Our Story
House of Prayer exists to connect people to Jesus and each other because we each have a purpose.
In the 60s, our church was born out of faith, obedience, and a simple but powerful belief: if God called us to build, He would also provide.
What began with church services in someone’s home grew to quickly become something far greater. In 1976, men and women gave their time, strength, and skills—sawing, hammering, lifting, measuring—but above all, praying. There was no spotlight, no fanfare—just faithful people answering a call and trusting God for what they could not yet see. That year, our humble church building was moved to Brule Guillot where the story begins for what is now.
That season laid more than a physical foundation. It established a spiritual one—built on prayer, sacrifice, and a deep commitment to raising generations who would know and follow the Lord. As Scripture reminds us, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1).
In 1994, God opened an unexpected door in the heart of Thibodaux—one that would become foundational to the story of House of Prayer.
Under the leadership of Bishop Ronnie Melancon, who was serving as Pastor at the time, House of Prayer began pursuing the former Lowe’s building with the vision of making it a permanent home for the church. The original plan was to purchase the building with financing provided directly through Lowe’s. From the beginning, this was a step of faith—believing God for both the place and the provision to secure it.
In December of 1994, God made a way that only He could. Through the generosity of an individual, a $200,000 gift was given, allowing House of Prayer to obtain personal financing through a bank and move forward with the purchase of the building. What once seemed uncertain was suddenly made possible, confirming that God was firmly guiding each step.
Years later, the vision moved from acquisition to transformation. On January 11, 1997, faithful men from the church began the work of converting the building into a house of worship. Exactly one year later, on January 11, 1998, House of Prayer gathered for its first official service in the completed sanctuary.
It was a full-circle moment—faith meeting faithfulness, prayer meeting provision, and obedience aligning perfectly with God’s timing.
Today, we stand in awe of what God has done—and in faith for what He is still doing.
Through decades of obedience, prayer, and faithful leadership, God has grown House of Prayer into a thriving church community, with more than 1,000 people consistently gathering for services. Every week, lives are being changed, families are being strengthened, and hearts are being drawn closer to God.
Yet we believe this is not the destination—it is part of the journey.
God has placed a vision in the heart of our pastor for 7,000 people to be reached, discipled, and sent out for His glory. That vision is not about numbers alone; it is about souls, families, and generations finding hope, healing, and purpose in Christ.
As we continue to grow, we are committed to stewarding what God has entrusted to us—creating space for more people to encounter Him, deepening discipleship, and expanding our reach within our community and beyond. Just as God was faithful in the beginning, we trust Him to be faithful in bringing the vision to completion.
We are grateful for where we are—and expectant for where God is leading us next.
When God opened the door for our expansion, He also made a way we didn’t expect.
Our contractor graciously allowed us to move forward with the project through ten monthly payments of $47,000. That generosity didn’t just make construction possible—it gave us space to walk this season out in faith, together, as a church family.
We see each month not as a burden, but as an opportunity:
an opportunity for provision, for obedience, and for every person who calls this house home to take part in what God is building.
Every gift—large or small—helps us meet one of these monthly milestones and moves us one step closer to completing the work God has entrusted to us. When you give, you’re not just contributing to a project; you’re helping create space for worship, discipleship, prayer, and life-change for years to come.
Thank you for standing with us, believing with us, and building with us.