The Vine is a new Wesleyan Church plant that launched weekly services on September 9, 2012. Check out our website: www.thevinecommunity.org. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains
in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me
you can do nothing.” John 15.5


A little over a year ago, God called us to begin a journey that has proven to be daunting and exciting, overwhelming and freeing, humbling and grace filled. The journey to plant The Vine has been filled with many challenges, many answers to prayer, and countless examples of God’s amazing grace. And it’s only just begun.

The journey actually began when our senior pastor, Tim Purcell, resigned from Brookings Wesleyan Church and asked me to plant a church in the Iowa/Minnesota district, where he is now serving as the district superintendent. From the first moment, I knew God was calling us to Minneapolis to plant a church called The Vine.

God has assembled an amazing team to serve with me. Ben Gietzen and Jared Clausen are on our Oasis leadership team and have spoken numerous times in our Oasis services. Ben also served as Brookings Wesleyan’s interim youth pastor last fall. At The Vine, Ben will serve as our youth pastor and Jared as our discipleship pastor. God has great things planned for these young men (and their wives, Abby Gietzen and Kelsey Clausen).

The name of our church is taken from John 15 where Jesus says He is the vine and we are the branches and that if we remain in Him we will bear much fruit. He then adds the defining statement: “apart from me you can do nothing”. Without Him, we know we can’t do this. With Him, we believe many people are going to experience the redemption Christ offers as they experience life on the vine.

Would you consider partnering with us in planting The Vine? First, and most importantly, we need your prayers. Prayer moves the hand of God and we would ask you to pray that many people will find redemption in Christ through The Vine. Second, we ask you to prayerfully consider making a financial contribution. Your donation, along with your prayers, will change the lives of many people.

Lastly, if there’s anything we can do for you, please let us know. We want to partner with you as we serve Christ together and remain in the vine.

Sincerely,
                                                                          
Rick Wipf            Ben Gietzen            Jared Clausen

E-mail: rwipf@thevinecommunity.org, bgietzen@thevinecommunity.org,
jclausen@thevinecommunity.org

www.thevinecommunity.org (coming this summer) Facebook: The Vine Community
Twitter: @thevinecomm           Blog: http://thevinecommunity.wordpress.com