Our Story
AGAPE Word Center Church International is a multicultural and multinational non-denominational church with a passion to develop Agents of Change who purpose to positively impact their world for Jesus Christ, Ambassadors of a living Christ to a dying world.
Established in December 2005 through Pastor Nkhosana D. Chongo (Rev. Cee) and Pastor Angela Chongo in Silver Spring , Maryland , USA , Agape had its first service on January 1, 2006 and was officially launched the weekend of September 15-17th 2006.
At Agape, we believe God in His infinite mercies is ready once again to bring about transformational change in this generation and occupy a strategic position in the hearts of His people.
The Heart of Agape
can be summarized as follows:
- Taking the gospel of Jesus Christ to all nations and make disciples of them as commanded by our Lord Jesus Christ.
- Training the people for the fulfilling of destiny through the teaching and practice of the pure, unadulterated, incorruptible WORD of God.
- To make a positive difference in peoples lives, one life at a time, through the active demonstration of God’s unconditional love (AGAPE) for His people.
- Making ready a people prepared for the Lord
As part of its vision in presenting a living Christ to a dying world, Agape through its outreach efforts is actively involved in the local communities we live in, making a difference in peoples lives, one life at a time. Agape also endeavors to provide access to comprehensive social services for those in economic and social crisis. We seek to enable people in need within our community to more fully support and nurture themselves and their families and further support action that leads to a healthy and caring society, free of the oppression of poverty in its various forms.
Come join us for vibrant praise, passionate worship and powerful preaching and teaching of the Incorruptible Word. We look forward to worshiping with you as we endeavor to faithfully influence the effective discipleship of the body of Christ in this generation, according to the will of God.
Agape's Vision
For every commission, there must be a vision, for without a vision a people would lack the will to achieve the reason for their existence. The vision must therefore be explained with clarity so it can be understood and form the foundation to run with.(Proverbs 29:18)
VISION: To develop Agents of Change for Christ – Raising a community of believers who impact their world for Christ and present a Living Christ to a dying world without compromise.
AWCCI’s corporate goal is to raise Worshippers, who will be Workers in the Lord’s vineyard and are Warriors ready to forcefully advance the kingdom of God in the marketplace. These WWWs are the ones who ultimately become Agents Of Change, making a positive difference for Christ in our generation and beyond.
Purpose of the Vision: Raise a People of SPEED
Agents of Change are:
- Selfless: A people walking in the Agape Love of God 1 Corinthians 13.
- Prayerful & Intercessors: A people affecting their generation through prayer. James 5:16b, Luke 18:1 & 1 Thessalonians 5:17
- Evangelistic: A people winning souls to Christ Act 1:8, Matt 28:18, Acts 8:35
- Empowered: A people spiritually and economically empowered to further the gospel and improve lives. 2 Cor. 9:8-11
- Disciple Makers: A people walking in the Lord’s ways and training others to lead. Ephesians 4:7-16, 2 Timothy 2:2
Agape's Mission
Taking the gospel of Jesus Christ to all nations and make disciples of them as commanded by our Lord Jesus Christ and to make a positive difference in peoples lives, one life at a time, through the active demonstration of Gods unconditional love (AGAPE) for His people.
- To glorify God by making fruitful disciples who worship and exalt God, edify other believers and promote disciple making.
- To fulfill the Great commission by presenting Christ and the AGAPE love of God to dying world, regardless of the circumstances and making disciples of all nations as the Lord gives ability.
- To train the saints for the fulfilling of destiny through the teaching and practice of the pure unadulterated, incorruptible Word of God.
- To make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
Join us Sundays at 9:30AM - 12:30AM
6728A Industrial Dr, Beltsville, MD 20705
Our Core Values
Discover more about our core principles.
Missions
We must make every effort to preach the life-transforming Gospel of Jesus to all nations through all means possible. We seek to inspire commitment to Missions in the lives of Agents of Change.
Selfless Service
We must be committed to walking in the Agape love of God, serving each other and the harvest field selflessly, by being sensitive to each other’s needs and demonstrating Christ in all our dealings. We encourage every Agent of Change to make themselves available for service.
