish, a Lutheran preschool and child development center, a monthly food pantry that supplies groceries to more than 300 Orange County families, and free citizenship and English classes that welcome neighbors preparing for the naturalization test. The motto printed at the top of its homepage - “the heart, hands, and feet of Jesus in the heart of Orlando” - sums up the congregation's identity as a multicultural Lutheran body serving a wide swath of the city.
Sunday Worship in Three Languages of the Heart
Three Sunday worship services share one campus. All three celebrate Holy Communion, and all three are livestreamed for those at home.
- Traditional, 9:00 a.m., Sanctuary. Time-honored hymns, classical Lutheran liturgy, and a thought-provoking sermon connect worshipers to the church's historical roots while addressing contemporary life.
- Contemporary, 11:00 a.m., Family Life Center. Modern worship songs and relevant teaching create a spirited, engaging atmosphere. The Parish Choir does not sing at this service; instead, the Worship Team leads with vocals and instruments.
- Príncipe de Paz (Spanish), 11:00 a.m., Sanctuary. Led by Associate Pastor Adolfo Borges, Príncipe de Paz blends traditional liturgy with the lively rhythms of a full band. Worship is en español and includes a Kids Church time after the Children's Message.
A Children's Message is offered at every Sunday service. Each service also includes a Children's Message led by a staff member who uses an object lesson or crafted discussion to help young worshipers engage with the readings of the day.
Formation Hour Between Services
From 10:00 to 10:50 a.m., the campus opens for Christian education and fellowship.
- Kingdom Quest Sunday School serves children from age 4 through fifth grade with a Bible overview curriculum that uses crafts, games, and creative storytelling. Children move to classrooms just off the Family Life Center.
- Youth Bible Class: Friendship & Faith meets for middle and high school students in two settings: middle schoolers gather in the Conference Room in the Church Office under the leadership of John and Kristen Buchbach, while high school students meet at a nearby McDonald's with Director of Family & Youth Ministry Eric Gerken. Conversation is lively and applied to the modern teen experience.
- Adult Bible Class meets in the Music Room with Jim Essig leading. Coffee and sweets are welcome in the room. The class has worked through Mark, Acts, Luke, Galatians, Ephesians, 1 Corinthians, and the Gospel of John, and is currently studying the book of Daniel.
Wednesday Mornings in the Board Room
Pastor Ken Green leads a midweek Adult Bible Class on Wednesdays from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. in the Board Room. Midweek worship is added during the seasons of Advent and Lent, when Wednesday services follow the theme of the season.
Príncipe de Paz: A Hispanic Congregation Within the Church
Prince of Peace is also Príncipe de Paz. The Spanish-speaking congregation was planted and grown by Associate Pastor Adolfo Borges, a Nicaraguan-born theologian who graduated from seminary in Guatemala City in 1990 and has served churches in Costa Rica and Guatemala before joining Prince of Peace in 2005. He and his wife, Deaconess Ligia Morales-Borges, a Wesleyan minister whom he met in seminary, lead Príncipe de Paz together. Worship at 11:00 a.m. on Sundays integrates traditional Lutheran liturgy with the lively rhythms of a full band and a Children's Church time.
What the Church Believes
Prince of Peace teaches the historic Christian faith from a Lutheran perspective. The congregation professes belief in one eternal God who exists in three co-equal Persons - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - and who created all things. Members confess that Jesus Christ is the only One who can restore people to God, and they hold to His virgin birth, sinless life, miracles, crucifixion for sin, and glorious resurrection.
The Bible is taught as the authoritative, accurate Word of God, spoken and written by holy people moved by the Holy Spirit. Salvation is described as an unmerited gift received by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, not earned by human effort. Holy Communion is celebrated as the true body and blood of Christ under the bread and wine, instituted by Christ for the forgiveness of sins. Baptism is taught as a life-giving washing that works forgiveness, rescues from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe.
