The Association of Vineyard Churches is one of the fastest growing church-planting movements in the world. The Vineyard story is about ordinary people who worship and serve an extraordinary God. The Vineyard is simply one thread in the rich tapestry of the historic and global church of Jesus Christ, but it is a thread of God's weaving. From the beginning, Vineyard pastors and leaders have sought to hold in tension the biblical doctrines of the Christian faith with an ardent pursuit of the present day work of the Spirit of God. Maintaining that balance is never easy in the midst of rapid growth and renewal.

In 1974, after working as an assistant pastor at Calvary Chapel in Costa Mesa, California and planting a church called Jesus Chapel in El Paso, Texas, Kenn and Joannie Gulliksen moved to Los Angeles to begin a ministry that had been on their hearts for several years.

Starting as a small Bible Study the fellowship grew very quickly, necessitating the beginning of other home studies, and the beginning of a Sunday morning worship service in Beverly Hills. Musicians, actors, business people, students, people simply hungry to know, experience, and share God came together in small groups and large meetings, as literally thousands received Jesus. God graciously worked through the many mistakes and failures as well as the successes, as people were willing to take risks to become like Jesus, and to communicate the Good News. Several couples went out and began other Vineyards, quickly growing churches with priorities of worship, relationship, healing, training and giving.

John Wimber was a founding leader of the Vineyard. His influence profoundly shaped the theology and practice of Vineyard churches. When John was conscripted by God he was, in the words of Christianity Today, a "beer-guzzling, drug abusing pop musician, who was converted at the age of 29 while chain-smoking his way through a Quaker-led Bible study" (Christianity Today, editorial, Feb. 9, 1998).

In John's first decade as a Christian he led hundreds of people to Christ. In 1970 he was leading 11 Bible studies that involved more than 500 people. As he became more convinced of God’s desire to be active in the world through all the biblical gifts of the Spirit, John began to teach and train his church to imitate Jesus’ full orbed kingdom ministry. He began to "do the stuff" of the Bible he had formerly only read about.

Growth

As a result, the Vineyard has reached out to bless, encourage and plant churches internationally. There are now (May 2002) about 850 + Vineyards worldwide. God, however, has shown us not to seek to build the Vineyard, but to seek His Kingdom and to build His church, to bless what He is blessing, to love what He loves, and to give ourselves away freely. We want to be like Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit. Our plan is to seek God and to cooperate with Him as He reveals Himself in the process.

In November of 1997, John went home to be with the Lord after suffering a fatal brain aneurysm, leaving behind a congregation of five thousand people and an association of churches reaching more than a hundred thousand people. Since then Todd Hunter served as Director of AVC (until July 2000), followed by Bert Waggoner who moved the national office to Stafford, Texas and is currently the Director of the Association of Vineyard Churches.

The Vineyard's journey has not been a straight path. It winds through many trials and triumphs. If you're interested in more, we recommend Bill Jackson’s book, "The Quest for the Radical Middle". This readable history explores the events, issues and people who shaped the Vineyard in its first two decades.

The Vineyard Metrowest

The Vineyard Metrowest of Framingham, MA., is one of the 850 + Vineyard church plants. Kenn and Joannie Gulliksen came to the Boston - Metrowest area in August of 1984, with a vision to gather and heal, train, and send out thousands of people who were like "sheep without a shepherd." Their desire was to help other churches with a similar burden to minister God's love and healing to New England and the Northeast.

The church rapidly grew based on the vision of reaching New England and the Northeast for Christ. From meeting rooms in local hotels to school auditoriums, the Shoppers World Cinema, and finally to our current home in the Framingham Technology Park, the church continued to grow and develop. Now with Randy Chase as the pastor and primary leader of the Vineyard Metrowest, the church’s vision is beginning to bloom. Check out our mission, vision, and beliefs to learn more.

Back to About the Vineyard and the Vineyard Genetic code

For more information about the Vineyard, check out the Vineyard International Consortium website and the Vineyard USA website