Pastor John Blake has always led with a servant’s heart.

After ministering in the greater Leesburg area for 36 years, he recently retired from his post as head pastor, but not from serving others.

The fifth-generation Floridian, who is related to Presbyterian minister John Witherspoon (one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence), grew up in Winter Park, where he graduated high school in 1975.

At the University of Central Florida, John majored in music education and composition.

After graduating in 1979, he married Sandy McAlister. They are the proud parents of Josh, Brittany, John and Seth, and have four grandchildren.

John started as a teacher, and taught at Winter Park High School from 1978 to 1980. Then, in 1980, he signed with Heartland Records and traveled until 1983, performing Christian music at conferences and churches.

After John graduated from Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia, he served as an associate pastor at New Life Presbyterian in Fruitland Park from 1987 to 2009 under senior pastor Bill Birdsall.

John, who coached Babe Ruth youth baseball for 15 years in Leesburg, says the kids loved his “sermons on the mound.”

In 2009, Pastor John founded the non-denominational Good News Church in Leesburg.

“We wanted a church that was casual, contemporary and Christ-centered,” he says. “We try to keep the main thing, the main thing, which is the good news, the gospel of Jesus Christ. We are family-focused and think a church should look like a family – from babies to grandparents.”

For several years, the church met in the Opera House on Main Street, now home to Akers Media Group. 

Since 2012, the church’s home has been off West Main Street in a building on Executive Road that once served as a Boys & Girls Club. The congegration bought and renovated the building, primarily with volunteers.

During the pandemic, an anonymous donor paid off the church’s $250,000 mortgage, which was a huge blessing.

Good News Church, known for its live nativity, living Last Supper, and caroling at Christmas, will celebrate its 15th anniversary on September 20, 2024

At 66, Pastor John felt it was time to step down as head pastor. Music has always been a hallmark of his ministry and he plans to continue serving in church and prison ministries. 

He feels the church is in good hands with his successor Pastor Mark Schilling. 

“He reminds me of myself 24 years ago,” says Pastor John.

Good News Church’s mission statement has never changed: “Love God, love each other and love people who don’t know God yet.”

I’m very excited about taking the head pastor position at Good News Church. Pastor John and the church have built something really awesome. We’re just trying to build on what has already been built.

—pastor mark schilling

Pastor Mark Schilling loved visiting Central Florida with his family through the years, but he never imagined moving here from upstate New York. 

Until last year.

After seminary at Portland Bible College, Mark pastored at Redeemer Church in Rome, New York, from 2003 to 2023. He also served on a volunteer basis as chaplain for the local fire department.

He felt led to shepherd his own congregation for the next chapter of life.

His wife, Stephanie, and their three children were on board, so he worked with Shepherd Staff, a search firm that connects churches with ministry candidates.

“I wasn’t in a rush. I wanted to make sure the move we made was the best for our family and the church we were taking on,” explains Mark, 44. “If we were going to make a major move, we wanted to do it in a climate conducive to flourishing, so we picked Florida.”

The Schilling family moved to Leesburg last fall. The passing of the torch from Pastor John took place on October 22, 2023, when Pastor Mark officially became head pastor.

The Schilling family already felt familiar with the area, thanks to past vacations here.

“Coming from the North, I was shocked with how friendly people are in the South,” Mark says.

An avid runner, he enjoys spending time working out, reading and relaxing outdoors with the family. The Schillings attend Orlando Magic games whenever they can.

“I’m very excited about taking the head pastor position at Good News Church,” Mark says. “Pastor John and the church have built something really awesome. We’re just trying to build on what has already been built.”

Mark’s goal is to be very intentional in reaching those in their 20s and 30s. The church will be offering small groups that appeal to young people, families and married couples. 

Pastor Mark marvels at how the area has grown since the pandemic inspired more people to move here.

“Those folks are going to need a good church, so we hope to be that for them,” he says. “We’re really praying God helps our church to be diverse in every way. We want to be a good cross section of the culture of Lake County.”