Our Mission

Overflow City Church began with a vision for the 6 million lives that live in the DC Metropolitan area to Encounter God, Discover Purpose, and Make a Difference. Over the years, we have grown into a vibrant community dedicated to serving God.

BeliefsValues

Our Values

These values define our identity and guide every decision we make. They're woven into the very fabric of who we are as a church.

Prayer

We believe that prayer is our lifeline. It's what enables us to move, serve, and be the Church God has called us to be.

Servanthood

We exist to serve others with humility and love. Every action we take reflects Christ's heart for people in our community

Generosity

We give freely of our time, talents, and treasures. Generosity flows from grateful hearts that recognize God's abundant blessings.

Excellence

We pursue excellence in everything we do. Our commitment to quality reflects our desire to honor God in all things.

Community

We believe life is better together. Authentic relationships and genuine fellowship are essential to our spiritual growth and joy.

Discipleship

We are committed to growing in Christ. Making disciples who make disciples is at the heart of our mission and calling.

Our Lead Pastors

Paul & Christina

Picture of Pastor Paul and Christina standing next to each other

Paul and Christina Hanfere are the Lead Pastors of Overflow City Church in Silver Spring, Maryland, which they planted in 2016. Their journey into ministry began when Paul left his successful career as a project manager at Dell after feeling God's clear call to full-time ministry. What started as leading a young adult multiethnic service grew into a vision for church planting when Paul experienced a powerful encounter with God, seeing "the distinct faces of people I had never met" and hearing God say, "I want you to gather My lost sons and daughters."

Christina brings a unique international perspective to their ministry, having been born and raised in Athens, Greece, before moving to Canada at age 11. With over ten years in ministry and three years as a full-time pastor, she is passionate about discipleship and strengthening marriages. Since 2018, she has been certified in premarital counseling, working with couples across the country from her conviction that "a healthy society begins with healthy families, and healthy families begin with healthy marriages."

Together, Paul and Christina lead with the belief that "there is no such thing as a successful church in an unsuccessful community." Their heart is to see the gospel transform lives in the Greater Washington D.C. area, addressing the deep needs of one of the nation's most educated yet struggling regions. From their remarkable launch Sunday with 431 attendees to their ongoing commitment to discipleship and community transformation, the Hanferes continue to gather God's lost sons and daughters with passion and purpose.

Meet the Team

Andreas Galatis preaching

Andreas Galatis

Operations Director
Headshot of Zema Meseratu

Zema Meseretu

Communications Director
Headshot of Betlhem Biratu

Betlhem Biratu

Next Gen Director
Headshot of Meklit Girma

Meklit Girma

Prayer Coordinator
Headshot of Kelli Blackmon

Kelli Blackmon

Outreach Coordinator

Our Beliefs

Jesus Christ is the Son of God
Jesus Christ is God the Son, the second person of the Trinity. On earth, Jesus was 100% God and 100% man. He is the only man ever to have lived a sinless life. He was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, performed miracles, died on the cross for mankind and thus, atoned for our sins through the shedding of His blood. He rose from the dead on the third day according to the Scriptures, ascended to the right hand of the Father, and will return again in power and glory (John 1:1,14, 20:28; I Timothy 3:16; Isaiah 9:6; Philippians 2:5-6; I Timothy 2:5).
The Holy Bible
The Holy Bible, and only the Bible, is the authoritative Word of God. It alone is the final authority in determining all doctrinal truths. In its original writing, it is inspired, infallible and inerrant (II Timothy 3:16; II Peter 1:20-21; Proverbs 30:5; Romans 16:25-26).
The Trinity
There is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. These three are coequal and co-eternal (I John 5:7; Genesis 1:26; Matthew 3:16-17, 28:19; Luke 1:35; Isaiah 9:6; Hebrews 3:7-11).
Salvation
We are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ: His death, burial, and resurrection. Salvation is a gift from God, not a result of our good works or of any human efforts (Ephesians 2:8-9; Galatians 2:16, 3:8; Titus 3:5; Romans 10:9-10; Acts 16:31; Hebrews 9:22).
Redemption
Man was created good and upright, but by voluntary transgression he fell; his only hope of redemption is in Jesus Christ, the Son of God (Gen. 1:26-31, 3:1-7; Romans 5:12-21).
Sanctification
Sanctification is the ongoing process of yielding to God’s Word and His Spirit in order to complete the development of Christ's character in us. It is through the present ministry of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God that the Christian is enabled to live a Godly life (I Thessalonians 4:3, 5:23; II Corinthians 3:18, 6:14-18, II Thessalonians 2:1-3, Romans 8:29, 12:1-2, Hebrews 2:11).
Resurrection
Jesus Christ was physically resurrected from the dead in a glorified body three days after His death on the cross. In addition, both the saved and the lost will be resurrected; they that are saved to the resurrection of life and they that are lost to the resurrection of eternal damnation (Luke 24:16, 36, 39; John 2:19-21, 20:26-28, 21:4; Acts 24:15; I Corinthians 15:42, 44; Philippians 1:21-23, 3:21).
Second Coming
Jesus Christ will physically and visibly return to earth for the second time to establish His Kingdom. This will occur at a date undisclosed by the Scriptures (Matthew 24:30, 26:63-64; Acts 1:9-11; I Thessalonians 4:15-17; II Thessalonians 1:7-8; Revelation 1:7).
Water Baptism
Following faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the new convert is commanded by the Word of God to be baptized in water in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38; Mark 16:16; Acts 8:12, 36-38; 10:47-48).
The Lord's Supper
A unique time of communion in the presence of God when the elements of bread and grape juice (the Body and Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ) are taken in remembrance of Jesus' sacrifice on the Cross (Matthew 26:26-29; I Corinthians 10:16, 11:23-25).
Marriage
We believe marriage is defined in the Bible as a covenant, a sacred bond between one man and one woman, instituted by and publicly entered into before God (Matthew 19:4-6).
People will exist eternally with or without God
People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life in Heaven. Heaven and hell are real places of eternal existence.
8633 Colesville Rd,
Silver Spring, MD 20910
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