If someone were to write the history of the Salisbury Vineyard many years from now, this is some of what we hope they would have to say about us…

At the turn of the millennium a community of Jesus followers emerged that played a significant part in changing the face of Wiltshire. The name of the church was the Salisbury Vineyard and their mission was clear and simple: the giving of their lives to following Jesus.

Their desire was to become like Jesus - to devote their lives to Him. In their ears echoed His call - "Follow me." Jesus was their hero, their teacher, their role model. His life was their inspiration, they were His apprentices.

The giving of their lives

to following Jesus

Their worship was passionate and real. It was first, foremost and only for God. But worship wasn't limited to their meetings alone, they believed that every aspect of one's life was to be directed toward God as an act of worship. Worship was one thing that they didn't take lightly. They believed it was what they were made for.
 

The Bible was their map, the Holy Spirit their guide. They were convinced that real spirituality went hand in hand with real life. Believing that God was approachable and good they sought to experience and demonstrate His love to a hurting world.

Their faith in Christ took them on a wild and unforgettable journey. While the culture around them embraced materialism, consumerism and individualism, the people of the Salisbury Vineyard made it their ambition to embrace love, generosity, service and community. They were committed to loving the lame, the least, the last and the lost. Failure to serve those in need was failure to be the church.

What the Salisbury Vineyard did and who they were could not be contained within a building. Their presence was felt in homes, workplaces, and anywhere people could be found. In this way, the Salisbury Vineyard was never a static institution or organisation. Rather, it was a group of people following Jesus, and He was always on the move.

Failure to serve those in need

was failure to be the church.

It almost goes without saying that the Salisbury Vineyard valued community. Not only did they believe that they needed God, they also believed that they needed one another. They were like a family. Each person was essential to the whole.
 

But this was a family with a difference. Not only was each person treasured, but the family was also an open one. It was a family excited to welcome new members regardless of background or circumstance. A family wanting to share the goodness of God with anyone who wanted to receive it.

Each person was essential to the whole

In many ways the church was a lot like a bridge, connecting two worlds. It brought the realities of God's kingdom-things like love, mercy and hope, to a world filled with hatred, pain and hopelessness. The building of this bridge began as a dream, but ultimately it became reality.