In the 60’s and 70’s when young people were moving to California, often seeking fulfillment through “sex, drugs, and rock & roll,” many of them found Jesus instead. As you can imagine, the established Christian churches were not very welcoming to "long-haired freaky people" who liked rock & roll and who were as passionate about Jesus as the protesters were about the anti-war movement.  There was a large generation gap between these new Christians and the average church.  So, to fill this void, passionate young people began their own Bible studies in homes, on the beach, anywhere they could, in order to learn about and worship Jesus in a way that rang true to them.

Early Baptisms among "Jesus People"

During this time, a man named John Wimber, eventual founder of the Vineyard Movement, was meeting regularly in a home with other Christian leaders, who believed that Christians today are called (by Jesus, through the Bible) to “do the stuff” that Jesus and the disciples did in their day, so this group gathered to “do the stuff” by praying for one another and worshiping God.

 

This group grew to about fifty people in a matter of months, and continued to grow rapidly. Eventually, it became a Calvary Chapel church.  In 1982, that church left the Cavalry Chapel denomination and joined a small group of churches called “Vineyard” which had been started by Kenn and Joanie Gulliksen in the early 1970’s.

 

Kenn Gulliksen

 “In that day— ‘Sing about a fruitful vineyard: I, the LORD, watch over it; I water it continually. I guard it day and night so that no one may harm it.’” Isaiah 27:2-3

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5

 

Vineyard churches began looking to John for direction, and the Vineyard movement was born.  The Vineyard saw rapid growth and began planting churches all over the US and other countries.

In 1997, John Wimber passed away, and Todd Hunter assumed the role of National Director and Board President beginning in January 1998. The Vineyard grew under Hunter’s leadership, planting new churches and concentrating on passing ministry to the next generation of leaders.

In 2000, Bert Waggoner became the National Director of Vineyard USA.

The  Vineyard Today 

 

Since the time of Wimber, the Vineyard has planted hundreds of churches in the United States and abroad. The Vineyard continues to embrace the values held by those who began the movement -- passionate worship, healthy relationships; service to one another, ministry by all members (not just paid pastors), an open and informal style, a spiritual reality based on the Bible, de-emphasizing religious rituals but emphasizing authenticity and being naturally supernatural as we simply follow Jesus and love people.

 

For more information, check out the 25th Anniversary Video , or the Vineyard USA website.