How did Vineyard Columbus get started?

Our Story
Vineyard Church of Columbus began in the early seventies as several college-age bible study groups. These groups evolved into three small churches that eventually combined in 1982 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.

The Story of Vineyard Columbus
In 1987, we felt directed by God to formally join the Association of Vineyard Churches. 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 to be called Vineyard Christian Fellowship of Columbus.

Over the next several years, VCF Columbus grew from about 250 adults and children to 700. People 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, Vineyard Columbus 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), AIDS ministry (called Project Compassion), urban mercy 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-so our staff and ministries have grown right along with church attendance.

By 1998, attendance was about 3500 and Vineyard Church of Columbus, as it was now known, 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 3000-seat sanctuary was opened, with an adjacent children's wing, new bookstore and expanded parking lot.

In 2004 the Ministry Center was opened, creating one location for Vineyard Columbus to house its entire staff. As the church has grown through the years, the expansion of staff has created the challenge of space to the point where staff members could be found working in coat rooms and closets and all sorts of creative places. The Ministry Center has allowed for space to be put to better use. One of those potential uses is to house the ever-expanding Vineyard Leadership Institute whose home is here in Columbus, and whose enrollment is growing each year.

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!

For More Information
Please contact the church by calling 614.890.0000 or email questions@vineyardcolumbus.org if you have any other questions or concerns about the church's history.

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