March 2005

Vanguard’s newest partner church, Vineyard Harvest Church of Leesburg, VA celebrated its first birthday on Sunday, February 27. Bobby Hill ministered at the anniversary service speaking prophetically about what God was doing with the church.

 

One year ago in late January a small group of believers gathered weekly for prayer seeking the Lord’s direction to plant a new church in the fastest growing county in America , Loudoun County Virginia .

 

Not telling anyone that God had strongly impressed upon his mind to start a new church, John Nuzum, asked the Lord to send someone to confirm what he couldn’t get off his mind day and night for several days. Weeks went by and then two people approached John and told him that they believed the Lord was calling him to plant a new church. Seeing this as a confirmation he then told his wife Beverly about what he had been experiencing. After spending some time in prayer Beverly concurred that she was at peace about what God was doing.

 

John and Beverly then began meeting frequently for prayer and planning purposes with Malia and Thad Steele. Malia joined the team as the worship leader and Thad as the children’s minister. Once, the four were secure in knowing that God was behind it the core group expanded.

 

The first public worship service was held in the chapel of a funeral home and continued there until moving into the auditorium of the newly built Smart’s Mill Middle school in October of 2004.

 

“Vineyard Harvest began its first year with one affirmation after another, then one miracle after another, to get through its first year,” according to John Nuzum, pastor of Vineyard Harvest Church . “This has been one of the most difficult, yet rewarding experiences of our lives. God has stretched our faith beyond anything any of us have ever done before. It has been like stretching a rubber band to its breaking point without breaking it. It has truly been a walk of faith for all who have been on this journey together,” said John.

 

The churches vision developed over a period of time reflecting the heart of the church to serve in the name of Christ Jesus, “Building community, not a building, to help hurting people.” The church is mission minded. Its Sunday program seeks to combine a contemporary worship style with traditional worship elements like communion, Scripture reading, and prayer with the aim of worshipers experiencing God both spiritually and physically. A number of people have experienced spiritual and physical healing during the course of its first year.

 

Leesburg , Virginia is located 35 miles west, northwest, of the Washington D.C. Visit their webpage at www.VHCL.org for directions. They would love to have you visit.