We Are Vineyard

Kathy Maskell: God’s Justice Smells Like Radical MercyShow Podcast InformationIn this episode of We Are Vineyard, Kathy Maskell shares her story of being raised by immigrant parents, and the twists and turns of her spiritual journey during her childhood and young adults years. She and Jay talk about different experiences of justice woven throughout her life, her eventual work with anti-human trafficking organizations, and what she’s learned about God’s heart for the poor. Kathy Maskell is the lead pastor at East Denver Vineyard. She joined the MHV staff in 2020 in the midst of a global pandemic. She also leads the Vineyard Justice Network and served on the Executive Board for Vineyard USA. Her heart for justice is shaped by her previous advocacy work with Love146 (an organization committed to ending child sex-trafficking), studying abolitionist movements, and creating intentional spaces for deep conversation and meaningful action for biblical justice. Kathy was raised by Buddhist parents and came to faith while earning a degree in English from the University of Chicago and went on to get an M.S. Ed from City College (CUNY), and an M.Div. in systematic theology at Union Theological Seminary (NYC). She and her husband, Caleb, co-planted the Elm City Vineyard and have two children, Josiah and Emmanuelle. Some of her favorite things to do right now are exploring her new city for awesome museums and the tastiest breakfast places for dates. Show Notes: Sign up for a regional gathering near you! https://vineyardusa.org/events/ Jars of Clay- Flood (Lift Me Up) https://bit.ly/3c9mn4X Love 146 https://love146.org Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger by Ronald J. Snider https://amzn.to/3nYXKKI East Denver Vineyard https://www.eastdenvervineyard.org/ Vineyard Justice Network https://vineyardjusticenetwork.org The Gospel With the Poor: VJN’s First Publication https://bit.ly/3c8RmOh Socials: Vineyardusa.org @vineyardusa FB for Kathy: Facebook.com/kathymaskell IG for East Denver Vineyard: @eastdenvervineyard IG for Vineyard Justice Network: @vineyardjustice

Josh Williams: Justice in the Local ChurchShow Podcast InformationIn this episode of We Are Vineyard, Josh Williams shares about the intersection of faith and the civil rights movement in his parents’ lives and how that shaped his childhood. Josh talks about the bullying he faced as a child, growing through hardships, and his encounter with love and community at an Asian-American church in college. Finally, they talk about his determination to incorporate justice issues into leading a local church, and the practical ways in which Josh and Elm City Vineyard are taking ownership of their community. Josh Williams is Vineyard USA’s Associate National Director for Evangelism and Justice. Josh grew up in Iowa and in 2004 he headed to the East Coast to study at Yale University in New Haven, CT where he majored in American Studies and Ethnicity, Race and Migration, followed by his entrance to Divinity School and getting plugged into Elm City Vineyard (ECV). During his time at grad school and in the first years of ECV, Josh started several evangelistic prayer groups on Yale’s campus, established an outdoor church for the housed and unhoused, and launched an incarnational inner-city neighborhood ministry that included a sidewalk Sunday school where many kids made first-time commitments for Jesus. In 2011 Josh was ordained as a pastor in the Vineyard and weeks later married his wife Tina (ECV’s Worship Pastor and a regular presence in Vineyard Worship recording projects). In 2014, Josh became ECV’s first full-time Lead Pastor, and he has enjoyed seeing Jesus grow the church in multi-ethnicity, justice, evangelism, spiritual formation, and Holy Spirit ministry. In the Vineyard, Josh has served as an Area Leader and an Executive Team member since 2017. He has also been on the Vineyard Ethnic Diversity task force since 2019. Josh and Tina recently celebrated ten years of marriage and parent two adorable little ones, Zoe and Joy. Their favorite family activities are going to waterfalls and beaches, eating ice cream, and singing loudly together. Show Notes: The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis https://amzn.to/3ONpXQx Works of Love by Soren Kierkegaard https://amzn.to/3RfPvr5 The Quest for the Radical Middle by Bill Johnson and Todd Hunter https://amzn.to/3yl84le Convoy of Hope https://convoyofhope.org Vineyard Justice Network https://vineyardjusticenetwork.org

Kevin Springer: Power Healing – Writing With WimberShow Podcast InformationIn this episode of We Are Vineyard, Kevin Springer shares about his personal history and how he came to write alongside John Wimber. Jay and Kevin talk about the power of encouragement and caring for fallen leaders, and Kevin shares a practical word about finances and preparing for the future. Kevin Springer is a retired lead pastor, church planter, editor and author. With 46 years in ministry, Kevin has experience in both parachurch and church organizations. His current work includes consulting with churches, conducting marriage seminars, and writing. He is the author of numerous books, booklets and articles published locally and abroad, including Power Healing and Power Evangelism, co-authored with John Wimber. He has been married to Suzanne for 52 years and they have 3 children. Kevin enjoys reading, writing, hiking, working out, and traveling with Suzanne. Show Notes: Sign up for a regional gathering near you! https://vineyardusa.org/events/ Power Healing by John Wimber and Kevin Springer Vineyard USA’s recommended reading for June https://amzn.to/3bfbTjL Power Evangelism by John Wimber and Kevin Springer https://amzn.to/3nFcKgZ Socials: Vineyardusa.org @vineyardusa

