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     The Awakening Church is a Spirit-filled and empowered evangelical non-denominational church that meets in homes. We are “one church, many homes” meaning we are one local church who meet in various homes. We unite around Jesus, relationships, doctrine, and common values. We long to see disciples made through hearts spiritually awakened to Jesus. Making disciples is our DNA.

     The Awakening Church exists for the purpose of training, teaching, and equipping the saints for the work of the ministry and missions, and to help her mature in Christlikeness. Our heart is to see a spiritual awakening in the hearts and lives of Christians. We are a church for the spiritually hungry and thirsty. We seek to empower both men and women to fulfill God’s calling on their lives in the fullness of the Holy Spirit.

     We are a Spirit and Word church in that we merge both the Spirit of God and the Holy Scriptures together. We are passionate about both! We do not believe these are meant to be in competition with one another but rather to complement one another. We have a passion for both practicing spiritual gifts (including the supernatural ones) and moving in the miracle-working power of the Holy Spirit, while at the same time having a robust biblical theology.      

     We gather together in homes centered around a minimum of four practices as outlined in Acts 2:42 – 1) the apostle’s teaching (Scripture), 2) fellowship, 3) food, and 4) prayer. These are the minimum practices, but some house churches will additionally sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, and whatever else the Holy Spirit might lead them to do. There is a lot of freedom in the house church structure!

     The Awakening Church meets in homes for several reasons. We believe the home is ideal for authenticity. There is no religious feel to a living room and dining room. It has a more comfortable and casual feel for people, so guards can be let down more easily.

     The home is also ideal for connection because it is small. It is great for developing strong and intimate relationships because people get to really know one another. Having a meal together is a great way to connect in fellowship.

     Homes are also ideal for church discipline. When a local church is small, people can’t live a hidden life of sin for long. Sin will eventually be exposed, and it can be dealt with and repented of quickly, so the church is not polluted and compromised. Accountability flourishes in a small church.

     Homes are also ideal for participation. Our house church services allow everyone to participate in their spiritual gifts to edify one another. Everyone can participate instead of just a few people. Everyone gets to play!

     Homes are also ideal because the money collected doesn’t go toward a building, its utilities, or its upkeep. The money can go directly to the people (who are the church) to help meet needs and to missions.

     The church meeting in houses is also biblical. The church regularly met in homes throughout the New Testament (buildings weren’t used for local churches until the third century AD). The Bible does not command us to meet in homes, but that’s what the early church practiced (it’s descriptive and not prescriptive in the Scriptures).

     We believe the house church model is more effective in reaching the lost than most traditional church models. House churches multiply fast because they are easier to start up without the overhead cost and simple in their structure. Homes become missionary hubs, making Gospel declaration and discipleship part of daily neighborhood life.

     House church is also a great blessing for elders. Normally, churches that meet in buildings are led by senior pastors, who can shepherd large numbers of people (sometimes hundreds or even thousands). It’s a great challenge to shepherd a large church. House churches, on the other hand, typically range from 5 to 20 people. Therefore, it’s much easier for elders to know the sheep and minister to, serve, and shepherd them.

     Finally, meeting in homes is ideal in a persecuted environment. When the church is persecuted, house churches flourish, whereas churches meeting in buildings will not. These are some of the main reasons we have decided to switch from meeting in a building to meeting in homes, although we are not legalistic about it and do not judge any other churches that meet in buildings. 

     “So, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart.” – Acts 2:46