About House on the Rock

Where we've come from...

In February of 1993 Pastors John and Elena Picarello moved to Staten Island from Brooklyn NY after receiving word from the Lord over the span of many months that God was calling them to start a church.

House on the Rock began as a prayer meeting in the living room of their Staten Island home in February 1994 under the guidance of their Pastor Bishop Joseph G. Mattera. House on the Rock became an outreach center in October of 1995 holding weekly Friday night meetings - leasing space in a dance studio.

Pastor John was licensed and ordained on January 7^th 1996 By Bishop Mattera at Resurrection Church in Brooklyn. In May of that same year Pastor John and His wife were commissioned and sent out to plant House on the Rock as a Church.

The first official Sunday service of House on the Rock was held on May 26^th 1996. On April 6^th 2003 Pastor Elena Picarello was licensed and Ordained with the laying on of hands by the local presbytery of Pastors and Elders.

House on the Rock continues its tradition of sound biblical Christ centered preaching and teaching in a highly relational setting, building an authentic functioning biblical community. With special attention given to restoring families and ministering to children through an array of interactive children’s ministries, House on the Rock makes every effort to foster a warm family atmosphere in all its ministries and services.

Where we're going...

The purpose of House on the Rock is to enable all people to walk with God in the love of Christ through the power of His written word.

In doing this we are enabling people to be consecrated to God, to be connected to the church and committed to the cause of Jesus Christ.

We envision fulfilling our mission and purpose by the following:

We endeavor to bring all people to the saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ, caring for them and leading them into covenant with God and the local church.

We continue to disciple, helping to build and restore families, and releasing all for the blessing of helping others.

We work for the unity of the body of Christ in order to establish God's Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven as stated in the Lord's prayer.

We make every effort to help all people experience intimacy with God through prayer, Worship and the creative arts.

We help build Christ centered relationships through positive godly fellowship.We are working to prepare and place Godly leadership into every facet of society for biblical justice and reformation.

We are teaching and demonstrating biblical principles of stewardship to break poverty so believers can prosper and effect positive change in their communities.