Pastor Thomas E. Cunningham
Born in Washington, D.C., Rev. Thomas Cunningham was raised in a God-fearing home with two brothers and four sisters. At the age of 13, he accepted Jesus Christ as his personal savor. Later in his life, he strayed away from the Christian faith and began studying the Muslim religion. His experience with that faith, however, soon led him back to the Gospel of truth. In 1995 he joined Mt. Calvary Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Charles E. Cato, Sr. He recognized God's call on his life and his call to the ministry in 1994, became a licensed minister in 1997, and was ordained a Pastor in 2000.
In August of 2001, Rev. Cunningham began holding Bible Study classes at the rental office of an apartment complex in Lanham, MD. For two years he and a handful of faithful believers met every Wednesday night to hear him teach and expound the word of God with diligence, compassion, and conviction. Rev. Cunningham enjoyed teaching God's word to anyone who would give an ear, and as word got out, others were eager to hear him preach and wanted to visit his church. Unfortunately, his church did not exist at that time. With a yearning in his heart to know what God wanted him to do, Rev. Cunningham took a one-year sabbatical from teaching Bible Study in order that he might draw closer to God and hear from Him about his next move. During the time that he waited to hear from God, he was asked to preach at many different churches throughout the area. When God began to talk to Rev. Cunningham about establishing a church, he went through several interviewing processes with the intent to pastor at someone else's church. But this was not what God had in mind.
In 2004, almost one year to the date that he began his sabbatical, he founded Hear The Word Bible Church, a non-denominational house of worship where he preaches, teaches, and ministers the love of God. The church opened its doors with a membership of 15 believers and two active ministries. Today, the church has a membership base of 200+ followers and more than 15 active ministries, including his premarital/marital counseling ministry. Some of the other ministries include: "The Coffee House" a women's ministry, "Men-at-Work" a brotherhood ministry, "Never Alone" a singles ministry, "It Takes Two" a couples ministry, "Go Fish" an outreach ministry, and "Graceful Praise" a dance ministry.
Rev. Cunningham is also the founder of T.C. Community Development Services, Inc., a non-profit charitable organization. His passion is evangelism and educating saints. His book ministry has donated thousands of dollars in books in the MD, DC,VA area, as well as South America and Africa. He is a man that knows God, seeks God, labors before God, and preaches the Word of God. He has a passion for the souls of the people and the church, and preaches God's word with love and conviction.
Rev. Cunningham studied religion at Washington Bible College. He has a Bachelor's degree in Theology and is currently pursuing his Masters in Ministry. He now feels that God is enlarging his territory, thus preparing him for a greater ministry.
