Meet The Planters Class of 2024
Kenny Ortiz
Kenny Ortiz has 15+ years of pastoral ministry experience. He’s also been a college professor, author, podcaster, and real estate entrepreneur. Kenny is originally from Philadelphia, PA and went to college in Illinois. He has lived in multiple states, serving in various ministry positions. Kenny moved to the Orlando area in summer 2013. He served as part of the youth ministry staff team at Mosaic Church (Winter Garden, FL) and was later part of the church plant launch team of The Grove Church (Clermont, FL). In fall 2017, Kenny moved to Minneapolis, MN where he served as a pastor at Cities Church and a professor at Bethlehem College & Seminary. He’s also been a professor at Bethany Global University and adjunct faculty at Spurgeon College. Kenny met Malaina while working in Minnesota. Malaina is originally from Houston, TX. She previously served as a missionary to France. She was working as a college recruiter in Minnesota when she met Kenny. They married in May 2020.
Kenny has been dreaming of church planting since his college days more than 20 years ago, and Malaina has become the biggest supporter of that dream. They moved to the Orlando area in summer 2023 and are currently serving at The Grove Church. They intend to plant a new church in the Orlando area in fall 2024. Kenny and Malaina have been approved for church planting by Send Network. Their church plant will also be part of the Pillar Network. Kenny has a B.S. (Organizational Leadership & Psychology), B.A. (Biblical Studies), M.Div., and Th.M. (Pedagogy). He’s also currently pursuing a Ph.D. (Historical Theology). Malaina has a B.A. (Biblical Studies & Intercultural Ministry Studies) and M.A. (Intercultural Leadership). Kenny and Malaina have two kids, Lettie and Josiah.
Samy Anderson
My name is Samy Anderson. I am a pastor from Brazil. I just moved to Orlando in August to participate in the OCPN Finishing Residency. I have been married 23 years to my wife Kelly and we have 2 daughters. Maria is our oldest daughter who is 20 years old and Sophia is 10 years old. I enjoy listening to Gospel and Jazz music, playing soccer and having Brazilian BBQ with friends.
I have served as a Presbyterian Pastor since 2007. I have a Masters degree in Old Testament from Mackenzie Presbyterian University and Postgraduate degree in Philosophy. I have taught at seminaries in Brazil since 2006. I pastored a church for 15 years in Limeira City, São Paulo. During that time, I helped to plant a daughter church in another city in Rio de Janeiro. Now, God has called me and my family to plant a new church here in Tampa, FL with Esperança Bible Presbyterian Church in Orlando as our sending church.
Victor Moura
My name is Victor Vasconcelos Moura, and I was born and raised in Brasilia, Brazil. I'm married to my beautiful wife, Ludy, and we have two daughters, Liz (6) and Lavinia (1). I have my BA in Theology and worked many years with church planting, where we planted over 40 churches in Brazil and Mozambique. Our journey started in the US when we moved to Boston as church planters. I'm an entrepreneur, and I like to create new things. At the moment, I own a cleaning company. My hobbies are training BJJ (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu) and BBQ with family and friends. An interesting fact about me is that I worked as a police officer in Charleston, SC before moving to Orlando. Now, God has called my family and I to plant a new church here in Orlando with One Family Church in Apopka as our sending church. I have been approved for church planting by Send Network.