About.....The Vineyard Church Movement
What is the Vineyard? How did it start and why?
"A vineyard of wine, sing of it! I, the Lord, am its keeper; I water it every moment lest anyone damage it; I guard it day and night."
This scripture, from Isaiah 27, was what God brought to the mind of American pastor Kenn Gulliksenn, who in 1977 was in the process of developing a new church in California. Kenn had gathered together many people who were a mixture of new converts and older, more disaffected people for whom church had become an arid, religious experience devoid of real life and meaning. All of them were desperate to know more of Jesus, and their initial meetings, in their homes, reflected their honest desire to do away with 'religion' and instead seek God despite all their personal shortcomings and difficulties.
As John & Carol Wimber became connected with this church, eventually taking over the leadership of it, Vineyard churches were becoming known for the power and intimacy of their worship and also for their emphasis on the Kingdom of God. Many people were starting to experience God breaking into their lives, bringing healing, release from emotional pain, deliverance from addictions and aimless lifestyles, and a renewed passion for Jesus, bringing hope and freedom.
Vineyard churches continued to multiply in number and John travelled all over the world teaching the good news of Jesus and the reality of the Kingdom of God - His presence and power breaking through into today's world.
As a result of his many trips to England, the first Vineyard in the UK was planted in South West London in 1987 and today there are 90 Vineyard churches, with hundreds more worldwide. Although all of these churches have their own distinct 'flavour', they all practise the same intimacy in worship, seeking the Kingdom - the transforming power and presence of Jesus. This makes the Vineyard a place of security, encouragement and growth as we continue to pray together "let Your kingdom come!"
