On August 1, 2004, Pastor Thomas Cunningham founded Hear The Word Bible Church.  At that time, the church opened its doors with 15 believers.

Today, the church has a membership base of 200⁺ followers, 20 active ministries, an Evangelism Pastor, a Minister of Music, Deacons and Deaconesses, a Board of Trustees, Ushers, and live Musicians.

Before the church began, in 2001 Pastor Cunningham held Bible Study classes at the rental office of an apartment complex in Lanham, Maryland.  For two years he and a handful of believers met every Wednesday night to hear him teach and expound on the Word of God.  Feeling led to do more; he took a one-year sabbatical from teaching Bible Study and waited to hear from God.  Intending to Pastor at an already established church, he went thru several interviewing processes until it became apparent to him that God was not opening that type of door.  After seeking the Lord further, he would soon learn that God wanted him to establish and pastor his own church.

After holding worship services at three different locations since 2004 and strongly believing in the vision that God gave him, he knew that one day we would find a facility that we could call our own.  One Sunday morning in July of 2007, Pastor Cunningham asked each member to take a fan and write that day’s date on it.  It was extremely hot and he wanted us to remember where we were so that we would appreciate where we were going.  In July of 2009, he announced to the church that God had led him back to a vacant building that he had looked at before and on July 22, 2009 (his birthday); we signed the lease to hold services where we are worshipping today!

As a Pastor/Teacher, Pastor Cunningham engages the congregation and gives wonderful scenarios that everyone can relate to.  His vision for the church is God-inspired and God-driven and his love for the people of God is evident and real, as he gives unselfishly from his heart.  Our mission statement “We are a Church Where Christ is First and the Spirit of Excellence is Achieved” was inspired by the vision God gave him for the church and is the foundation upon which he firmly believes and stands on.

The insight he shares about his life is inspiring, funny, honest and true, and leaves everyone with a stronger sense of oneness and a commitment to God.  He has the gift and ability to enlighten, motivate, encourage, and bring new insight and clarity to the word of God -- making it come alive with new meaning. We are indeed grateful to God to be under the leadership of such a dynamic Pastor who truly loves the Lord, who labors before Him unceasingly and who seeks His face unconditionally.  We are here today because of his faith and belief in his call to the ministry, and his love for the true Word of God.