Human beings are described as uniquely created in the image of God, every person possessing dignity and worthy of Christian love. The local church is understood as essential: a community where believers meet regularly for fellowship, prayer, and the breaking of bread.
A Story That Began in a Military Barracks
Prince of Peace began in 1957 in a humble repurposed barracks at the corner of what was then Lake Barton Road (now Semoran Boulevard) and Curry Ford Road. The congregation was officially established in 1958 as part of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod under the leadership of founding Pastor Henry Abrams, who guided the church from 1957 to 1979.
Four other senior pastors have shaped the congregation since then: David Ludwig (1979 to 1996), Jim Wiebel (1996 to 2006), and Phil Vance (2006 to 2012). Since November 2013, Rev. Ken Green has led the congregation. Born and raised in Indiana, Pastor Ken studied in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and St. Louis, Missouri. He served in Stuart, Florida (1992 to 1993), Delray Beach, Florida (1994 to 2003), and Springfield, Virginia (2003 to 2013) before his call to Orlando. He and his wife, Peg, have been married for more than 33 years and have five children - two boys and three girls. Members affectionately call him “PK.”
The Hispanic ministry has its own history. Pastor Adolfo Borges joined Prince of Peace in 2005 and has spent more than two decades building Príncipe de Paz into a thriving second congregation within the same walls. The campus now includes the Sanctuary, the Family Life Center, and the Bickel Building, where the food pantry operates.
PoP Kids: Children's Ministry From Nursery Through Fifth Grade
Children's ministry at Prince of Peace is branded as PoP Kids, a name that encompasses nursery care, Sunday School, Children's Message, Baptism preparation, and a monthly PoP Kids Club.
Nursery Ministry. A volunteer-supervised nursery is offered during the 11:00 a.m. services for children from 6 months through 5 years old. The 9:00 a.m. nursery is unstaffed but open for parents to supervise their own children while watching the livestream.
Sunday School: Kingdom Quest. Volunteer-led Sunday School runs from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. for children ages 4 through fifth grade. The Kingdom Quest curriculum teaches the core stories of the Bible and helps children see why those stories matter today. Annual registration helps staff maintain a safe environment and get to know each child as a unique child of God.
PoP Kids Club. Monthly PoP Kids Club activities are planned so families can play and interact. Each registered child receives a free PoP Kids Club T-shirt. Recent events have included a Family Community Service Project assembling care packages for homebound members, the annual Trunk-or-Treat, and a Holiday Craft and Decoration Party.
Vacation Bible Camp. VBC is held annually under a different theme each year. The most recent week, themed “Rainforest Falls,” drew 114 children and more than 50 volunteers. Campers explored the Psalms and learned five key aspects of God's nature: God is Creator, God Knows Everything, God is our Safe Place, God is Love, and God is Forever. Children also raised more than $875 for a missionary stationed in the rainforests of Belize.
Baptism. Parents interested in baptizing a child can fill out a Baptism Interest Form. The church teaches that Baptism is a life-giving washing of the new birth that works the forgiveness of sins.
PoP Youth: Middle and High School Ministry
PoP Youth is the intentional ministry for students in sixth through twelfth grade. Youth grow in faith through fellowship, educational opportunities, and service. The ministry shares Jesus with peers and teaches students to follow Him for a lifetime.
Sunday Bible classes meet at 10:00 a.m. Middle schoolers gather in the Conference Room under John and Kristen Buchbach; high schoolers meet at McDonald's with Eric Gerken around a large table, where they often grab a drink or some breakfast. Both classes apply Scripture to daily life, and high school discussions sometimes expand on the morning's church lessons or bring current events into conversation.
Sunday evening Youth Nights rotate between high school only and mixed middle and high school gatherings, with active games, quiet discussion, and student-led activities. Special events on the calendar have included laser tag set up on the church campus.
Youth Spirit Night. On the second Tuesday of each month from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., PoP Youth heads to Broadway Ristorante & Pizzeria at 1700 Woolco Way in Orlando. The restaurant donates a percentage of each sale to the youth ministry when guests mention Prince of Peace Youth. Tuesdays are also Trivia Night at Broadway, which adds an extra layer of fun for diners.
