I started coming to the Vineyard in January of 1997 because someone invited me .  My husband is in the Air National Guard  and was going on a three month deployment to Saudi Arabia at that time.  We were atttending another church, but had not connected like we should.  As I started coming to the services, I thought, “I hope my husband will like it here.”, because I did.   I loved the worship and all the teachings.  My kids were young and loved children’s ministry.

I stepped out of my comfort zone and went to a women’s morning Bible study.  At the end there was some ministry time and because my husband had been gone for about a month, my emotions let go and I started to cry.  Even though I was embarrassed, I felt a peace and comfort from God and with the women who had befriended me.  Well, I had been writing my husband about the church and everything that we were doing, and when he got back and started coming, he loved it too (yea)!

I first volunteered for the children’s Vacation Bible School and then in other areas as well.  The Vineyard helped me see the gifts God had given me and that each one of them was important and could be used for God’s Kingdom.  I have been a small group hostess and leader and have served in Women’s Ministry for several years and now work part-time in Women’s Ministry.

The Vineyard has been such an important part of my familiy’s life, so I am so thankful to the person who invited me here.  I have seen my children get such a strong foundation with the Lord and we have all found great friends here.  I hope that you will be blessed as much as I have been by being a part of the Vineyard and I pray God reveals your gifts and talents to use for His Kingdom.

Love ya, Connie

I came to the Vineyard about 10 years ago.  Prior to that God had really gotten a hold of me and I was searching for a church where I could grow and learn.  A couple friends attended Vineyard North Phoenix one Sunday evening which ended up being a worship/celebration service.  They came back from the service with glowing reviews about the music and worship and there was even a prophecy given they felt was for them.  So the next Sunday evening I went to check it out and I was hooked, but did not feel released from my old church yet.  So I attended Vineyard on Sunday evenings for a number of months and when the Saturday evening services started I began attending then also.

I took the ministry training class and really liked the explanation of the Kingdom of God (the now and the not yet), and I still do.  Also, I was very drawn to how genuine and nice everyone was, as well as the can do attitude of those I met. I wanted more of that in my life.

The cincher was the big Easter service on the new land (where VCNP now sits).  It was very cool worshiping in a huge tent on this land.  But at the Sunday night service I really felt like I was home.  And little did I know at that time Vineyard would become my second home and family.

How did you come to Vineyard North Phoenix?  We’d love to hear; just click on comment below.

Blessings,

Susan Williams

In 1997, my husband Ron and I, along with our three small children, moved from Chicago to Peoria.  Our pastor back in Illinois encouraged us to attend Vineyard of North Phoenix.  Back then, the church was located on 43^rd Avenue and Olive.  I remember walking into the sanctuary for the first time and feeling a little put off by the bunches of dried chili peppers that hung from columns inside the building, but I figured I’d eventually get over the culture shock and should give this new congregation an honest try. 

After the service, we thought we should introduce ourselves to our new pastor.  Brian was busy talking with another couple, so we approached his wife, Thora, who was standing next to him.

“Hello,” my husband started, “we just moved here from Chicago and…”  But he never finished the sentence.

Imagine our surprise when Thora turned around and said, “Hey, Brian, the couple from Illinois is here.”

To which Brian replied, “Ron and Ana?”

Our mouths dropped so wide, our jaws about dislocated.  How in the world did they know who we were!

Later Brian told us that Pastor John, from Illinois, had called him to let him know we would be visiting his church.  But, still, it was a very poignant and pleasant welcome into our new church.

Our family plugged in right away.  That is the beauty of the Vineyard – it offers everyone a place to serve and belong.  We joined a family Small Group, where we could bring our kids along (which was great, since we didn’t know a soul in this city!)

A year later, my husband and I began serving as Small Group leaders and in Children’s Ministries.  I also started attending the Women’s Bible Study.  I discovered a passion for women’s ministries, especially in the area of Bible teaching.  I became a women’s Care Group leader and started speaking during Women’s Ministry events.  Presently, I am involved in “Girl Talk”— our Women’s Evening Bible Study. (By the way, come check it out if you haven’t yet.  You will love it!)

