When we planted Vineyard North Phoenix with 12 people in 1985, it was beyond my wildest dreams that the church would ever be as large as it is now and that we would see the amazing amount of ministry we see take place here every week.
We recently saw our 7000th person be baptized. I grew up in a small town not even that large. I wonder what we will see God do in the coming year!
I’m constantly amazed and humbled that God has taken an ordinary group of people and He really has done extraordinary things through us.
I can distinctly remember the first time we multiplied our one small group into two small groups. It was difficult for some people not to be around their close friends every week, but I am so thankful for their sacrifice to put new people above their own conformability. The Vineyard has continued to draw people who are more concerned for others than themselves. Now, I don’t even know all of our small group leaders personally. This is a great “problem” so to speak. It means many people are using their gifts and abilities to make an impact for the Kingdom. All of us together can do so much more than any one of us can do. I love being part of something greater than myself.
I don’t want to sound “old,” but I love seeing kids who have grown up in the church become leaders….of groups, of classes, of ministry areas, of leading others into worship, and into being a pastor. For example, I think of pastor David Quaid and his wife Nikki. God is so good!
I am excited to see where this journey will continue to take us. I have heard so many exciting stories of what God is doing in the lives of people and there are so many stories yet untold.
Blessings,
Thora
We are so thankful you and Pastor Brian said “yes” to the Lord! Our family is grateful for what God has done in our lives through VCNP and we are so excited to be apart of it’s future! 🙂