Vineyard History
The River is part of the Vineyard Christian Fellowship, a vibrant, fast-growing association of churches worldwide known for helping people find a fresh experience with God in an informal, contemporary setting.
The reason many members join the Vineyard is because it is culturally current, flexible and continually refreshing.
The Vineyard movement began in 1974 when a young man named Kenn Gulliksen led a small fellowship of burned-out Christians in the Los Angeles area. Frustrated with their church experiences, they focused on the goals of worship, relationship and healing, and experiencing God as a living, life-changing force and not just a theory.
By 1982, the rapidly expanding group joined up with a young pastor named John Wimber. In the words of Christianity Today, John was 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." John Wimber led thousands of people to Christ through real experiences of God, revolutionizing worship through contemporary songs, and empowering people to explore a spiritual relationship with an exciting, living God.
The Vineyard movement continued to flourish, attracting people from all walks of life, from famous musicians like Bob Dylan and the Eagles to everyday individuals seeking a deeper relationship with God. Today, the Vineyard movement consists of over 1500 churches worldwide, including over 600 churches in the U.S., a publishing house and a music production company.
The reason many members join the Vineyard is because it is culturally current, flexible, and continually refreshing. Vineyard churches are known for their low-key, low-pressure environment that encourages people to "come as you are". Vineyard songs are now sung worldwide, supporting the Vineyard's vision to bless and encourage as many churches and denominations as possible.
