Vineyard Church of Columbus
Our church began in the early seventies as several college-age Bible study
groups. These groups evolved into three small churches. In 1982, these
churches eventually combined to form Christ Community Church, a congregation
of about 100 people. After meeting on Sundays in rented buildings, Christ
Community purchased a church building in 1986 on Lehner Rd., just southeast
of Northland Mall. With about 150 people and our own facility, our church
began to grow.
In 1987, we felt
directed by God to formally join the The Vineyard, USA.
Also in that year, with the church's confirmation, Rich Nathan felt
God call him to leave his position as assistant law professor at
OSU College of Business to become the first senior pastor for what
was then called Vineyard Christian Fellowship of Columbus, now
called Vineyard Church of Columbus (VCC).
Over the next several years, Vineyard Columbus grew from about 250 adults
and children to about 700 people. Many were coming to Christ, being healed
of sicknesses and set free from problems. By the beginning of 1990, it
became apparent that the building at Lehner Road would not be able to
accommodate our church much longer.
God led us to our current location at 6000
Cooper Road. The property was purchased, and
by August of 1992, VCC held its first worship
service in its brand new facility with about
1000 people in attendance.
Since that first Sunday morning service at Cooper Road, we have experienced
steady growth. More people came to Christ, were baptized and made Vineyard
Columbus their church home. Hundreds of small groups met in homes throughout
the week for fellowship and Bible study. Our staff grew, we added pastors,
ministry coordinators, counselors and administrative employees yearly.
In an attempt to meet the needs of both our church family and our community,
a wide range of ministries started and flourished, such as worship ministry,
women's ministry, men's ministry, children's ministry, young adult ministry
(called “Joshua House”), benevolence ministry (called “Fruit of the Vine”),
and a training school for future pastors and leaders (called “Vineyard
Leadership Institute“), to name just a few. We've always placed
a high priority on people--bringing them into relationship with Christ
and helping them become true disciples.
By 1998, attendance was about 3500 and VCC was once again outgrowing
its facility. The addition of a chapel, several classrooms and the café
in 1997 had done little to ease the crowding. The number of weekend services
had increased to five. By May 2000, after much planning, prayer and hard
work, our new 3000-seat sanctuary was opened, with an adjacent children's
wing, new bookstore and expanded parking lot.
Being a large church and having a large building was never our goal. Obeying
God and being the kind of church He wanted us to be always has been. We
continue to do today what we've always done—worship God, preach
the gospel, teach the Bible, pray for the sick, make disciples, and care
for the poor and needy. We're convinced this adventure that began back
in the seventies with a handful of people is far from over. We hope you
decide to be a part of our story!
