In 2001, Barbara Nolan moved to
Wilmington, DE to begin working with an outreach of VCF at the Barn, Freedom Outreach. During her time living and serving in Wilmington, God captured her heart to serve and live out her faith in the city. At about the same time (in 2002), Justin Barss moved to Wilmington, DE to begin working with a non-profit ministry,UrbanPromise Wilmington. During Justin's time at UrbanPromise, he experienced God at work in people's lives through living and learning from the people living on the EastSide there. During that time, he began attending blue route vineyard, a nearby Vineyard church in Media, PA.
Separately, God was stirring a vision in our hearts through our experience in Vineyard churches to begin or "plant" a church in urban Wilmington. We loved what we experienced in the Vineyard churches we attended, but wanted our friends and community to experience it back in Wilmington. In 2004, Barbara and Justin met at a small group Bible study (kinship). We learned that what God had been speaking to us separately was becoming a common ground in our relationship together.
In March 2006, Justin and Barbara got married at a rockin' wedding in Wilmington and we started a kinship in our home in Wilmington in October 2006. Since that time we have been sharing our vision, serving the city, and trying to join God in what He is doing in Wilmington. Our home church, VCF at the Barn is coaching us in this process of becoming a church plant and if you'd like to learn more, we'd love to talk with you!
We are currently gathering people with a heart for Wilmington, enjoying diversity and seeing people experience God. We believe these gatherings and kinships will become a Vineyard church that accomplishes the vision below.
We have a vision to build a multicultural and ethnically diverse loving community that empowers people to connect with God, discover their purpose, and live it out in Wilmington.
We are a caring community that will try to be the best friend that Wilmington ever had.
We want to:
Bridge - The gaps that separate us from our neighbors and come together in our diversity
Build - Relationships with those in community with us and with God.
Bless - Our “neighbors” in different ways through Jesus’ guidance.
If you'd like to learn more, please contact us at the email below - we look forward to seeing you soon!
Justin Barss
justin@wilmingtongathering.com