Looking back to that first day I came to Vineyard of North Phoenix always brings a smile to my face.  Throughout the past 11 years my family has grown, faced losses and struggles as well as incredible joys, but it would never be the same without having been a part of the Vineyard.  What great encouragement, what support, what acceptance our church family has offered to us!  Boy, am I glad a few chili peppers didn’t keep me from this blessing!

I am looking forward to getting to know more of you ladies through the Vineyard Women’s blog.  Believe me, it will be my pleasure!

As we begin our Women’s Ministry blog, we decided to start, we should share how we came to the Vineyard.  I’m always interested to know how people found their way to our church, and hopefully you are too.

Before our family ever joined the church, I knew about the Vineyard because some friends attended sporadically and loved the Vacation Bible School.  We were attending a small church in Phoenix, and I had just been hired as the children’s ministry director, in a very part-time position.  Other than teaching Sunday school, I didn’t have much experience with children’s ministry.  Since my friend’s loved the Vineyard’s children’s program, I contacted them to see if their children’s ministry director would share some tips with me.

That was back when the church was at 43rd and Olive.  I talked to Jody Kingston and she said she would be willing to meet with me.  As she took me on a tour of the classrooms, my jaw dropped.  I could not believe the amazing rooms for the children, and how each age had their own classrooms.  The painted walls, the clean toys and Jody’s friendly manner won me over.  I’ll never forget what she said to me as I thanked her for taking the time to meet with me.  “Freely we have received, freely we give.”

That was about 12 years ago, and my family was firmly connected with our church.  But I never forgot the Vineyard.

Then my sister and brother-in-law moved to Phoenix from California.  Some of you might know Paula Gray (she’s my sister).  David actually moved ahead of Paula while she finished a year of teaching.  David started attending the Vineyard because he knew about it from living in the Anaheim area.   At about the same time, we moved to Charlotte North Carolina for 2 years.

Before we moved, we knew we wanted to attend the Vineyard.  But if you have ever been involved in a small church, you know how hard it is to leave.  The move was the break we needed.   When we returned to Phoenix in 2000, we immediately started attending, and have been there ever since.

I’ve got lots of stories of how the Vineyard has changed my life.  In coming posts, I’ll be sharing more – especially about worship.

Today, we’d like to invite you to post your own story of how you came to the Vineyard.  Post a comment so the rest of us can hear your story.

In His Love,

Glynnis Whitwer
www.glynniswhitwer.com

Welcome to the inaugural post on the Vineyard Women’s blog.  In the coming weeks and months, we’ll be exploring topics of interest to the women at Vineyard North Phoenix.  You’ll be hearing from some of the leaders here in women’s ministry.  Our hope is to help inspire you to live out your faith in your daily life by reading excerpts from other ordinary women who are spurred on by an extraordinary God.  (Women just like you)

We all know women have unique challenges.  Not only do many of us hold down a job, but then we manage a house, care for a family and volunteer at church.  Plus, many care for other family members, reach out to the community, and somehow find the time to bring cookies to a child’s school party.    Whew!  Life is tiring.  When it’s all said and done, there seems to be not much time to invest in ourselves – our spiritual, emotional and physical needs.

On the Vineyard Women’s blog, we hope to encourage you and connect with you.  In just a few minutes a week, it’s our prayer that you’ll be inspired in some aspect of your life, and that you’ll get to know some other women here at the Vineyard. 

Take the time to reply to our posts, visit each other’s blogs, and post encouraging notes yourself.  This is just one way we are building a community of women who love Jesus and love each other here in Glendale, Arizona.

Before you leave, go to the “subscribe” button and enter your email address.  That way we can let you know when a new post has been made.

I will leave you with this quote:

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.”  Helen Keller

(I hope to remember this the next time I am in Trader Joes with my children, who both have their own small shopping cart. J ) 

Blessings,

Thora Anderson

Thank you for visiting the Vineyard Church North Phoenix Women’s Ministry Blog.  In the next few weeks we’ll be inaugurating this new method of connecting the women in our church.  We invite you to subscribe using the box on the right, and we’ll send you an email when we post something new. 

Until then, may God bless you.