Archive for June 26th, 2009
Our Staff
The staff at Church of the Highlands has spent many years committed to Christian service. Our staff enjoys serving our community, whether in sharing our faith or just lending a helping hand. If you would like to contact a staff member, please click on the name you wish to contact.
Mike Sehon
Title: Lead Pastor
Areas of Ministry: Leading the Church, Vision Casting, Leadership Development and Teaching.
Who I Am: I am a disciple…
FAVORITES
Book: Bible
Food: Cajun, Italian, Chinese and Mexican
Movie: Lord Of The Rings Trilogy
TV Show: 24, Heroes, Leverage
Music: All but rap and hip hop
Season: Fall
Hobbies: Dreaming and building…
Scripture: Matthew 6:33
Quote: “All men die, only some men truly live.” – William Wallace
“We teach what we know, but we reproduce what we are.” – John Maxwell
Three People I’d Like to Meet: Paul the Apostle, George Washington and Rush Limbaugh
Email: mike@portorangehighlands.org
Where to Find Me: Facebook, Twitter, Typepad
Charlie West
Title: Worship Pastor
Areas of Ministry: Worship Pastor, Animal Trainer
Who I Am: God has called me to be a worship leader! I love to write songs and I have an affinity for australian shepherds and Star Wars toys.
FAVORITES
Book: My Utmost for His Highest, X-Men #94, The Book of Psalms
Food: Japanese, Chinese, Cuban, Greek
Movie: Raising Arizona, Star Wars, The Terminator (honestly anything with time traveling robots and big explosions, I’m not that picky)
TV Show: I love 30 Rock, Family Feud (Richard Dawson era)
Music: hmmm, really? Larry Norman, Cake, Presidents of the USA, Copeland
Season: Endless Summer
Hobbies: Collecting beef jerky packages from all around the world
Scripture: Psalms 71:17
Quote: “Every word I say by definition is a promise” – Marlon Brando in The Freshman
Three People I’d Like to Meet: Mr. T, The Original Flipper, The Brawny Man
Email: charliewest@portorangehighlands.org
Where to Find Me: Facebook, Myspace
Chris Gray
Title: Creative Arts Director
Areas of Ministry: Media, Worship, Taxidermy
Who I Am: My family and I recently moved here from Texas when God called us to be a part of this church. I have a heart for worship and a love for strange t-shirts.
FAVORITES
Book: Mere Christianity, The Hobbit, the Harry Potter series
Food: Mexican, Thai, Japanese
Movie: Bottle Rocket, Star Wars, Waiting for Guffman, The Goonies
TV Show: 30 Rock, Lost, Top Chef
Music: Radiohead, The Beatles, Bob Dylan, David Bazan, Phil Wickham (way too many to name)
Season: Fall
Hobbies: comics, music, cooking, and computers (yes, I know I’m a nerd)
Scripture: Hebrews 12:14
Quote: “Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.” – attributed to St Francis of Assisi
Three People I’d Like to Meet: Steve Jobs, Rick Bayless, President Obama
Email: chrisgray@portorangehighlands.org
Where to Find Me: Facebook, Twitter, Myspace
Shana Ochiuzzo
Title: Ministry Assistant
Areas of Ministry: Assistant to Pastor Mike, Outreach
Who I Am: I am a laid back person with a passion for God, my family, and people!
FAVORITES
Book: The Bible, and most recently, What To Expect When You’re Expecting
Food: Varies moment to moment!
Movie: The Notebook, P.S. I Love You, Hope Floats
TV Show: Fox 35 News, America’s Funniest Home Videos
Music: A little bit of mostly everything
Season: Fall
Hobbies: Time spent with my husband and family, and of course, shopping!!!
Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11
Quote: “Don’t worry about the future, God is already there!”
Three People I’d Like to Meet: Grandpa Pignato and Tim Tebow
Email: churchofthehighlands@yahoo.com
Where to Find Me: Facebook
Toni Sehon
Title: Administrator
Areas of Ministry: Children’s ministry, Women’s ministry, Office management
Who I Am: I am a daughter of the King who is in love with her Savior. I am passionate at whatever I put my hand to do. It’s all or nothing. I love what we do and couldn’t see myself doing anything else.
FAVORITES
Book: Bible by God, Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom, Epic by John Eldredge & most anything else by Eldredge. I also like reading Erwin McManus.
Food: Chocolate & Cajun
Movie: Lord of the Rings Trilogy, Everafter, Ella Enchanted, Pride & Prejudice (I am a woman)
TV Show: Fox News, 24, Heroes, Emeril Green
Music: Worship & classic 70’s rock
Season: Fall
Hobbies: When there is time (What’s that?) I like to quilt & cross stitch.
Scripture: Too many to put them all but here is one – Luke 24:32
Quote: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose” – Jim Elliot
Three People I’d Like to Meet: Corrie Ten Boom, King David, Abraham the Patriarch
Email: toni@portorangehighlands.org
Where to Find Me: Facebook
About Us
Need a Change?
Whether you are seeking or not seeking God, whether you love Christians or hate Christians, whether you like church or hate church, whether you think you are a good person or a bad person, you are welcomed here. Our desire is to help you in your spiritual journey, understand and live out God’s purpose for your life. We’re not focused on the rituals and religion we are more focused on you following Jesus.
