Cover Article | By Jocklyn Mundy | Photo by Windermere Photography
John and Colleen Parrott have long been influential figures in the West Orange Community. With John's recent appointment as Lead Pastor at Discovery Church Winter Garden, their enduring journey of service takes on a new chapter, further inspiring and shaping the community to which they are deeply committed.
Colleen and John's unique love story began through an unexpected connection: Colleen's late husband, Phillip. Both John and Phillip shared a bond as members of the Discovery Church worship team, intertwining their lives in a way that would define their futures in profound ways. Tragically, just months after Colleen and Phillip were married, Phillip’s life was cut short by a car accident. His loss was devastating, leaving a void in their family, and their church community.
John's story, marked by a childhood with a single mother, gave him unique empathy towards Colleen's situation. Their shared grief and the tight-knit nature of the Discovery Church community further increased their connection. After some time had passed, John and Colleen were chaperoning a youth group to Disney World's Night of Joy, among the chaos they felt the sparks of romance. Their relationship developed, enriched by their shared experiences and deep understanding of each other's pasts. Despite the unconventional start, including eloping—a decision they humorously advise against for their children—John and Colleen’s story celebrates their love but also honors Phillip's lasting impact on their lives. Colleen reflects on the significance of Phillip to them all, not only as a spiritual guide who led her to faith but also as a mentor/dear friend to John and a beloved father figure to Colleen’s son Brendon.
John was just shy of his 21st birthday when he and Colleen were married. Having a family to provide for and recognizing his knack for communication and engagement with others, John went into sales. This eventually led him into the mortgage industry, where his career flourished. Colleen pursued an occupation as a speech-language pathologist.
John says, “We’ve both been part of Discovery Church now, for around 30 years. I began serving with the worship team when I was drawn by their need for an electric guitar player. At that time, the entire church was a community of about 250 people. Although I come from a legacy of three previous generations of pastors, the church environment I was familiar with was very conservative. When I was growing up, ministry wasn’t something I envisioned for myself, especially since I hadn’t been exposed to contemporary worship with electric and bass guitars. Discovering the contemporary worship style was a turning point for me. It opened my eyes to new possibilities and set me on a path I hadn’t expected. From the age of 18, I started playing with their worship team and never left.”
Colleen had been part of the church for a few years before John joined. Their commitment to their church community never wavered. John dedicated almost every evening after work to the church. Colleen recalls, “On Tuesdays, he would practice for the Wednesday Youth Worship, and Thursdays were reserved for rehearsal for Sunday's services.” At The Element, Discovery Churches Youth Ministries peak, they were part of running, it averaged 400-500 kids. The Element was a vibrant outreach ministry, always creative and centered around the music ministry, led by John. John laughs, “It was fun, we even had a skate park, we couldn’t do that now because of the insurance!”
John’s career in mortgage financing was very successful. With that experience, John, alongside his father, founded Parrott Financial, a venture that specialized in mortgage financing and real estate. While building this new business, John continued to lead worship at church. John was also very active in the local music scene, traveling with different bands, playing lead guitar and vocals, and working in the studio. John reflects, “Music was my quest for personal significance and identity. It was my passion, but it had become an idol in my life.” He also recognizes the positive aspects of this time, especially in the realm of creativity and worship, "We were writing a lot of really intense original worship music," he recalls. Despite the joys, John was convicted that this path was not fully aligned with his faith or his values. "I knew I wasn’t honoring God as I should, and I needed to make some changes."
In 2008, the unforeseen economic downturn and the bursting of the housing bubble brought their world crashing down. The crisis hit hard, stripping them of their financial stability and forcing them into a position they had never imagined. They had to sell their home, while simultaneously, their company, once a source of pride and livelihood, it did not withstand the economic strain and closed. This period marked a significant turning point, compelling them to confront and navigate the realities of loss and uncertainty. It was during that same time, that John and Colleen separated. Colleen says, “We were trying to figure out if we were even going to continue together.”
