On Sunday December 15th, 1985, what was to become known as Koinonia Fellowship had its first Bible study. Of all places, we met at Pudgies Pizza parlor North Goodman Street. The study was in the book of Galatians, and there were 13 people total in attendance. Pastor Ray was sent out by Calvary Chapel Finger Lakes to hold a Bible study that was requested by the owner who wanted to use the facility for the glory of God. There was never any intention of starting a church, but God had other plans.

Within a matter of months, it was evident that the Lord wanted to plant a church, and that He did. The dining room area grew to about 45 people in attendance. It was at that time that we outgrew Pudgies. Next move for Koinonia was renting space from Congregation Shema Israel on North Winton Road; where we continued to see God grow to around 500 saints, including children. At that moment in time, it was necessary for us to seek another home.

God provided that home on 500 Main Street in East Rochester, New York where we continue to meet unto this day. It has been an amazing journey in the Lord. Four men have gone out to start other local churches in Buffalo, Penfield, Irondequoit and Chili. Other men have gone out to start local, Para-church ministries like The Fathers Heart and Rescue and Revive. We have seen overseas ministries planted in India and currently there are saints serving the Lord in Jordan.

Koinonia Fellowship is a Bible teaching church. We teach through the bible book by book, chapter by chapter, and verse by verse. If I were to summarize what Koinonia Fellowship is all about, it would be something like this.

TO KNOW CHRIST- John 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. Knowing Christ is the foundation of our faith. Jesus Christ is The Solid Rock of our salvation. Every believer has the assurance that salvation is a free gift from God and is received by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone, apart from works lest any man should boast. Knowing Christ and passionately seeking Him is what eternal life is.

TO GROW IN CHRIST- 2Peter 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. Growing in Christ is not done in isolation; it is done within a community of believers who love Christ and one another. Our passion is to grow in Christ together as a body. We believe that the Spirit of God places every believer into a local body to be an active, participating member in the body of Christ. We grow by serving one another and by using our God given gifts and talents to build one another up.

TO PROCLAIM CHRIST- Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. Our desire and passion is to reach as many people with the gospel of Jesus Christ across the street, across the county, across the nation, across the world, and across the Internet and television. Every believer has been called by God to be a visible and vocal witness of the gospel of Jesus Christ in the power of The Holy Ghost.

TO BRING GLORY TO GOD- 1Cor 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. We exist as a church to bring glory to God in all that we do. Every believer should be motivated to do all that we do for the glory of God. The only acceptable motives for serving God are His love and for His glory. It is our prayer that this 4 fold vision impacts not only our local church, but our personal lives, our marriages, our vocations and callings.

If you are not currently a part of a local fellowship, we would love you to join us for a Sunday service and consider Koinonia Fellowship to be your home.

Yours in Christ,

Pastor Ray Viola

Growing in Christ is not done in isolation; it is done within a community of believers who love Christ and one another. We grow by serving one another and by using our  gifts and talents to build one another up.

We exist as a church to bring glory to God in all that we do. Every believer should be motivated to do all that we do for the glory of God. The only acceptable motives for serving God are His love and for His glory.