A Brief Biography

Biography

John Orlando

SOME PERSONAL INFORMATION

The Basics:

I was born on August 7, 1965, in Phoenixville, PA (near Philadelphia) and grew up mostly in Elkton, MD, 40 miles south of Philadelphia. I retired from the United States Air Force after 21 years of service in March 2005. I then took a job as the Office Manager for the Philadelphia office of Robert Half International (RHI). RHI is a staffing firm, and a $3.7 billion a year corporation. I left RHI in July 2006 in order to focus on my studies and transition into seminary (Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia). I have been enrolled at Westminster since January 2007, pursuing a Masters of Divinity Degree in Pastor Studies.

Conversion:

Before God saved me, I was often mired in despair and feelings of purposelessness. Then I heard the greatest good news ever proclaimed: the Bible teaches that Jesus Christ, the infinite God-Man, came to save sinners! He obeyed God’s Law perfectly where I never could, died on the cross to pay the full penalty for sins, and rose bodily from the grave to secure a place in Heaven as an absolutely free gift for all who turn from their sins and trust and rest in Christ alone by His grace alone. By God’s amazing grace, He enabled me to receive His gift of eternal life. I now know that my life has meaning, and I revel in God’s purpose for me to glorify and enjoy Him forever. I know for sure that I will go to Heaven when I die because of the perfect life and death of the risen and ascended Christ, who ever lives to make intercession for His people.

Family Life and Commitment:

I am married to the former Ursula Johnson. We were married on July 15, 1995. Ursula was born and raised in Middletown, NY. She received Christ in 1990, and enjoys teaching children and organizing Christ-centered functions and events for women. She retired from the United States Air Force after 20 years of service to her country in March 2005. She currently works as an office manager at our church, New Life Presbyterian Church of Dresher PA, and she is pursuing a degree in secondary education. Ursula and I have one son, Michael. Michael received Christ at the age of 5. He is currently attending Temple University.

Calling:

After God graciously converted me, I immersed myself in Bible study and church ministry, teaching Sunday school classes and other Bible studies. I did this for over a year before being deployed to Saudi Arabia in April 1996. While in Saudi Arabia, God powerfully confirmed to me through His Word, various circumstances, and the testimony of other Christians, that He had called me into the Gospel Ministry. After three years of observation by two different congregations, and successfully passing both written and oral examinations, I was ordained into the Gospel Ministry on March 21, 1999. Note: I am pursuing licensure and eventually ordination through the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) in the years to come, Lord willing.

MINISTRY EXPERIENCE

Jul 06 - Present - New Life Presbyterian Church of Dresher (http://www.newlifedresher.org ):

* My family and I have been attending New Life since July 2006, and became member in April 2007.

Note: I also minister frequently at the Voice of the Gospel Mission Church (non-denominational), Middletown NY: Currently I am preaching once a month there.

Feb 2004 - Jun 2005 - Covenant Presbyterian Church, Abilene, TX (http://www.covopc.org)

* Elder; Worship Leader; Preached Sermons (also Pulpit Supply to other churches); Taught Bible Studies/Sunday School; Evangelism Director; Choir Member.

Jan 2002 - Dec 2003 - Incirlik Air Base, Turkey:

* Member of the Incirlik Christian Ministers Alliance (served as the Minister of Education). Preached Sermons; Taught Bible Studies/Sunday School; Led a Cell Group; Worship Team Member; Occasionally Led Worship; Taught lessons and Preached sermons during a 2-day Youth Retreat; Intercessory Prayer Team Member.

Jan 1999 – Jan 2001 - Harvester Presbyterian Church, Springfield VA:

* Elder; Director of Evangelism; Taught Bible Studies/Sunday School; Cell Group leader; Member of Church Plant Team; Pulpit Supply to other churches; Nursing Home Ministry.

Jan 1998 - Jan 2001 – Fishers of Men Ministries:

* Conducted worship services in various prisons and nursing homes in North Florida.

Feb 1998 - Jul 1999 - New Life Anointed Christian Center (non-denominational) http://www.thelifedc.org/home.php:

* Ordained into the Gospel Ministry (1999); Elder; Director of Evangelism; Preached Sermons; Developed/Taught Bible Studies and Sunday School Lessons; Participated in Homeless Ministry.

Jun 1996 - Aug 1997 - New Life Deliverance Temple (non-denominational) www.nldtc.org:

* Licensed Minister (March 1997); Ordained as a Deacon (October 1996); Director of Evangelism; Preached Sermons; Developed/Taught Bible Studies/Sunday School.

Apr 1996 - Base Chapel, Saudi Arabia:

* Administrator for the Gospel Service; Preached Sermons; Developed/Taught Bible Studies; Appointed by the 58^th Fighter Squadron Commander as a spiritual counselor to help military members deal with the death of fallen comrades after the terrorist bombing of Khobar Towers (Note: I received the Purple Heart for injuries sustained due to the bombing).

Feb 1995 - Jun 1996 - Cinco Baptist Church (Southern Baptist Convention):

* Developed/Taught Bible Studies/Sunday School Lessons; Participated in Evangelism Ministry

EDUCATION

Completed:

* Bachelor of Science in Religion, Magna Cum Laude, Liberty University (www.liberty.edu). Awarded January 2, 2007.

* Bachelor of Theology (unaccredited): Christian Life School of Theology and Seminary (now called Beacon University) (http://www.clst.edu/). Awarded in 2003.
* Liberty Institute of the Bible: Completed in 2000.
* Evangelism Explosion International Level II (Leader): Completed in 2000.
* Evangelism Explosion International Level I: Completed in 1996.
* Teaching with Style: Completed in 1995.

* Noncommissioned Officers Academy: Completed in November 2002. This is a military academic school where personnel engage in comprehensive study of such things as leadership, management principles, counseling, communication skills, etc.

Continuing:

Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia PA. I began classes there in January 2007 to pursue a Master of Divinity degree.

MY PHILOSOPHY OF MINISTRY: http://www.geocities.com/johnandursula/philosophyofministry.pdf

MILITARY CAREER

Branch: United States Air Force since 21 June 1984.

Separation: Retired after more than 20 years of service in March 2005.

MILITARY MEDALS/DECORATIONS (IN ORDER OF IMPORTANCE)

1. Purple Heart – Awarded 1 time due to injuries from terrorist bombing in Saudi Arabia

2. Air Force Commendation Medal – Awarded 4 times

3. Air Force Achievement Medal – Awarded 2 times

4. Air Force Outstanding Unit Award – Awarded 3 times

5. Air Force Good Conduct Medal – Awarded 7 times

6. National Defense Service Medal – Awarded 2 times

7. Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal – Awarded 1 time

8. Air Force Overseas Ribbon Short – Awarded 1 time

9. Air Force Overseas Ribbon Long – Awarded 1 time

10. Air Force Longevity Service – Awarded 5 times

11. USAF NCO Professional Military Education Graduate Ribbon – Awarded 2 times

12. Air Force Training Ribbon – Awarded 1 time

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