Pastor Wes writes…

The Lord originally gave me the vision for The Lord’s Vineyard Community Church in 1990. It wasn’t until five years later that the Lord began to stir in my heart that it was time to birth His work– a different kind of work, not a traditional church. This church would be a mixed multitude meant to make a difference in the community.

The Lord gave me a three-fold vision for this new work. First, we would teach and emphasize the importance of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Second, we would strengthen the family unit. Third, we would touch our community by getting involved in the lives of people in our church neighborhood.

My wife and I were so excited, because we knew the Lord was urging us on to do His work. After several months, we finally gave in to the urging of the Holy Spirit that had begun in our hearts several years earlier. There was just one problem. We did not have the financial resources to rent a building, let alone cover the other expenses that we would incur.

In April of 1995, we were visiting Living Faith Tabernacle in Atlanta, where Pastor Chris Bowen serves. I was invited to preach the Sunday evening service. Just before I stepped up to the pulpit, Pastor Bowen announced to the people that we were going to begin a new work in Habersham County and he wanted to take up a special offering to help pay for our chairs. We were no longer just talking… we were actually beginning to build a church.

That night, we received a love offering that not only covered the cost of seventy-five metal chairs but enough for one month’s rent on a building. God was providing the finances for His work. Following that night, we received several confirmations that we were in His will and that He would provide everything we needed. That’s exactly what He did!

After a long search, God provided us with an excellent building to hold services. Over the next two weeks, everything we needed was provided by donations from family and friends. Truly, God is Jehovah Jireh, our Provider.

Our first service was in June of 1995. Since then, God has made many promises to us and we expect every promise to be fulfilled. He is truly a great God who will go above and beyond all we could ever dream. In April of 2007, we purchased what was formerly the Cornelia Church of Christ, along with the house behind the church. The Lord continues to bless us as we strive to do what he wants us to do–  “serving one another in love.”