Our History

The Orlando Bible Church is the oldest independent church in the Central Florida area and has had three pastors. It has been in existence since 1951 and was organized in January 1952. The interim teacher served for a short period of time and was succeeded by our first pastor, Rev. Hayes K. Minnick. Pastor Minnick served for forty-three faithful years and went into the blessed presence of His Lord and Savior on April 4, 1995.  While he was the pastor, he addressed in writing many of the pertinent issues of our day. We have made some of these valuable discourses available to those who are interested, (see “Issues & Answers” page). Following the homegoing of Pastor Minnick, Rev. James L. Thomas became pastor.  Pastor Thomas had the privilege to assist Pastor Minnick for seventeen years and served as senior pastor until he retired on December 31, 2011. Rev. Scott D. Letzring served under Pastor Thomas for 14 years and became senior pastor in January 2012. By the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Orlando Bible Church strives to continue to glorify our Lord Jesus Christ until He comes through the faithful proclamation of the Gospel, through the equipping of the saints for the ministry, and through earnestly contending for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. The following is a poem that Pastor Minnick loved and quoted quite often.  

BLESSED BE HIS NAME 

I have a Friend whose faithful love
Is more than all the world to me;
Tis higher than the heights above,
And deeper than the soundless sea;
So old, so new, so strong, so true–
Before the earth received its frame
He loved me. Blessed be His name
His was the highest place above,
Adored by all the sons of flame.
Yet, such His self-denying love,
He laid aside His crown, and came
To seek the lost: And at the cost
Of heavenly rank and fame,
He sought me. Blessed be His name!
It was a lonely path trod,
From every human soul apart;
Known only to Himself and God
Was all the grief that filled His heart:
Yet from the track He turned not back
Till, where I lay in want and shame,
He found me. Blessed be His name!
Then dawned at last that day of dread
When, desolate, yet undismayed,
With wearied frame and thorn-crowned head
He, now forsaken and betrayed,
Went up for me to Calvary;
And, dying there in grief and shame,
He saved me. Blessed be His name!
Long as I live my song shall tell
The wonders of His matchless love.
And, when at last I rise to dwell
In the bright home prepared above,
My joy shall be His face to see,
And bowing then with loud acclaim
I’ll praise Him. Blessed be His name! 

-C.A. Tydeman