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At First Orlando, we are entering a new season of leadership.

For generations, churches have looked to a single pastor to carry the weight of vision, teaching, care, and direction. This has been our model here and we’ve seen it bear fruit through our history. In recent years, we’ve sensed the Lord inviting First Orlando to embrace a form of shared leadership that reflects both biblical precedent and the needs of this moment.

In 2024, we announced the idea of shared leadership and the start of a search for a new Senior Pastor whose main responsibilities would be to cultivate the Teaching Ministry. Through these months, the Lord has been gracious and has provided clarity not only on the person for the job, but on the model of ministry that is next for us.

As you’ll see below, God has provided both the model and the man leading First Orlando into a new season through the Table of Three, where David Uth, Danny de Armas, and our new Senior Teaching Pastor Trey Hildebrant will serve together to lead our church forward.

Our Senior Pastors

Senior Shepherding Pastor David Uth

Senior Shepherding Pastor
David Uth

Senior Executive Pastor Danny de Armas

Senior Executive Pastor
Danny de Armas

Senior Teaching Pastor Trey Hildebrant

Senior Teaching Pastor
Trey Hildebrant

Senior Pastor Trey Hildebrant

Born and raised in Georgia, Trey is a third generation pastor and is so grateful for the legacy of a Godly family. Trey has been married to Sarah Hildebrant for almost 13 years, and they have three sons. He began ministry as a student pastor in 2008, and has been working and leading in the church ever since. Most recently, Trey was the Pastor of Ministries at 12Stone Church, a multisite church outside of the Atlanta area, where he has served for almost 11 years. Trey got his theological education at Truett McConnell University with a B.A. in Biblical and Theological Studies and also earned a Masters in Apologetics from Luther Rice Seminary. His greatest passion in life, outside of his wife and boys, is loving and serving the local Church. He also enjoys running, reading, all Atlanta sports, and the Florida State Seminoles!

Welcome Hildebrant Family!

Senior Pastor David Uth

Dr. David Uth has served at First Orlando since 2005. Before moving to Florida, he pastored churches in Louisiana, Arkansas and Texas. David grew up in Arkansas, as the son of a pastor, and at the age of 19 was ordained and began pastoring his first church. He graduated from Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, where he met his wife, Rachel. David then earned his Masters of Divinity and Ph.D. from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Ft. Worth, Texas where he also taught New Testament as an adjunct professor.

Along with serving the churches and communities where he pastored, he has also been honored to serve as the President of the Florida Baptist Convention and Chairman of the International Mission Board of Trustees.

David and Rachel have been married 47 years and have three grown children: Joshua, Hannah (who is engaged to Doug), and Andrew (married to Kayla), and two wonderful grandchildren, Sawyer and Ivy. David enjoys spending time with family, fishing, and hunting.

Senior Pastor Danny de Armas

Danny de Armas has served at First Orlando since 2008. Born to a Cuban father and an American mother, his parents moved their family to Orlando when he was young. They began attending First Orlando and Danny now serves at the same church in which he was raised. He earned a bachelor’s degree from The University of Central Florida, and a Masters of Divinity from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He has pastored at churches in Mississippi and New Port Richey, Florida, and for over 20 years owned a business that managed Christian ministries that served local churches around the country.

Danny also has served on several local and national boards, including the North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability, and Best Christian Workplaces. Danny and his wife, Betsy, have been married for 42 years and live in Oakland. They have three sons: Caleb (married to Cali), Seth (married to Catherine), and Asa (married to Kinsey). They are blessed with 9 grandchildren. In his spare time, Danny enjoys traveling with Betsy, Orlando City Soccer, golf, running, and spending time with his grandkids.

The Story of

A Beautiful Way Forward

Click on the thumbnails below to watch videos.

