How it all started...
Did You Know? The Story Behind Our Church
On August 22, 1999, 147 chair-toting worshippers gathered at Guardian's Keep Arabian Horse Farm in Newark for our very first service. Inspired by Ezekiel 47 to step into the deep waters of God, we named our new ministry the Licking County River of Life.
Within just two weeks, God provided a worship team, donated equipment, legal incorporation, and state licensing for Pastor Steve. Following our initial season meeting at Heath and Granville High Schools, our congregation was officially welcomed into the Vineyard Fellowship of Churches in January 2000.
On August 22, 1999, 147 chair-toting worshippers gathered at Guardian's Keep Arabian Horse Farm in Newark for our very first service. Inspired by Ezekiel 47 to step into the deep waters of God, we named our new ministry the Licking County River of Life.
Within just two weeks, God provided a worship team, donated equipment, legal incorporation, and state licensing for Pastor Steve. Following our initial season meeting at Heath and Granville High Schools, our congregation was officially welcomed into the Vineyard Fellowship of Churches in January 2000.
Expanding the vision...
The Alive Vineyard Church embraces Servant Evangelism as a core ministry approach, rooted deeply in the broader Vineyard movement's core values.
We believe that the practice of demonstrating God's love in simple, practical, and unconditional ways is an essential part of the church as a whole. This form of worshiped pioneered within the Vineyard church movement.
We believe that the practice of demonstrating God's love in simple, practical, and unconditional ways is an essential part of the church as a whole. This form of worshiped pioneered within the Vineyard church movement.
Where we are headed...
Rather than focusing solely on growing a mega-church, Alive Vineyard as a church emphasizes a Kingdom-first perspective. We are looking at the church as a "launchpad" to train, invest in, and release leaders into regional, national, and global opportunities.
- Generational Continuity: Building sustainable youth, young adult, and family ministries designed to form lifelong disciples rather than relying on short-term programs.
- Releasing Leaders Open-Handedly: Preparing leaders and sending them out to start new ministries, lead community initiatives, or plant new sites—even if it means sending away key team members.
