The founding pastors (the late Rev. Iluminado Marrero and his wife Luisa) received a prophetic word in 1976 that the Lord would build a great work through their ministry. They never imagined that it would have come this far, yet here we are more than 30 years later, a growing ministry armed with the vision to declare the praises (life, love and power) of God to the nations of the world.
Pastor Gilbert and Eileen Silva came on board as full-time pastors at House of Praise International Church in 1991. Since then the ministry has expanded to include a new church plant,and supports missions around the world. The last three decades have been an incredible journey for our church family. We want to express our sincerest gratitude to everyone who consistently labored in prayers and service throughout the years to make the vision of the house a reality. We couldn’t have done it without you!
We celebrate what God has done in and through his people at House of Praise International Church and to look forward with even greater anticipation to the journey that is it yet to come!
House of Praise International Church is called to show forth (declare and make known) the praises (life, love and power) of God to the nations of the world.
"This people I have formed for Myself; they shall declare My praise." (Isaiah 43:21)
To reach people with the gospel of Christ connecting them to the local church, and equipping them to serve their local communities.
The Bible, as originally given, is the inspired Word of God. We accept it as our infallible guide in matters pertaining to conduct and doctrine.(2 Timothy 3:16; 1 Thessalonians 2:13, 2Peter1:21)
The Eternal Godhead who has revealed Himself as ONE God existing in THREE persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit; distinguishable and co-equal, but indivisible. (Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; 1John 5:7)
The Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, completely God and completely man. He came to this earth, died, was buried and rose again the third day. (Isaiah 9:6; Luke 1:26-35; John 1:18; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4; Acts 1:3)
Man is a created being, made in the likeness and the image of God, but through Adam's transgression and fall, sin came into the world. “All have sinned and fall short of God’s glorious standard” (Romans 3:10 & 23). Jesus died on the cross and shed His blood to redeem us from the power of sin and to restore us back to God. (Romans 5:11-18; 1John 3:8; Colossians 1:1)
Jesus taught that unless a man becomes born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God (John 3:3). Salvation is the gift of God and is received upon confession of sin and belief with the heart in the perfect and sufficient work of the cross of Christ. (Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 10:9-10)
The Bible teaches that without holiness no man can see the Lord. We believe in the Doctrine of Sanctification as a definite, yet progressive work of grace. (Hebrews 12:14; 2 Peter 3:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; 1 Corinthians 1:30; 2 Corinthians 3:18)
Healing is for the physical ills of the human body and is worked by the power of God through the prayer of faith, and by the laying of hands. It is provided for in the atonement of Christ, and is the privilege of every member of the Church today. (Mark 16:18; James 5:14-25; 1Peter 2:24; Matthew8:17; Isaiah53:4,5)
Baptism in water is by immersion, is a direct commandment of our Lord, and is for believers only. The ordinance is a symbol of the Christian’s identification with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection. (Matthew 28:19; Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:12)
The Baptism in the Holy Ghost and fire is a gift from God as promised by the Lord Jesus Christ to all believers in this dispensation and is received subsequent to the new birth. This experience is accompanied by the initial evidence of speaking in other tongues as the Holy Spirit Himself gives utterance. (Matthew 3:11; John 7:38-39; John 14:16,17; Acts 1:8; Acts 2:38,39; Acts 19:1-7)
The angels said to Jesus’ disciples, “This same Jesus shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:11) His coming is imminent. When He comes, “the dead in Christ shall rise first; then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air...” (1 Thessalonians 4:16,17). Following the Tribulation, He shall return to earth as King of kings, and Lord of lords, and together with His saints, who shall be kings and priests, He shall reign a thousand years. (Revelation 20:6)
The one who physically dies in his sins without accepting Christ is hopelessly and eternally lost in the Lake of Fire and, therefore, has no further opportunity of hearing the Gospel of repentance. (Hebrews 9:27; Revelation 19:20)
The following are a brief description of the fourteen core values we have established that represent our commitment to God’s will, vision for our church and our community of faith. These also represent the philosophy of ministry to which we are committed.
- We are building our church on God’s purpose and pattern, as found in the Holy Scriptures.
- We are devoted to personal and corporate prayer and intercession.
- We are dependent on the direction, witness and empowerment of the Holy Spirit for effective ministry.
- We embrace the presence of God in all our gatherings by worshipping in spirit and in truth.
- We place worth and value on the home as an institution of God.
- We are propagating the Christian faith in relevant ways to future generations.
- We are committed to bringing people to a maturity of “Loving God and serving people”. We have established small groups as our way of accomplishing that mission.
- We are obeying our biblical mandate to share the gospel – first in our city, then to the ends of the earth.
- We are committed to one another in the spirit of Christian love, unity and fellowship.
- We are establishing our church on foundations of Christian character and personal holiness.
- We are committed to building up people’s lives through biblical edification and encouragement.
- We believe God prospers His people for the purpose of extending His Kingdom.
- We trust in the power of God in restoring people’s lives – spirit, soul and body.
- We are a people of every cultural background joined together in a united sense of divine mission.
9:00 AM & 11:00 AM English
1:00 PM Spanish
Sunday Night 6:00 PM
Friday 6:00 PM
4321 Elyria Ave.
Lorain, OH 44055
1875 North Ridge Road Suite C.
Lorain, OH 44055
440.233.6433 (phone)
440.233.5688 (fax)