What is the Vineyard?
The Vineyard (aka Association of Vineyard Churches) is a rapidly growing group of over 700 evangelical Christian congregations mostly located in the U.S. and Canada but also may be found across the UK and the world. The Vineyard began in 1974 from a small Bible study group our of Calvary Chapel in Costa Mesa, CA. The name “Vineyard” comes from Isaiah 27:2-3, “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.” The name also reminds us of John 15 where we are told that Jesus is the vine and we are the branches and that apart from Him we can do nothing! The Vineyard grew quickly including musicians, actors, business people, students who came together in small groups and large meetings with thousands receiving Jesus. The church met in a gym, on the beach and in homes. Couples soon went out and began other Vineyards. In the spring of 1982, John Wimber, pastor of Calvary Chapel in Yorba Linda