Discipleship
We must be committed to walking in the Lord’s ways and training others to lead, even as we follow Christ.
Excellence
We must be committed to excellence in all our work of ministry, as the excellence of God’s character is reflected on how we do church life. We are committed to raising the standard of excellence in every ministry of the church, using our God given gifts and talents to achieve the plans and purposes of God in our generation.
Unity
We are committed to working together in Unity. We work together as one team, with systemic cohesiveness, for the fulfilment of one common vision, submitting to God and the leadership of the Church.
Leadership
We strive to serve as examples to others in everything we do, demonstrating servant leadership, following Christ’s example.
Integrity
We strive to demonstrate Christ-like character; avoiding hypocrisy in our dealings with each other and those we are called to witness.
Diversity
We must create an environment where staff, ministry workers, and church members are sensitive to other cultures, celebrating our diversities, and focused on cultivating a Kingdom culture in our midst.
Meet Our Pastors
Our Directional Leadership Team works together to shape the vision and direction of Church
Craig Groeschel
Senior Pastor
Jerry Hurley
Pastor, Team Development Leader
Jerry is responsible for the team and cultural development at and helps shape the overall direction and leadership of the church.
Samantha Wiley
Pastor, Innovation Leader
Sam Roberts
Pastor, Campus Leadership
What We believe
Jesus was supernaturally conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of Virgin Mary, and was without sin. He was the vicarious sacrifice of the sin of all mankind through His own glorified body, appeared to many, ascended unto Heaven, and will return to earth in power and glory. He is the Head of His body, the church.
Scripture
The Scripture is the infallible and authoritative Word of God, without error, given for the purpose of directing man to salvation.
Triune God
The Triune GOD consists of the Father; the Son, Jesus Christ; and the Holy Spirit. They are co-existent, co-eternal, and co-equal.
GOD the Father
GOD the Father is the creator of heaven and earth and the sustainer of all things. There is but one God, infinite, eternal and perfect in holiness, truth and love.
GOD the Son
Jesus was supernaturally conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of Virgin Mary, and was without sin. He was the vicarious sacrifice of the sin of all mankind through His own glorified body, appeared to many, ascended unto Heaven, and will return to earth in power and glory. He is the Head of His body, the church.
GOD, the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin, righteousness and judgment, unites man to Jesus Christ in faith, brings about the new birth, and dwells within the believer, enabling him to grow in sanctification and righteousness and become a gift of God to the Church.
Baptism
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is available to all that believe in Jesus Christ and will totally surrender their lives to the complete, perfect will of God.
Fruit of the Holy Spirit
The fruit of the Holy Spirit love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance and the character of God must be evident in the life of every disciple sent forth into all the earth ( Gal 5:22 & 23; Isaiah 11:1 & 2; Rev 1:4; Rev 4:5 and Rev 5:6). Character is the stability of the anointing.
Gifts of the Holy Spirit
The Gifts of the Holy Spirit the word of wisdom, the word of knowledge, faith, gifts of healing, working of miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, diverse kinds of tongues, and the interpretation of tongues are available through the Holy Ghost and are for the Church today.
The Church
The Church is the Body of Christ, whose task it is to take the gospel to all men in all nations and make disciples of them.
Salvation
Salvation is the gift of God through the grace and faith of Jesus Christ. There is no other name except that of Jesus Christ by which men may be saved. By turning from sin to repentance and trusting in Christ and His vicarious death, man is born again unto eternal life by the Holy Spirit.
Man
Man was created in the image and likeness of God. Through the original sin of Adam and Eve, mankind fell from God and became sinful in nature. He is totally incapable of returning to God in himself and is lost without hope, apart from the salvation of Jesus Christ.
Consummation
The Consummation of all things includes the visible personal return of Jesus Christ, the resurrection of the dead, the translation of those alive in Christ into the presence of God, the marriage supper of the Lamb, the Millennial Reign of Christ, and the final judgment.