Prior to that this group of people, who wanted to be a Vineyard church, met mid-week in the same building. This meeting was led by Peter & Kathy Downes and their team from Lilydale Vineyard Christian Fellowship.

Peter & Kathy had previously led the View Hill Fellowship (Anglican) along Vineyard lines, and when they left, the Vineyard style left with them. Hence the small group who wanted a mid-week Vineyard style meeting.

Gordon & Judy were in the process of leaving the Sans Souci Vineyard in Sydney to pursue their calling to Church Plant and, having been previously asked to consider leading the Bendigo group, took the necessary steps to explore the possibility.

God spoke very clearly to Gordon & Judy concerning Bendigo, and so it began.

We currently have several Connect Groups and Corporate Prayer Meetings, a rapidly growing crèche ministry, a thriving Children’s ministry, an expanding Youth Ministry, a growing Worship Team, Women’s Ministry, a Men Only group, a Prayer Ministry team, a Hospitality Team, Compassion Ministry, Newcomers Lunch, Belonging Class, a S.H.A.P.E. course and Alpha course, alongside Welcome Ministries, Servant Evangelism, Worship Team, and a Resource Centre; all of which provide the context and framework for the church to do the stuff Jesus did!

In the spring of 1982, John Wimber and several other pastors joined with the Vineyard. A short time later it became clear that God had called John to oversee, pastor, train and encourage the other pastors under him.

In 1987 the various Vineyard churches formed a formal church association called the Association of Vineyard Churches (AVC). The churches are self-governing, but are overseen and encouraged on a voluntary basis by Pastoral Overseers.

There are over 1000 Vineyard churches in about 64 countries, with over 30 in Australia. All of these numbers are expected to increase. God, however, has shown us not to seek to build the Vineyard, but instead to seek His kingdom and to build His Church, to bless what He’s blessing, to love what He loves, and to give ourselves away freely.

Links to the Vineyard Worldwide