Questions
Answers, without
the runaround.
These are the things people actually type into Google before they type our address into a map. Every one of them gets a real answer here rather than a "we'd love to tell you in person."
The basics
Who we are and when we meet
What denomination is The House Church?
None. The House is an independent, non-denominational Christian church. There's no denominational headquarters above it and no outside body that appoints its pastors — leadership sits with senior pastors Jamey and Nicole VanGelder together with a group of pastoral elders from the congregation.
Doctrinally it belongs to the evangelical and charismatic stream: scripture as the foundation, salvation through Jesus, and an expectation that the Holy Spirit is at work in an ordinary Sunday service. Prayer for healing, prophetic words and speaking in tongues are normal parts of church life here.
Church directories often list it as "evangelical" or "non-denominational," which are both fair descriptions.
What time are the services?
Sundays at 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM Central. The two services are the same; the 11:00 is interpreted in American Sign Language every week. Kids classes for birth through 6th grade run at both.
During the week: House Youth Wednesdays 6:30–8:30 PM, the prayer room Tuesday through Thursday 10 AM–4 PM, and an Encounter service the first Friday of each month, 7–9 PM.
Where are you, exactly?
2024 Rahn Way, Eagan, MN 55122. Just west of Cedar Avenue (MN 77), a few minutes from I-35E, with free parking in the front lot. Around 15 minutes from Burnsville, Apple Valley, Bloomington, Mendota Heights, Rosemount and MSP airport; about 25 from either downtown. Phone: 651-454-6892.
Is there a live stream?
Yes. Sunday services stream live at 9:00 and 11:00 AM Central, and every weekend message is archived afterward. The stream runs on YouTube and Facebook, with the video library on Vimeo. More on the watch page.
Is there a youth group?
Yes — House Youth, for grades 7 through 12, meets every Wednesday of the school year from 6:30 to 8:30 PM in the youth chapel. Games, worship, a message and small groups. Drop off at the kids/youth entrance no earlier than 6:15; pick up by 8:45. Students who drive can park out front.
Every youth leader clears a background check and completes safety training. A parent-signed liability form is required once a year for students under 18. Details here.
Where can I see photos?
The most current photos of Sundays, youth nights and events are on Instagram (@ithehouse) and the church's Facebook page. Google Maps also carries exterior and interior shots from visitors.
Frequently confused
Things that share our name but aren't us
"The House Church" is a common enough name that search results get tangled. Here's the untangling.
Are you part of the "house church movement"?
No. The house church movement is a broad, global pattern of Christians meeting only in homes rather than in dedicated buildings — often a few dozen people around a meal, with no paid staff and no campus. It's a model, not an organization.
The House is a single congregation that owns a building at 2024 Rahn Way in Eagan. "The House" is simply the church's name, chosen around the idea of home. We do run small groups that meet in members' homes across the metro, but Sunday happens on campus.
What is "the house church myth"?
That phrase belongs to a long-running theological argument, not to this church. It's shorthand used by writers on both sides of a debate over whether the New Testament requires churches to meet in homes.
One side argues the early church met almost entirely in houses and that buildings were a later drift. The other argues that first-century Christians also gathered in the temple courts, synagogues and rented halls, so "houses only" reads a preference back into the text. People calling it a "myth" are usually pushing back on one of those claims — which one depends on who's writing.
Either way, it's a conversation about church history and ecclesiology, and searching it will not tell you anything about a church in Eagan, Minnesota.
Are you The House Church in Modesto, California?
No. That's a separate, unaffiliated congregation roughly 1,900 miles away. There's no shared leadership, no network, no relationship — just a shared name. Same goes for the many other churches called The House, The House of Prayer, or The Potter's House around the country.
What about "The House" in Rogers?
Also not us. Several businesses and venues around the country trade under the name "The House," including in Rogers, Minnesota. This church has one location: Eagan.
The ones nobody puts on a church website
Fair questions, answered straight
What do the reviews say?
Better than most, and specific about why. The church holds roughly 4.9 stars across about 145 Google reviews. The recurring words are welcoming, authentic, multi-generational and Spirit-filled, and a striking number come from people who walked in as visitors or skeptics and stayed.
The criticism is worth reading too, because it's consistent. Worship here is charismatic and expressive — prayer over strangers, hands raised, room made for the Holy Spirit — and visitors who arrived expecting something quieter have said it felt intense. That's not a flaw being hidden; it's the actual character of the room, and knowing it in advance is the difference between a strange first visit and a good one.
The other repeated note: email doesn't always get answered. If you need a response, call 651-454-6892.
Will anyone put pressure on me?
There's no visitor stand-up, no required connection card, and no expectation that a guest gives to the offering. If someone offers to pray for you and you'd rather not, "no thanks" ends it — and it should end it without a follow-up. If that isn't your experience, tell the office. That's worth knowing about.
Where does the church stand on social and political questions?
The House doesn't publish position statements on contested social or political issues. Teaching stays close to scripture, personal spiritual life and family. If a particular issue would shape whether this is a fit for you, call the office and ask a pastor directly — you'll get a clearer answer from a person than from any website, including this one.
Do I have to become a member?
No. People attend for years without any formal step. Communion is open to everyone in the room, and small groups and serving teams are open to anyone willing to show up consistently.
How is the money handled?
Giving runs through Church Center, the church's giving and registration platform, and there's a financial director on staff. There's also an active building campaign — the coffee shop, expanded prayer and gathering space, and renovations. If you want specifics on the budget before you give, ask the office; a church that won't answer that question is telling you something.
Still stuck
Ask a person
Call 651-454-6892 during the week, or send a prayer request or question through the church's own form. If you'd rather just show up and see for yourself, that works too.