About

Who We Are

House of Fellowship Church of God is an international, Spirit-led congregation located in Springfield, Virginia. We are affiliated with the Church of God (Cleveland, TN) — one of the oldest Pentecostal denominations in the world — and we are committed to the full gospel message of Jesus Christ.

We are a diverse family of believers drawn from many nations, cultures, and backgrounds, united by one faith and one Lord. Our congregation reflects the heart of our calling: to reach all nations for Christ, right here in Northern Virginia and beyond.

We believe the local church is the hope of the world. At House of Fellowship, you will find a community that worships authentically, studies the Word seriously, and loves people genuinely. We are not a perfect church — but we are a real one, and we are growing together in the grace of God.

Our Vision

Reaching nations for Christ as we disciple them through our faith for the next generation.
We are called to make disciples — not just converts. Our vision is rooted in the Great Commission:

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
— Matthew 28:19-20

We take this charge personally. Every ministry we build, every service we hold, every prayer we pray is oriented toward this singular purpose: making disciples who make disciples.

Our Mission

To demonstrate God's will by developing and preparing individuals for the Great Commission.
We believe every believer has been called and equipped for something meaningful. Our mission is to create avenues for those called to practice their gifts and ministries — equipping, empowering, and releasing them to serve God and their communities with excellence and faith.
This means we invest in people. We build leaders. We develop teachers, intercessors, evangelists, and servants. Whatever your calling, we want to help you walk in it.

Come to faith. Grow in faith. Serve in faith. Live in faith.

This four-part rhythm describes the journey we invite every person into. Faith is not a one-time decision — it is a lifelong pursuit. Whether you are just beginning to explore what it means to believe, or you have been walking with God for years and are ready to serve, there is a next step waiting for you at House of Fellowship.

Our Core Values

We are a community marked by the following values:

Respect and Belonging

We honor every person who walks through our doors. We believe that differences in background, culture, and experience are a gift — not a barrier. Our congregation reflects many nations, and we celebrate that diversity as a picture of the Kingdom of God. (Romans 14:2-3; Ephesians 4:2; Colossians 3:13)

Discipleship

We are committed to spiritual growth. We do not just want people to attend church — we want them to be transformed by it. Through Bible study, prayer, mentorship, and community, we help believers go deeper in their walk with God.

Prayer

Prayer is the foundation of everything we do. We believe in a God who hears and answers, and we are a people who pray — individually, corporately, and continuously. (1 Thessalonians 5:17; James 5:16)

Service and Outreach

We are not a church that turns inward. We exist to serve our neighbors, our city, and the nations. From local outreach to global missions, we are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus in the world.

What We Believe

House of Fellowship Church of God holds to the core doctrines of the historic Christian faith and the Pentecostal tradition of the Church of God (Cleveland, TN). We believe:

In the full inspiration and authority of the Holy Bible as the infallible Word of God.

In one God, eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

In the Great Commission — that every believer is called to share the Gospel and make disciples.

Our History

The story of House of Fellowship Church of God is a story of faith, persistence, and the faithfulness of God.

Our origins trace back to a Swahili Bible Study group established within the ministries of the Word of Life Church of God in Springfield, Virginia. Word of Life was committed to serving the increasingly diverse population of Northern Virginia, and the Swahili ministry was one expression of that heart. For several years, that group was led by the late Reverend Josiah Thuku Kambutu — a native of Kenya, a man of God, and a divinity student in Northern Virginia.

As the group grew, a vision began to stir. Members felt called to form their own congregation — a place where they could develop their own identity, expand their ministries, and go deeper in community together. Pastor Josiah was thoughtful and prayerful about this transition. He led the group in sustained prayer throughout 2010, seeking God's clear direction and blessing before taking any step forward.

Confident of God's guidance, a significant portion of the Swahili group separated from Word of Life at the beginning of 2010 and established the House of Fellowship — meeting initially in Pastor Josiah's own home. By February 2011, the congregation had grown enough to move its gatherings to the cafeteria of Frost Middle School in Fairfax, Virginia. In September 2013, the church found a space to lease, and on August 28, 2011, House of Fellowship was officially organized by Bishop David Hagee, the Church of God's Virginia Director of Ministerial Development.

From the beginning, Pastor Josiah built a culture of prayer, discipleship, and equipping. Bible studies were designed to strengthen the faith of members and prepare them to withstand the challenges of the world. Prayer lines ran several nights a week. Evangelism and outreach ministries sought to grow the church and spread the Gospel. The HOF Bible Study became part of the Free Leadership Bible Institute in the summer of 2012, from which six students graduated. The vision was clear: members of this church would carry the Gospel throughout the world.

Although House of Fellowship is often recognized for its Kenyan roots, it has always been an international congregation — a diverse family of believers from many races and nations worshiping together as one.

In June 2017, the church mourned the passing of Dr. Bishop Josiah Kambutu Thuku. His legacy lives on in every member he discipled and every life he poured himself into. Following his passing, his wife, Pastor Joyce Thuku, was entrusted with the role of Senior Pastor. She continues to lead House of Fellowship with the same commitment to the Word, the nations, and the people God has placed in her care.