Senior Adult Ministry
Senior adults at Prince of Peace are served by Director Jim Essig. The Sunday morning Bible class for adults of all ages meets in the Music Room at 10:00 a.m., and the Senior Adult Ministry sponsors Lunch & Zilch, a social gathering held every other month in the Family Life Center. Zilch is a dice game that requires a bit of strategy and produces a lot of laughs. Kathy McCartin provides the lunches.
Jim Essig also visits shut-ins and hospital patients, brings Holy Communion to those unable to attend in person, and helps members arrange transportation or relocate to improved living situations. Members seeking a visit can call or text Jim directly or contact the church office.
The Food Pantry: 300 Families Each Month
The Prince of Peace Food Pantry operates from the Bickel Building on the east side of the church property, with the entrance off Curry Ford Road. Once a month, typically on the fourth Saturday, the pantry provides groceries to more than 300 families from across Orange County. Families receive portions sized to the number of people in the household. No appointment is necessary.
Distribution runs from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Volunteers unload trucks, pack groceries, run to grocery stores, register families, set up and clean up, and pray with recipients. Healthy adults interested in helping are asked to be at the church by 7:30 a.m. and park on the McDonald's side of the campus.
The pantry's partnership with the federal food assistance program is reflected in its published non-discrimination statement: services are provided without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.
The Compassion Project: Walking Alongside Neighbors Experiencing Homelessness
The Compassion Project began in 2017 as a hand-to-hand ministry to people experiencing homelessness in Orlando. Comfort bags were distributed at Christmastime. After the pandemic, the project shifted away from direct street ministry and toward supporting local agencies - primarily the Samaritan Resource Center - where people receive counseling, medical care, food, and showers.
Today, the project collects needed items year-round at a collection site in the church office hallway. Current needs include backpacks, sleeping bags, tents, travel-size hygiene products, men's clothing in sizes 28 to 34, men's tennis shoes sizes 10 to 18, men's boxer briefs, men's hoodies, ponchos, women's small underwear, batteries, cases of bottled water, disposable bowls, zip bags, pillows, blankets, reading glasses (1.75 and 2.25), and umbrellas. Financial donations may be designated for the Compassion Project through the church's online giving portal.
Citizenship Classes and ESOL: Learning English, Becoming Citizens
Prince of Peace offers two free or low-cost programs to help neighbors integrate into the community.
Free Citizenship Classes prepare students for the U.S. citizenship test. Classes meet on Fridays from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. for nine weeks and are taught in English. Space is limited, and registration is required. Bilingual information about the program is available.
ESOL - Clases de Inglés is a fee-based English program for adults 18 and over. The beginner course meets Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. The second-level course meets Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Tuition is $250, which includes textbooks and 14 weeks of class. Reimbursement is available only within the first two weeks. Classes are not offered in the morning. Registration is open online or at the church office.
Angel Ministry and LWML: Hands That Craft and Mite Boxes That Pray
Angel Ministry (also known as the Prayer Shawl Ministry) is a group of 13 crafters who knit, crochet, and sew items that are blessed by the maker and given to people in need of prayer and comfort. The ministry formed at Prince of Peace in March 2006 with four ladies and one shawl. A signature project in 2009 produced more than 200 pillowcase dresses for children in South Africa, Cuba, Haiti, Costa Rica, and Illinois. Today, Angel creations are delivered to Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies, Arnold Palmer Children's Hospital, Hubbard House, and Harbor House. The group welcomes new volunteers.
LWML (Lutheran Women's Missionary League) is an official auxiliary of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. At Prince of Peace, the women fund missions through mite boxes: small containers where members drop loose change and pray that the Lord will multiply the gift to support missions throughout the world. Mite box contributions are collected the third Sunday of each month. The women meet at the church from September through May on the third Wednesday of each month from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Music and Production: The Sound of Worship
Music is central to worship at Prince of Peace, and three groups serve the congregation.