  • Part 1: Beginnings

    • Part 1: Beginnings

    • Watch Video

  • Part 2: Table of Three

    • Part 2: Table of Three

    • Watch Video

  • Part 3: Commissioning Sunday

    • Part 3: Commissioning Sunday

    • Watch Video

Our Ministry Vision

We are a people becoming:

Growing Followers

One who is on a life-long journey to be more
like Jesus in love, in character, and in mission.

What has God been showing you lately,
and how have you responded?

In what ways are you growing as a
follower of Jesus? Where do you still
need His help?

Empowering Leaders

One who equips others to become and
do what they could never do on their own.

How are you developing your ability to
serve and equip others?

Who are you walking alongside right
now, and how is your support helping
them live and lead more like Jesus?

Generous Friends

One who joyfully invests their time, abilities,
and resources to bless and build up others.

How have you shown generosity with
your time and attention toward family
and friends recently?

How are you learning to trust God with
your finances and your abilities so you
can serve both others and your church?

Relational Influencers

One who shares and lives out the gospel with
everyone, everywhere, every day.

Who in your life is far from God that
you’re intentionally building a
friendship with?

How are you helping them move closer
to God and equipping them to help
others do the same?

One Church

Many Locations

To truly understand how the shared leadership model serves our church and impacts every campus, we must first see the future we’re pursuing: a family of churches across Central Florida. First Orlando is becoming increasingly multisite, multilingual, and multigenerational, reflecting the rich diversity of God’s Kingdom. Through this model, we’re building a leadership approach that strengthens every campus, honors every culture, and serves every generation, so that together we can reach more people and reflect more of God’s heart across our region.

Greater Orlando Locations

John Young
First Orlando Campus
First Orlando Campus Hispano
First Orlando Campus Brasileiro

Horizon West
Horizon West Church

DeBary
Living Springs Church

Ocoee
Evolve Church

Three equally spaced chairs around a table

To illustrate our model of shared leadership, we chose the image of a small work table.

It reminds us that leadership is not about one person elevated above the rest, but about pastors shoulder-to-shoulder in prayer and discernment.

It also provides a vivid image of how the work of leading First Orlando will be carried out. Understanding the why behind leading like this can be summarized with a clear statement:

We believe the Table of Three is rooted in the past, ready for the future, and formed by relationship at its core.

Each Pastor at the Table of Three will have the same role with different responsibilities:

David Uth – Senior Shepherding Pastor:
Embodying prayer, presence, and pastoral leadership.

Danny de Armas – Senior Executive Pastor:
Stewarding operations, ministries, and organizational leadership.

Trey Hildebrant – Senior Teaching Pastor:
Providing doctrinal clarity, biblical instruction, and pulpit leadership.

Rooted in the past
Ready for the future
with Relationship at its core.

Rooted in the past

The Table of Three is not a new invention—it is a faithful return to the pattern we see throughout Scripture.

In the book of Acts, the church in Jerusalem discerned God’s will together at the Council: “It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us…” (Acts 15:28). The church in Antioch was led by “prophets and teachers” working side by side (Acts 13:1). And when Paul called for the leaders of Ephesus, he summoned “the elders of the church” (Acts 20:17), not a single pastor.

Paul instructed Titus to “appoint elders in every town” (Titus 1:5), while Peter, speaking as a “fellow elder,” urged leaders to “shepherd the flock of God that is among you” (1 Peter 5:1–2). Again and again, the New Testament shows us that while the church is one body, its leadership was intentionally shared: plural, humble, and Spirit-led.

Throughout history, the same pattern has sustained God’s people: councils, communities, and pastors discerning together, carrying the weight together, and shepherding together. It has also been present in our recent history at First Orlando. When Pastor David began his ministry here, there was a period in which leadership was shared with Pastor Jim Henry before his retirement. In the last decade, we have seen David as Senior Pastor and Danny as Senior Associate Pastor “lead together” as a united team.

