The Vineyard: what is it?

The Foothill Vineyard is one church in a community of churches called the The Vineyard:

A Community of Churches. This is a diverse group of churches that partner together to advance the Kingdom of God by communicating the gospel of Jesus in word and deed. Through many localized expressions, Vineyard churches aim to:

1. Worship God and stand on the ancient truth of Scripture, the guide for faith,

2. Grow as people of both the word and Spirit, imbued with power for the purpose

3. Create reproducing missional communities of worship, discipleship,

4. Serve the Father in the power of the Spirit, following Jesus' holistic and

John Wimber

John Wimber was a founding leader of the Vineyard From the beginning to his death

in 1997, His influence profoundly shaped the theology and practice of Vineyard churches.

He was, in the words of Christianity Toady, 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". By 1970 he was leading 11 Bible studies that involved more than 500 people.

In 1977 John began planted Calvary Chapel of Yorba Linda California. As John and his congregation sought God in intimate worship, they experienced empowerment by the Holy Spirit, significant renewal in the gifts and conversion growth. It became clear that the church's emphasis on the experience of the Holy Spirit was not shared by some of the leaders in the Calvary chapel movement.

In 1982, John and his leadership team left Calvary Chapel and joined a small group of Churches called "Vineyards", a mane chosen by Kenn Gulliksen, a prolific church planter affiliated with Calvary Chapel Leaders from the handful of Vineyard Churches began looking to John for direction -and the Vineyard "movement" was born.

Twenty years later, there are more than 850 Vineyard churches worldwide, and international church planting movement, a publishing house and a music production company. Vineyard worship songs have helped thousands of churches experience intimacy with God.

The History of Foothill Vineyard

The Foothill Vineyard began in 1983 when (former) Senior Pastor Tom Dunn and his wife, Jan, started the church plant with about twenty people.  With little resources and a heart for those in need, Foothill Vineyard was birthed.

After finishing the building project of the new facility at San Dimas Avenue and Foothill Boulevard, Pastor Tom retired.  The church waited on the Lord for the one to take Tom's place as senior pastor.  In 2003, the board and the church warmly welcomed Pastor Mike Barnett to take over the reins and lead them in the new millennium.  Mike has been around the Vineyard church for many years, having been saved during the "Jesus Movement" in the 70's.  Many faces of the ministry have changed during the last 5 years, and the church is growing on a regular basis... both in numbers, in faith, and in a steadfast position in community outreach.

In 2006, Pastor Mike saw a great need for FVC to go to the next level, and began searching for a new assistant pastor and worship pastor.  Through a series of wonderful events, Brian Box and his family moved from Seattle, Washington and became part of the FVC family.  Brian had been a worship leader in various churches in the greater Seattle area, including the Vineyard, since 1991.

Got Questions?

If you'd like to know more about our church, what we believe, how we live out what we believe, and ask some personal questions, we invite you to join us at our next Pastor's Welcome Lunch.  It's usually the last Sunday of each month, and all recent guests and visitors to the church are welcome to join us for this free lunch, filled with an insightful and meaningful time of questions and answers.  Call the church office today and plan to join us this month!  We'd love an opportunity to say hello and get to know you a little more... and let you get to know us as well.