When it all began...

Where did the phrase "Communities of Heaven" come from?

During my college years, I was sitting in a Sunday morning church service listening to a well-known black preacher speaking on the Lord's prayer.  When he came to the phrase, "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heav­en..." (Matthew 6:10), he looked out over that congregation and said one of the most memorable statements in my life.  "The church is to be a community of heaven on earth."  That phrase stuck.

The church is to be a gathering of  believers who love one another in such a way that anyone associating with them gains a little foretaste of heaven's glory.  This is how God began His call in my heart.

What is a "Community of Heaven"?

There are many types of communities, all of which are not necessarily Christian.  When we speak of a "community of heaven", we have a specific type of communi­ty in mind.  It is a community whose central focus is Jesus Christ.  It is a group of people who not only share their lives with each other, but whose lives are shared with the life of God Himself.  In fact, their deep love and motivation to share themselves comes from the shared life of their God and Father, Yahweh, and His Son, Jesus Christ.

The overwhelming characteristic of heaven is the manifested presence of God and His glory (I Kings 8:10, 11).  There may even be the conscious realization of God's awesome presence due to the nature of the activities and unusual phenomena (c.f. Acts 4:31).  Although God's wonderful presence cannot be seen or necessarily "felt," His presence can be evidenced by the genuine love and unity demonstrated by the members of the community toward each other.

What is a "Disciple"?

The term "disciple" means "learner, follower, or apprentice."  The members of a community of heaven (house church) are disciples of Jesus.  They not only learn what He said, but commit themselves to do what He did in the way that He did it (John 14:12).  By doing this, we become conformed to His character and lifestyle (Romans 8:29).  This is one of the primary purposes of the community.

What form does a Community of Heaven take?

A Community of Heaven refers to a small group of disciples who are committed to each other by meeting together on a regular basis to grow together in their love for God in worship, as well as for each other and the world.  Consequently, because the groups are based in homes, these communities of heaven are referred to as "house churches."

What is a House Church?

Quite simply, it is a "church" which meets in a home (Romans 16:5, I Corinthians 16:19).  A church is a term that refers to those who gather to worship God in the name of His Son, Jesus.  It is a name given to the "organization" of the disciples of Jesus Christ, whether gathered or not.  The church is also called the "body of Christ," and is made up of members who all have a specific purpose or function (Romans 12:4f, I Corinthians 12:12f).

Why do we emphasize the use of homes?

By no means are we opposed to using a church facility, but it is not primary to the fulfillment of our Lord's commission.  There is no mandate or emphasis in the New Testament concerning buildings.  Even though there is the mention of the temple and the synagogue, the church primarily met together in homes and grew “from house to house” (Acts 2:46; 5:42; 20:20).

The acquisition of a facility ought never to become a drain upon our energy and resources, or a distraction from our primary mission of making disciples.  We have been blessed with a wonderful building that we can use for worship, prayer, and equipping the saints.  Howev­er, in the case of beginning a new church, homes are more readily avail­able, intimate, and "approachable" than a church building.

If not already, how can you become part of a house church?  You can email me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call the church office and we will be sure to pass your name on to one of our House Church Pastors.  You can also look at the list and call them about attending to confirm the time and location.   You will be in for a wonderful treat.  God bless you.