The House of Fellowship Church of God had its origins in the Swahili Bible Study Group that had been established within the ministries of the Word of Life Church of God in Springfield, Virginia. Word of Life sought to serve spiritual needs of the increasingly diverse population of Northern Virginia and the Swahili ministry was one aspect of that service. This ministry was led for several years by the late Reverend Josiah Thuku Kambutu, a native of Kenya and a divinity student in Northern Virginia.
The Swahili ministry grew over time and became large enough that many of its members came to feel that it would be beneficial to their spiritual growth to be able to conduct their own services, perhaps to form their own church. Pastor Josiah resisted these pressures, but led the group in prayers for guidance in order to ensure that God and the Holy Spirit would bless and guide their actions. The members of the group prayed continuously for blessing and guidance throughout 2010. Feeling assured that they understood God’s guidance and approval of their motives and actions, a significant portion of the Swahili group separated themselves from Word of Life at the beginning of 2010 and established the House of Fellowship, meeting initially in Pastor Josiah’s home. During the period February-March 2011, the church began meeting in the cafeteria of the Frost Middle School in Fairfax, Virginia. As of Sept. of 2013, House of Fellowship found a place to lease momentarily. The Church became officially organized on 8/28/2011 by the Church of God’s Virginia Director of Ministerial Development – Bishop David Hagee – and continues to serve a diverse congregation.
The Pastor has instituted a number of ambitious programs within the church. These programs had several objectives. Bible studies and prayer meetings were designed to strengthen the faith and knowledge of the participating church members and to prepare them to better withstand the temptations and snares of the outside world. Indeed, the HOF Bible Study became part of the Free Leadership Bible Institute in Summer of 2012, from which six students have graduated. The computer-based prayer line sessions conducted several nights each week sought to strengthen those in need of prayer and to Biblically join together the believers in seeking the Lord’s blessings and help. Evangelism and outreach ministries sought to spread the Gospel and to grow the church. The ultimate goal of these and of ministries to women and others sought to provide attention and guidance to meet the particular needs of various groups within the church. Ultimately, the pastor envisions that members of the church will spread the Gospel throughout the world. To that end, two members have already qualified as Exhorters in the Church of God and are serving in leadership capacities, seeking to set godly examples for the rest of us. At present, these programs continue and the church, led by the pastor’s example, is seeking to grow and to find a place of permanent residence.
Although some may know this as Kenyan Church in Northern Virginia, HoF is international with different races worshiping together.
Dr. Bishop Josiah Kambutu Thuku passed away on June 1st, 2017. His wife, pastor Joyce Thuku is now the senior pastor.
Compiled by: Jim Yarrison
The Swahili ministry grew over time and became large enough that many of its members came to feel that it would be beneficial to their spiritual growth to be able to conduct their own services, perhaps to form their own church. Pastor Josiah resisted these pressures, but led the group in prayers for guidance in order to ensure that God and the Holy Spirit would bless and guide their actions. The members of the group prayed continuously for blessing and guidance throughout 2010. Feeling assured that they understood God’s guidance and approval of their motives and actions, a significant portion of the Swahili group separated themselves from Word of Life at the beginning of 2010 and established the House of Fellowship, meeting initially in Pastor Josiah’s home. During the period February-March 2011, the church began meeting in the cafeteria of the Frost Middle School in Fairfax, Virginia. As of Sept. of 2013, House of Fellowship found a place to lease momentarily. The Church became officially organized on 8/28/2011 by the Church of God’s Virginia Director of Ministerial Development – Bishop David Hagee – and continues to serve a diverse congregation.
The Pastor has instituted a number of ambitious programs within the church. These programs had several objectives. Bible studies and prayer meetings were designed to strengthen the faith and knowledge of the participating church members and to prepare them to better withstand the temptations and snares of the outside world. Indeed, the HOF Bible Study became part of the Free Leadership Bible Institute in Summer of 2012, from which six students have graduated. The computer-based prayer line sessions conducted several nights each week sought to strengthen those in need of prayer and to Biblically join together the believers in seeking the Lord’s blessings and help. Evangelism and outreach ministries sought to spread the Gospel and to grow the church. The ultimate goal of these and of ministries to women and others sought to provide attention and guidance to meet the particular needs of various groups within the church. Ultimately, the pastor envisions that members of the church will spread the Gospel throughout the world. To that end, two members have already qualified as Exhorters in the Church of God and are serving in leadership capacities, seeking to set godly examples for the rest of us. At present, these programs continue and the church, led by the pastor’s example, is seeking to grow and to find a place of permanent residence.
Although some may know this as Kenyan Church in Northern Virginia, HoF is international with different races worshiping together.
Dr. Bishop Josiah Kambutu Thuku passed away on June 1st, 2017. His wife, pastor Joyce Thuku is now the senior pastor.
Compiled by: Jim Yarrison
