The History of the Vineyard

The Vineyard Movement was birthed out of the Jesus Movement in the 70s. The first local church started when Kenn Gulliksen brought together two Bible studies, both meeting at the houses of singer/songwriters: Larry Norman and Chuck Girard. By early 1975, there were thirteen groups meeting at the Beverly Hills Women's club. These Bible studies were attended by many popular actors/actresses and musicians including Bob Dylan and became the first Vineyard Church pastored by Kenn Gulliksen.

In 1977, John Wimber, an evangelical pastor and teacher on church growth, founded a Calvary Chapel in Yorba Linda, California. Wimber's teaching on healing and the ministry of the Holy Spirit was a departure from Calvary Chapel vision, so it was suggested that Wimber's church separate from Calvary Chapel and affiliate with Gulliksen's Vineyard movement. In 1982, Wimber's church changed its name to the Anaheim Vineyard Christian Fellowship. Gulliksen turned over the churches under his oversight to Wimber, beginning his leadership of the Vineyard movement.

Though starting as an Apostolic Network, the Vineyard movement grew quickly and by 1984 had surpassed 200 churches. Wimber made the decision to formalize the structure and become a denomination.

When Wimber died in November of 1997, Todd Hunter, who had served as National Coordinator since 1994, became the National Director. Hunter was followed in leadership by Bert Waggoner of Sugar Land, Texas. And in 2013, Phil Strout was selected by the National Board of Directors to serve as national director.

Currently, the Association of Vineyard Churches includes over 2400 churches around the world, with over 600 churches in the USA.