Ready for the future

While the Table of Three is rooted in the witness of Scripture, it is also designed to carry us faithfully into the future. Leadership in the church has never been about one personality, it has always been about preparing the next generation. Paul instructed Timothy: “What you have heard from me…entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2).

This is a picture of leadership that is resilient, multigenerational, and forward-looking. Shared leadership also creates stability in uncertain times. Moses commissioned Joshua publicly, so Israel would move forward with confidence (Numbers 27:18–23). In the same way, three pastors at the table ensure continuity of vision, ministry, and care, even through seasons of transition. As Proverbs reminds us, “Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety” (Proverbs 11:14).

In a world marked by complexity and change, the Table of Three offers strength. It assures integrity and accountability at every level.

By carrying the weight together, we guard against burnout.
By leading through diverse gifts, we remain adaptable.
By seeking God’s voice together, we keep our future anchored in His Spirit.

This is leadership designed not just to survive, but to endure, equipping First Orlando to flourish for generations to come.

Relationship at its core

Finally, at the heart of the Table of Three is not only structure, but spirit, the spirit of genuine relationship. In the early church, leaders were not distant figures on platforms; they were brothers and sisters walking together. Luke tells us, “They devoted themselves … to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (Acts 2:42). Leadership was born out of community, and community was sustained by leaders who lived life together.

Jesus Himself modeled this. Around the table, He washed feet, asked questions, and called His disciples friends (John 13:1–15). True leadership flowed from presence, humility, and love, not from hierarchy. Paul echoes this vision: “The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I don’t need you’” (1 Corinthians 12:21). Every leader, like every member of the body, belongs to one another. Shared leadership thrives on trust, humility, and mutual submission. “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ” (Ephesians 5:21).

At the Table of Three, no chair is higher than another. Decisions are shaped not by dominance but by discernment, not by ego but by the Spirit. When leaders embody this kind of community, the whole church feels it. As Jesus prayed, “May they all be one … so that the world may believe you sent me” (John 17:21).

Relationship at the core of leadership becomes relationship at the core of the church fostering unity, modeling humility, and creating a space where every person knows they have a seat at the table.

This is more than a structural adjustment.
It is a beautiful way forward — a living
picture of Christ’s body led not by one voice,
but by a team of shepherds who discern,
guide, and care together. Above all, it reflects
our conviction that Christ Himself is the true
Shepherd of First Orlando.

First Orlando – DeBary Commissioning

A Word From:

Our Campus Pastors




A Word From:

Some of our Search Team




Role of Senior Pastor

In our shared model, the Senior Pastor role is not diluted but deepened. Instead of being reduced to preaching on Sundays, the office is understood as a four-fold calling— responsibilities shared fully by all three pastors.

1. Prayer

Prayer is the lifeline of pastoral leadership. Before strategy, before preaching, before meetings, there is communion with God. Acts 6:4 says the apostles devoted themselves “to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” The Greek word proseuchē (προσευχή) speaks of prayer not only as an act but as a posture–an ongoing conversation with God.

E.M. Bounds wrote: “The men who have done the most for God in this world have been early on their knees.” A praying pastor shapes a praying church.

2. Direction

If prayer is the lifeline, direction is the rudder. The Senior Pastor listens for God’s leading, articulates vision, and guides the church forward. Proverbs 29:18 reminds us that “where there is no vision, the people perish.” The Greek word proistēmi (προΐστημι) means “to stand before”, leadership that is visible, steady, and attentive.

Direction is not just speeches, it is team-building, wise stewardship, healthy culture, and decisions that serve the mission.

3. Teaching

A church cannot rise above the truth it is fed. Paul’s charge in 2 Timothy 4:2: “preach the word; be ready in season and out of season” calls pastors to anchor God’s people in His Word. The Greek word didaskalos (διδάσκαλος) means “teacher” and carries authority.

John Stott observed: “A church will rarely rise above the level of its teaching.”
This function extends beyond the pulpit to equipping leaders, training teachers, and shaping a biblical worldview.

