Founded in 1984, the Goleta Vineyard was birthed out of the passion to take the whole message and experience of the life of Jesus Christ to the unchurched.
They began in homes, and have met in various locations during the course of their decades-long journey - including a school, a renovated commercial space in a shopping center, alternative times in rented church facilities, and now the Goleta Valley Community Center.
Vineyard Christian Fellowship meets in homes in a variety of locations during the week where they grow in intimate relationship with God and each other, taking the works of Jesus to those on the streets, in the workplace, and in various other locations making creative use of available space and resources.
Vineyard Christian Fellowship formally joined the Vineyard family of churches in 1986 - a contemporary worldwide movement that has had a tremendous impact on this generation, and a great renewing influence on the Church at large across the whole spectrum from Protestant to Catholic. Founded in 1977 by John Wimber, former musical arranger for the Righteous Brothers, there are over 600 Vineyard churches in the U.S., and an even larger number internationally. The hallmark characteristics of the Vineyard movement are worship and compassion. In worship they experience the presence of the living God through beautiful and alive contemporary music, and the transforming power of His Holy Spirit. Compassion is the expression of the living Jesus through His people as they touch the needs of others.