At Church of the Highlands, we have a heart like Jesus did for those who are far from God. We love to see people who have dropped out of church get a new start and become reengaged with God. We believe that Christ calls us to be servants and we want to be ’salt and light’ in our community as we are loving, serving, and helping others. We want to saturate a community with new churches so that every person has the opportunity to connect with God and follow Him.
Connect with Us!
We’d love for you to connect with us and attend the worship service at the YMCA located at 4701 City Center Pkwy, Port Orange, FL (click on the link for directions or use the map below). If you have any questions or need help in any way, please feel free to email us at info@portorangehighlands.org. You can also call us at: 386-252-4484. We look forward to seeing you soon.
View YMCA in a larger map
What to Expect
Here is what you can expect when visiting Church of the Highlands:
We are Fun
We think church should not be boring and we don’t take ourselves too seriously! In fact, we think it’s a good idea to laugh…a lot!
We are Relevant
We deal with real issues that people face everyday and give practical Biblical teaching on how to deal with their life situations.
We are Relational
We believe everyone needs good friends – not just acquaintances. There will be plenty of opportunities for you to meet other new people like yourself.
We are Authentic
We are not afraid to admit that we are imperfect. We do our best to help one another so that we can honor God in our lives.
We are Risk Takers
We don’t play it safe. We operate in faith and encourage people to put it on the line for God.
What we Offer
* A high energy, Nickelodeon style children’s Sunday morning service.
* Teen activities and youth group during the week.
* Marriage and parenting seminars and activities for the entire family.
* Small group bible studies that meet in homes.
* Ministry and missions opportunities.
Our Beliefs
About God
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three persons; the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. These three are coequal and are one God.
Genesis 1:1; 26-27; 3:22, Psalm 90:2, Matthew 28:19, I Peter 1:2, 2 Corinthians 13:14
About the Bible
The Bible is God’s Word to us. It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is truth without any mixture of error.
2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:20-21, 2 Timothy 1:13, Psalm 119:105, Proverbs 30:5
About Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is coequal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on the cross. He arose from the dead three days later to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven’s glory and will return again to earth reigning as King of King’s, Lord of Lord’s.
Matthew 1:22,23, Isaiah 9:6, John 1:1-5; 14:10-30, Hebrews 4:14-15, I Corinthians 15:3-4, Romans 1:3,4 Acts 1:9-11, I Timothy 6:14-15, Titus 2:13
About the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is equal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with the power for living, understanding to the spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. The Christian should seek to live under His control on a daily basis.
2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16-17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:18
About human Beings
People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God’s creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, we are marred by and attitude of disobedience toward God called “sin.” This attitude separates people from God.
Genesis 1:27; Psalms 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1-2
About Salvation
Salvation is a gift from God to us but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer to forgiveness, can anyone be saved from sin’s penalty. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith.
Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 14:6, 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1
About Evil
While God will one day do away with all evil, He currently allows evil in the world – which provides mankind a choice. Satan is the source of all evil and will suffer an eternity of separation from God for his choices. (Hell was originally prepared for the devil and his demons.) Evil is present in the world because of mankind’s choice in the Garden of Eden. Because of Jesus, we have the opportunity to choose the goodness of God’s grace over evil. While God could eliminate evil immediately, He endures the grief of waiting to do so in order to give more people the opportunity to come to faith in Him. God is able to cause all things, even the evil in this world, to work together for the good of those who love Him.
Genesis 2:17; Genesis 3:1-24; Romans 3:23; Romans 5:12; Psalm 100:5; John 3:19; Psalm 81:12; Revelation 12:7-9; Revelation 20:10; 1 Corinthians 15:56; Colossians 2:15; 1 John 2:2; 1 Timothy 2:3-4; 2 Peter 3:9; Romans 8:28-29
About Eternity
People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or in unison with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life. Heaven and Hell are places of eternal existence.
About eternal Security
Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the believer is secure in that salvation for all of eternity. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian. It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives us this security.
John 10:29; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25, 10:10-14; 1 Peter 1:3-5
About the Church
The Bible tells us that the church is the body of Christ in the world today. The New Testament tells us the church is a local body of baptized believers. The head of the church is Jesus Christ. The biblical purposes of the church are worship, evangelism, fellowship, discipleship and ministry to others.
Matthew 16:15-19; 18:15-20; Acts 2:41-42,47; 5:11-14; 6:3-6; 13:1-3; 14:23,27; 15:1-30; 16:5; 20:28; Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:2; 3:16; 5:4-5; 7:17; 9:13-14; 12; Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:19-22; 3:8-11,21; 5:22-32; Philippians 1:1; Colossians 1:18; 1 Timothy 2:9-14; 3:1-15; 4:14; Hebrews 11:39-40; 1 Peter 5:1-4; Revelation 2-3; 21:2-3
About the Second Coming of Jesus
God, in His own time and in His own way, will bring the world to its appropriate end. According to His promise, Jesus Christ will return personally and visibly in glory to the earth; the dead will be raised; and Christ will judge all men in righteousness.