4. Care

Care is the most personal of these functions—being present in sorrow, celebrating in joy, and walking through the quiet in-between. 1 Peter 5:2 exhorts pastors to “shepherd God’s flock among you.” The Greek word poimēn (ποιμήν) speaks of a shepherd who knows each sheep by name.

Eugene Peterson wrote: “The pastor is not a CEO, therapist, or event planner. First and foremost, the pastor is a shepherd who knows the sheep and lays down his life for them.”
Care also includes protection from harm, false teaching, division, or abuse.

Together, Prayer, Direction, Teaching, and Care form the sacred fabric of the pastoral calling. In the Table of Three, no one pastor carries them alone. Each is equally committed, each brings strengths, and together they embody a leadership pattern that mirrors the New Testament and guards against the fragility of single-leader dependence.

Horizon West Church
Ocoee Campus –
Vacation Bible School

How it works

Throughout this page you’ve seen the vision of the Table of Three. But vision alone is not enough. Fruitful visions are always supported by wise planning.

The Table of Three becomes a practical and sustainable model of leadership when it is grounded in three essentials: well-defined roles, a shared commitment to the church, and a shared commitment to one another.

• Defined Roles – Each pastor carries the title and responsibility of Senior Pastor, with different roles but one shared calling.

• Commitment to the Church – Together, these pastors embrace the sacred trust of leading First Orlando in prayer, direction, teaching, and care.

• Commitment to Each Other – By choosing to pray, discern, and lead in unity, they guard against pride, multiply wisdom, and model harmony for the body of Christ.

When leadership is distributed in humility, the church flourishes in strength. Flowing from this foundation are four commitments the pastors are making to the congregation.

Commitment to the MISSION of the Church

At the heart of First Orlando is a clear, unwavering mission: to follow Jesus and lead others to do the same. This mission is not new—it is the Great Commission itself, the heartbeat of Jesus for His church. Whatever changes in style, structure, or season, the mission remains steady.

Matthew 28:19–20 (CSB)
“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Matthew 4:19 (CSB)
“Follow me,” he told them, “and I will make you fish for people.”

Commitment to the MESSAGE of Christ

The pastors’ second commitment is to the gospel of Jesus Christ. They are not inventors of truth, they are stewards of it. Every sermon, every ministry, every outreach is anchored in the message of Christ’s death and resurrection. Clarity, consistency, and courage in proclaiming Jesus will remain at the center of all that First Orlando does.

1 Corinthians 2:2 (CSB)
“I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.”

Romans 1:16 (CSB)
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek.”

Commitment to a MODEL Rooted in Humility

The third commitment is to the model of leadership itself: the Table of Three. At this table, no one voice is louder than the others. Each pastor carries the same office, with humility and shared responsibility, while fulfilling distinct roles. This is not hierarchy, but humility. The pastors lead as one team, committing to mutual-voluntary submission.

1 Peter 5:5 (CSB)
“In the same way, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. All of you clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

Commitment to MAKING First Orlando a Home for the City

In a world of fragmentation and loneliness, the church must be a place of belonging. First Orlando is called to be a spiritual home where:

• The hurting find healing.
• Families grow stronger.
• The nations gather in unity.
• Every generation is welcomed at the table.

That is the vision for First Orlando, to be a household of faith where all can encounter Jesus.

Romans 1:14-15 (CSB)
“I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.”

Hebrews 13:1–2 (CSB)
“Let brotherly love continue. Don’t neglect to show hospitality, for by doing this some have welcomed angels as guests without knowing it.”

Beach Baptism – Cocoa Beach, FL

Frequently Asked Questions

You’ve got questions. We’ve got answers.

David, Danny, and Trey are all three Senior Pastors of the church, so any or all of those names would be correct. At our campuses, many associate the campus leader as their pastor as well.

