Our Humble Beginnings

Our church began on Sunday, March 19, 1995, with four families meeting in a living room.  Shortly afterward, a steering committee of seven men was formed to lead the fledgling church, and our church was first named Pioneer Bible Church.  The next month, Community Covenant Church graciously allowed us to use their facility for worship services on Sunday afternoons at 2:00 p.m.

Our first public worship service was on Easter Sunday, April 16th. There were 22 adults and 22 children in attendance. Our sophisticated advertising strategy consisted of a small advertisement in “The Springfield Connection”, and a tiny a-frame sign that we faithfully posted on Sydenstricker Road each Sunday afternoon.  We had so little in those early days, but that did not dampen our enthusiasm.  We could hardly wait from one Sunday to the next to see whom God would add to our numbers.

Pastor Kyle was called to serve as Senior Pastor, and began ministry on May 7th. By the end of July, the church had grown to more than 60 people.

What we lacked in the way of people and resources we more than made up for in firm resolve to uphold biblical principles.  Some of those principles include: 

A high view of God: A commitment to Jesus Christ as the only head of the church, to whom along is due our uncompromised loyalty.

A high view of the Word of God: We are convinced that the Scriptures are sufficient for all things that relate to our faith and practice. In our preaching, in our discipleship, in our counseling and in our daily conduct we believe that the sixty-six books of the Word of God provide the complete resource we need to bring every believer to maturity in Christ. 

A high view of Church Leadership: We believe that the offices of elder and deacon in the local church should only be occupied by men who are above reproach, and that decisions governing the church should be made a plurality of elders, each with equal authority.

A high view of the Local Church: The local church is not a corporation to be run with ruthless efficiency by a CEO. Rather, it is the family of God – made up of brothers and sisters in Christ. It is to be characterized by love and compassion, by encouragement and mutual accountability.

From Pioneer Bible to Occoquan Bible Church

We moved to Rockledge Elementary School in Woodbridge, VA and our name was changed to Occoquan Bible Church.  The church continued to grow, and by May of 1997, attendance had doubled to over 120.  At that time, the church moved again to Woodbridge Middle School, and Pete Theodore accepted a call to serve as Associate Pastor.  In 2002, Pastor Pete accepted a call to another church, and Dave Schnittger became the Associate Pastor in 2003.  We added Ben Purves to our pastoral staff as Youth Pastor in 2008.

Building Construction

A building committee was formed in 1999, and in April 2000 the church purchased 3.3 acres on the corner of Old Bridge Road and Springwoods Drive for $200,000.  On November 15th, 2004 ground was broken for our new facility, and 11 months later, on October 16th, we had our first worship service in our new building.

The completion of this building marks the end of a long, nomadic journey of trust in God’s faithfulness, and perseverance in overcoming the obstacles of rented facilities.  Our building has blessed us with new beginnings for expanded influence for Christ, and new opportunities to exercise trust in our faithful God.  Since moving into the building, God has continued to richly bless the ministry of Occoquan Bible Church.  From humble beginnings with four pioneering families, we are currently ministering to over 200 families in Fairfax, Prince William, and Stafford Counties.  To God be the glory, great things He has done!