Colleen, working as a speech therapist, was fortunate to retain her position during this challenging period. John, on the other hand, found himself home taking care of their two youngest children during the day. This period became a significant one for introspection for him, as he realized how intertwined his identity had been with his professional achievements and material possessions. With everything familiar unraveled, John reached a pivotal moment of surrender, open to embracing whatever path lay ahead…unconditionally.
It was during this time of John’s reflection and readiness for change that Discovery Church found itself in need of a full-time Worship Pastor and announced a national search for the position. Recognizing John’s steadfast presence for the past twelve years as a volunteer leading worship —they proposed that he serve as the interim Worship Pastor. Seeing it as both a job opportunity and a chance to serve the church doing something he loved, he agreed.
Throughout the next year, many candidates with very impressive ministry qualifications were considered. John was at peace and his faith was unwavering. He came to understand that, regardless of people’s plans, God's plans are best and will prevail in His timing. Eventually, the decision was made, and John was officially named the Worship Pastor.
It was in this season, that John and Colleen committed to prioritizing, healing, and fortifying their marriage. Colleen shares, “We learned a lot about ourselves and each other in the process." John decided in order to focus on his family and faith, he would no longer participate in music outside of worship, this made a significant difference in their lives. This unity has benefited their family immeasurably, promoting a thriving household. John and Colleen’s four children continue to be a blessing, Brendon Parrott, his wife Shana, and their children Ezra and Hugo live in Sanford, McKayla and her husband, Greg Summers, who is a 2nd Lt in the US Marine Corps and a graduate of the Naval Academy, live in Bluffton, SC with their son Trip. Cadence is pursuing her studies at Lake Sumter College, while the youngest Jacob excels as a dual-enrolled senior at West Orange High School.
Grandson, Trip Summers
From Left to Right: Jacob, Cadence, John and Colleen Parrott, Greg and McKayla Summers (son Trip), Brendon and Shana Parrott, and daughter Ezra (son Hugo).
As the years have gone by, John’s ministry has evolved, as he discovered a calling to educate and guide through the spoken word. This growth involved expanding his theological knowledge and also honing his ability to communicate spiritual truths in an accessible manner. John’s gift of blending the art of worship with the craft of teaching fosters a connection of both faith and understanding.
One of the many people John and Colleen are grateful for is the leadership, friendship, and guidance of Don Cousins, Senior Lead Pastor of Discovery Church. John says, “Don has influenced my life beyond measure, providing not just invaluable wisdom and stability but also a model of the values and dedication I aspire to. This mentorship has enriched my journey and instilled in me a desire to mentor others, passing on the knowledge and support I've been fortunate to receive.”
As John embraces his new position as Lead Pastor at Discovery Church Winter Garden, Colleen invests her passion into the Soul Care Ministry. A ministry dedicated to teaching biblical principles that help people heal from past traumas. Her involvement in the Soul Care prayer team has allowed her to observe remarkable transformations within the community. Witnessing the power of prayer and guidance, Colleen has seen firsthand the impact that spiritual support and understanding can have on individuals, inspiring them toward personal growth and stronger faith.
For over two decades, Discovery Church has been a part of the Windermere community. John and Colleen were part of the group that came from the downtown campus, originally holding its gatherings at Olympia High School under the name Discovery Church Southwest. Ten years ago, Discovery moved into the current facility at the NW Corner of 535 and Lake Butler Boulevard and renamed it Discovery Church, Winter Garden Campus.
Looking forward, John says, “Our team is excited about the recent purchase of twenty acres in the New Independence area of Winter Garden, our prayer is, that in approximately three years we will have a new church home on the site. We see ourselves as stewards, of what God has entrusted to us. Our heart desires to serve this community and make a meaningful difference in every life we touch."
John and Colleen are a powerful team, a blend of compassion, resilience, and unwavering faith. Their shared commitment reflects a dedication to their faith and the community's welfare.
Discovery Church | discoverychurch.org
