news article

Beyond the Pews: House Churches—Faith, Connection, and Transformation in Everyday Spaces

November 17, 2025 / By The Rev. Andrew Sperry / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

When the world shut down in 2020, Calvary United Methodist Church in Latham, NY, found itself asking the same question many congregations did: How do we stay connected when we can’t gather in the sanctuary? Out of that longing for connection, a new kind of community began to form—one that has not only endured but thrived.

Born in the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, Calvary UMC’s House Church Ministry began as a practical response to isolation, inspired by a similar model developed by the Rev. Rachel Dupont. The idea was simple: create small, worshiping communities that could meet safely in homes or on Zoom to share scripture, prayer, and life together. What started as a necessity has now become one of the church’s most vital ministries, embodying what it means to live beyond the pews.

Today, Calvary UMC supports five active House Churches with more than 45 participants, each gathering weekly to worship, study, and support one another. While the format varies—from living rooms to laptops—the impact is unmistakable. These small communities have become spaces of deep spiritual formation, honest conversation, and compassionate accountability.

“Meeting midweek in a small group helps me stay grounded in my faith throughout the week,” shares Lisa Drake, Calvary’s House Church Ministry Coordinator. “Talking and sharing my faith strengthens my soul. I’ve gotten to know the participants at a much deeper level.”

Lisa leads two groups, The Grateful Ten and Wednesday Worshipers, and has witnessed first-hand how the ministry nurtures both spiritual and missional growth. “I see House Church participants volunteering in new ways, both inside and outside the church walls,” she adds. “They’re becoming the hands and feet of Christ in our community.”

For many participants, the intimacy of a home or the accessibility of a Zoom screen creates a unique kind of sacred space. Kathy Nord, who leads the Home But Not Alone House Church, says she was initially hesitant to join—but what she found changed her faith.

“I had no idea the impact House Church would have on my spiritual growth,” Kathy says. “It’s where I’ve learned the power of prayer and seen God’s goodness in action. We’ve laughed, cried, and prayed together—and I’ve experienced God’s love through the relationships we’ve built.”

These relationships extend far beyond the weekly gatherings. When a member of Kathy’s group faced a cancer diagnosis, the group became a lifeline of prayer and support. In another group, a member in Arizona joins regularly via Zoom, staying connected to her Calvary family across the miles.

“House Church gave me comfort when I was diagnosed with breast cancer,” shared one member. “It’s a safe place to cry, to pray, and to be encouraged.”

For others, like Rita Pickett, who leads a Thursday evening House Church, the ministry is both deeply personal and outwardly focused. “We’ve become a covenantal group,” Rita says. “We explore scripture together, we serve together, and our children lead us in prayer. We’ve even brought House Church ‘on the road,’ visiting senior members and supporting mission projects like UMCOR and Red Bird Mission.”

Each group follows a covenant for accountability, emphasizing spiritual growth through goal setting, prayer, service, and simple, supportive accountability. Participants are encouraged to reflect on their faith journeys and commit to practical discipleship—whether it’s praying daily, volunteering, or reaching out to someone in need.

At its heart, Calvary’s House Church Ministry is about transformation. It transforms living rooms into sanctuaries, conversations into confessions of faith, and friendships into fellowships of discipleship.

“House Church is interactive worship with God and each other,” Rita adds. “We don’t just hear the Word—we live it, question it, and apply it together.”

This ministry reflects the early church model and represents the future of congregational life together. House Churches remind us that church isn’t confined to a building. it’s about people growing together in grace and truth—becoming the church wherever they are.

As Calvary continues to grow its network of House Churches, one thing is clear: faith thrives in community. Whether gathered around a kitchen table or connected through a screen, Calvary’s members are living proof that God’s Spirit moves powerfully beyond the pews.