The move to a plurality of elders has been significant over the last 25 years, and many large churches have embraced some form of team-based leadership. What makes First Orlando’s approach unique is the clarity and visibility of sharing the Senior Pastor role among three leaders. While elder teams are common, very few churches of our size have chosen to elevate a shared table of pastors as the defining model of leadership.

As an autonomous church that is not governed by any outside body or denomination, but by our own membership, we are free to structure our staff in the way we believe best adheres to Scripture and fits our context.

Yes. We believe this change is biblical and wise, and we want to ensure that we respect our own church polity by enshrining it into our governing documents. Our bylaw changes were approved on September 21, 2025.

Jesus is! All three pastors are equally Senior Pastors, and they serve together under the Lordship of Jesus. They share the same role and authority, while bringing different strengths and spiritual gifts. They lead together by prayerful consensus under the leadership of Jesus and the oversight of the Church Leadership Team which is comprised of the lay leader chairs of our Trustees, Budget, Personnel, Deacons, First Orlando Foundation, Building Committee, and TFA School Board.

All three pastors carry the full weight of senior leadership and they will make decisions together. At the same time, each will focus on one of the historic pastoral functions (Direction, Teaching, or Care) so that their unique gifts are stewarded well. Trey will preach more often, David will have more direct oversight on matters of pastoral care and missions, and Danny will exercise more oversight over staff, logistics, and finances.

No. All members of our staff, across all of our campuses, will continue to report up through one of our Executive Team members. This gives staff clear support and spreads the weight of leadership.

When a decision is being made at that level, our goal is to not move forward with any significant decision if the Senior Pastors cannot agree. If an instance were to arise where the Senior Pastors team does not have unanimity about a path forward, they would pause that decision and commit it to prayer. In the event they are still unable to make a unified decision, they will prayerfully involve the Church Leadership Team to seek a path forward.

In many ways, First Orlando has already been operating collaboratively at the senior level for years. This step simply names and blesses what is already happening while also preparing us for the future. A pastoral transition is often a hard season for a church. Making this change now allows us to avoid some of the difficulty and tumult that can arise during a transition and work out how the new model functions without introducing other factors into the mix.

The three pastors will hold each other accountable daily, while also being accountable to the Church Leadership Team. Each pastor’s ministry will be evaluated both individually and collectively. This creates more checks and balances than a single-leader model and provides greater protection for the church.

As Senior Teaching Pastor, you will see Trey preaching more than anyone else. David and Danny will continue to preach occasionally, along with other members of our teaching team and the occasional guest.

The three Senior Pastors are under-shepherds of our Great Shepherd, Jesus Christ. And though they will be entrusted with leading First Orlando, our governance empowers a small group of well-informed leaders as the table of most significant authority. This team is made up of 7 Lay Leaders and the 3 Senior Pastors and is called the Church Leadership Team.

No, we will not go back to one Senior Pastor. This is a permanent change to the leadership model for First Orlando. In the event one of our Senior Pastors were to leave, we will pursue a process to replace them, maintaining the plurality of the shared leadership model.

The Senior Teaching Pastor will have the primary voice for communicating vision and direction to the church.

The Senior Shepherding Pastor will serve as the primary spokesperson for external audiences.

The Senior Executive Pastor will have primary responsibility for internal communication to the staff.

The severity of the emergency will dictate how decisions are made in a moment of crisis. When possible the leaders closest to the situation in proximity and responsibility should be the one(s) deciding. All three Senior Pastors have the authority to make highest level decisions without consultation if the crisis warrants it.

John Young Campus – Baptism

As a church, we believe the Table of Three is more than structure. It is a vision rooted in the witness of Scripture and the legacy of our past, ready to serve the future with wisdom and strength, and formed by relationship at its very core. This is our beautiful way forward, a model that reflects God’s design for His people to lead, serve, and flourish together.

Our Prayer

is that this will be more than creative governance; it will be a living witness that First Orlando is led by Christ, in community, for the good of the world.

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