Parish Choir adds special music to the Sunday Traditional service from September through May. Anthems are sung a cappella or with instrumental accompaniment. The choir rehearses on Thursday evenings at 7:00 p.m. in the Music Room. New voices are always welcome. The choir welcomes sopranos, altos, tenors, and basses, as well as piano and organ accompanists and a music librarian.
Worship Team leads music at the 11:00 a.m. Contemporary service. The team of instrumentalists, vocalists, and Christ-centered leaders facilitates the service with vocals, instruments, stage presence, and leadership.
Production Team ensures the audio and visuals in all services are seamless. The team streams every service live into the homes of those who cannot attend in person. Volunteers serve in livestream, lyrics and worship projection, and sound.
Hospitality and the First Hello
Hospitality volunteers greet worshipers and help create the impression that everyone is part of the family. The team serves on an every-other-week rotation, with shifts just before and just after a chosen service - and volunteers do not miss the worship service. The team is a natural fit for newcomers who want to plug in quickly.
Accessibility and Livestream
Both worship venues - the Sanctuary and the Family Life Center - are wheelchair accessible. Both venues also provide hearing assistance: visitors with a T-Coil setting on their hearing aids can connect directly, and portable hearing devices are available upon request for those without a T-Coil setting.
All three Sunday services are livestreamed, allowing worshipers at home to participate in real time. Visitors who fill out the online connection form can request prayer, ask questions, and sign up to receive e-news.
Prince of Peace Lutheran Preschool and Child Development Center
The preschool shares the campus and operates under the same Lutheran mission. The center is licensed by the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF License #C09OR0317) and admits students of any race, color, national, or ethnic origin.
Classrooms are organized by age:
- Infants - 3-day or 5-day care, 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- Toddlers (age 1 by September 1) - 3-day or 5-day care, 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- 2-Year-Olds (age 2 by September 1) - 3-day or 5-day care, 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- 3-Year-Olds (age 3 by September 1) - 3-day or 5-day care, 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- V.P.K. (age 4 by September 1) - 5-day care, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., with wrap-around care available 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
The school's philosophy centers on creating a Christian environment that is safe, loving, and nurturing, where all children can grow and learn equally. The program teaches Biblical values, provides positive and developmentally appropriate experiences, and builds self-esteem with Christ at the center of all activity. The center's stated mission is to provide a safe and nurturing Christian environment where all children can learn, play, and feel secure. Play is the primary teaching method.
Enrollment is open year-round on a first-come, first-served basis, and space is limited. The preschool and church family gather each fall for the Preschool & Church Thanksgiving Feast, a shared meal of gratitude and connection.
Giving
Tithes and offerings support the ministries of Prince of Peace. Members and visitors may give in several ways.
- Cash or check at any weekly service, using the offering envelopes available at the doors.
- Online giving through Breeze, with credit card, debit card, ACH transfer, or scheduled recurring donations.
- Text-to-give by texting an amount to 407.543.1011, with keywords for the Concert Series, Food Pantry, Pastors' Discretionary Fund, or Youth & Family Ministry.
- Automatic Bill Pay through a personal bank, which routes 100% of the gift to the church without credit-card processing fees.
- LCEF Special Interest for investors with LCEF who direct a portion of their interest to Prince of Peace.
- Thrivent Choice Dollars for eligible Thrivent members.
- IRA Qualified Charitable Distributions for members 70 and a half or older.
Visitors Welcome at the Pastors' Reception
Anyone new to Prince of Peace is invited to a Pastors' Reception, where Senior Pastor Ken Green, Associate Pastor Adolfo Borges, and ministry leaders share how the church works and how newcomers can get involved, become more engaged, or become members. RSVPs go to staff@poporlando.com.
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church and Preschool is located at 1515 S. Semoran Blvd., Orlando, FL 32807. The church office can be reached at 407.277.3945 or info@poporlando.com.