Over the past few years Encounter Church has experienced God’s grace and seen significant growth and blessing. It has been an exciting time to be part of our church family, as we have been on the journey of faith that the Lord has laid out for us and as we seek to Find and Follow Jesus.
During this season of favour, we have sensed the Lord encouraging us to be connected to a wider network and movement for the sake of the calling He has placed on the church. This has meant that we have sought to find a stream that shares our vision, values and culture.
Mark and Karen have been connected to the Vineyard throughout their entire ministry and after much prayer, prophetic encouragement and conversations with the Vineyard, they and the Leadership of Encounter, have felt it is right to accept the invitation of the Vineyard to become part of their wider family. This means the beginning of 2023 marks a significant moment in the life of Encounter as we officially join the Vineyard Movement and become Encounter Vineyard.
Many people will be familiar with the Vineyard because of the extraordinary ministry of John Wimber, leader of the Vineyard family of churches for many years. Encounter will now be known as Encounter Vineyard and we become part of a worldwide family of churches of more than 2.500 churches in 5 continents. All the churches of our movement share the same passion for meeting Jesus in worship, having compassion for the poor, a desire to welcome everyone, a love for the Bible as God’s truth for our lives and an openness to the power of the Spirit to live supernaturally natural lives.
The Vineyard in the UK is led by our friends John and Debby Wright and the Vineyard in the UK seems to be filled with faith and momentum. Churches are multiplying, existing churches are growing and filled with life. The leaders are delightfully humble, kingdom-hearted and kind. It is our joy to begin 2023 by joining and partnering with our Vineyard family around the world as we hunger to see more of God’s kingdom come.