Our Church Story
Hope Christian Fellowship Church
Hope Christian Fellowship Church (HCFC) was officially formed and incorporated on March 19, 2014. Prior to this time, even without a physical structure in which to worship, Pastors Ronnie Henry and Keith Harris were led by the Holy Spirit to begin the work of developing the ministry of the church, including developing the church’s mission and vision. And on April 16, 2014, they held their first formal planning meeting, which was attended by about thirty people whom God led to join the ministry. Over the next several months, this core group met several days per week to craft policies, procedures and goals while the pastors defined the core values and developed the framework for the church’s constitution and bylaws.
In June of 2014, the group began renovating the church building, which had stood vacant since November 2013 due to the merging of two churches. During this season, the core members willingly gave of their tithes and offerings in order to furnish what would be needed to ready the building for worship. A matching seed was provided by the larger kingdom community. The work of renovating the church building was culminated with a kingdom community effort in July 2014, when more than 100 volunteers participated in remodeling the church building. In about 90 days, the building was completely transformed and ready for worship.
Numerous ministries have been launched since the beginnings of HCFC. We have served as Kingdom citizens throughout Frederick County, the region, the United States and overseas. Our HCFC Bible Institute prepares and equips God’s people through study of His Word, based on personalized, varied, and diverse learning experiences. As the church has grown, HCFC members have remained committed to loving God, loving one another, and serving Frederick County and the world in the name of Jesus Christ.
It’s easy to fit into our diverse congregation, which is a heavenly blend of long-term believers and people who have arrived in Frederick County more recently. We have members of all ages, all backgrounds, and from various cultures and ethnicities, as shown by our strong ministries for youth, young adults and adults! At Hope, we are sowing seeds of Hope, transforming lives and reclaiming the world for the Savior. ALL are welcome here!
Reverend Ronnie L. Henry, Senior Pastor
The Reverend Ronnie L. Henry is a native of Florence, South Carolina. He is the visionary founder and Senior Pastor of Hope Christian Fellowship Church (HCFC) in Adamstown, Maryland, where the divinely granted mission is to sow seeds of Hope, transform lives and reclaim the world for the Savior!
Rev. Henry acknowledged the call to the gospel ministry in 1999, under the leadership of The Reverend Leon Grant, while a member and deacon at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, Rockville, MD. He was licensed to preach at Mt. Calvary in June 2001. He was ordained in April 2004 by the Minister’s Council of the American Baptist Churches of the South.
Rev. Henry holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from South Carolina State University. He holds the Master of Divinity degree from the Samuel D. Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University in Richmond, VA. Rev. Henry is employed as a Senior Cyber Security Engineer by Van Dyke Technology Group of Columbia , MD.
Rev. Henry has been happily married to his high school sweetheart, the former Blanch Gregg, for over 29 years. They have two lovely daughters, Angel Henry, Tiera Sumblin (Brandon) and one grandson, Liam Henry Sumblin. Rev. Henry is a twenty-seven year member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc..
Rev. Henry’s favorite Scripture is Psalm 90. One of his favorite songs is “I’m Still Holding On”. In addition to his relationship with God, he is most thankful for a loving, devoted and committed wife and family, who has taught him, supported him, and most importantly, loved him…unconditionally!
Reverend Dr. Keith R. Harris, Executive Pastor
Reverend Dr. Keith R. Harris is a native of Baltimore, Maryland. He accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior at an early age and was baptized by immersion. Reverend Harris is one of the founding members of Hope Christian Fellowship Church, Adamstown, MD, where he serves as the Executive Pastor. Prior to serving at Hope Christian Fellowship Church, Rev. Harris served at First Missionary Baptist Church, Frederick, MD. It was while at First Missionary that Rev. Harris was licensed to preach the Gospel in 2008, and ordained October 2012.
Rev. Harris has been employed with the Frederick County Public School System since 1990, and currently holds the position of Associate Superintendent. Rev. Harris also teaches in the Graduate School at Hood College and works with doctoral degree candidates at various colleges and universities. In the community, Rev. Harris is the Vice Chair of the Board of Directors for the United Way of Frederick County and is an active member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Rev. Harris holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Hood College, Frederick, MD, a second Master’s Degree in Theological Studies/Pastoral Leadership from the Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary and Graduate School, Lynchburg, VA, an earned Doctorate Degree in Leadership from Nova Southeastern University, Ft. Lauderdale, FL., and an honorary Doctorate Degree in Humane Letters from Hood College.
Rev. Harris is married to his wife of over 30 years, the former Sylvia Yvette Freeman. Together they have six children. He continually thanks and praises God for the great things He has done, is doing, and will continue to do through his family and him. His desire is to let his light so shine before men, that they may see his good works and glorify our Father in Heaven.