Candy and Josh Brown: Bridging the Worlds of Science and FaithShow Podcast InformationIn this episode of We Are Vineyard, Jay talks with Candy and Joshua Brown about the historically contentious relationship between the scientific and faith communities, and the ways in which they are working to overcome the unhealthy perspectives on both sides to document the miraculous. Candy and Joshua share about their experiences documenting the healing of people who are deaf and blind in Mozambique, their process of gathering empirical evidence to write peer-reviewed scientific articles, and the work they do at the Global Medical Research Institute. Joshua Brown (Ph.D., Boston University) is Professor of Psychological and Brain Sciences at Indiana University. He directs the Cognitive Control laboratory at IU, which focuses on functional brain imaging, higher cognitive function, addiction, psychopathology, transcranial electrical neurostimulation, computational neural modeling, and artificial intelligence. He has authored over 79 peer-reviewed scientific papers in all of these areas, and his work has been featured on the Discovery Channel, NPR, the New York Times, Fox news, and numerous other national and international media. He also directs the graduate program in Neuroscience at Indiana University and serves as the Director of the Global Medical Research Institute, whose work has been featured recently in the documentary film Send Proof. Candy Gunther Brown (Ph.D. Harvard University) is Professor of Religious Studies, Indiana University, and author or editor of six books, including Testing Prayer: Science and Healing and Debating Yoga and Mindfulness in Public Schools: Reforming Secular Education or Reestablishing Religion? Media coverage includes The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, The Atlantic, Religion Dispatches, The Conversation, Huffington Post Live, Psychology Today, Mindful Leader, National Catholic Register, Atheist Yoga, Interfaith Voices, and Tricycle: The Buddhist Review. Show Notes: Sign up for a regional gathering near you! https://vineyardusa.org/events/ Power Healing by John Wimber and Kevin Springer Vineyard USA’s recommended reading for June https://amzn.to/3bfbTjL Global Medical Research institute https://www.globalmri.org Debating Yoga and Mindfulness by Candy Gunther Brown https://amzn.to/3xGKten Article in Southern Medical Journal about work in Mozambique https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20686441/ Testing Prayer by Candy Gunther Brown https://amzn.to/3zMaJqp Social Media: Vineyardusa.org @vineyardusa Global Medical Research Institute: facebook.com/globalmri Twitter: @candygbrown https://www.linkedin.com/in/candy-gunther-brown-a28a3232/ https://www.facebook.com/candyguntherbrown https://religiousstudies.indiana.edu/about/faculty/brown-candy.html

Mike and Julie Yoder: Church Transition – A Stewardship of GraceShow Podcast InformationIn this episode of We Are Vineyard, Jay Pathak talks with Mike and Julie Yoder about each of their early years and how they met, how they’ve navigated career paths in faith, and their process of transitioning into leadership of an established church. They also discuss working through disillusionment, and how character is shaped through risks of faith and obedience. Mike and Julie Yoder serve as the Senior Pastors of The Vineyard Church of Central Illinois and have recently accepted a role as Regional Leaders for the Midwest Central Region. Mike grew up in Arthur, Illinois as a Mennonite. He came to the Vineyard in the early 2000s and fell in love with the Holy Spirit and a girl. Mike decided to make the Vineyard his home and marry the girl. He graduated with a degree in Business Administration and Christian Studies from Crown College in 2002. Mike went on to spend 13 years in the business sector before joining the staff at The Vineyard Church of Central Illinois in 2015. Mike has a passion for organizational clarity, community partnerships, tackling tough conversations, and doing Holy Spirit ministry. He is currently getting his Masters of Divinity from Global Awakening Theological Seminary. Julie grew up in Champaign, Illinois, and was raised in the Vineyard. She earned a degree in Elementary Education from Olivet Nazarene University in 2004 and spent 4 years as a public school reading teacher. Julie is a 2009 Vineyard Leadership Institute graduate. She has spent over 15 years communicating, leading, and developing others. Julie is passionate about helping people encounter Jesus and partner with the Holy Spirit in their everyday lives. She leads the preaching team and is committed to helping communicators find their voice. Together, Mike and Julie are committed to building and cultivating the Kingdom culture of family in their church. They love partnering in ministry and in parenting their four children; Ty, Tate, Maggie, and Molly. Show Notes: Power Healing by John Wimber and Kevin Springer Vineyard USA’s recommended reading for June https://amzn.to/3bfbTjL The Advantage by Patrick Lencioni https://amzn.to/3aXhuLt Sign up for a regional gathering near you! https://vineyardusa.org/events/ Vineyard Church of Central Illinois https://tvc.us School of Kingdom Ministry (SoKM) https://www.schoolofkingdomministry.org Socials: Vineyardusa.org @vineyardusa Vineyard Church of Central Illinois: @vineyardcentralillinois SoKM Social: @schoolof kingdomministry.org

Steve Nicholson: It’s Not What We Do, It’s What’s Been Done To UsShow Podcast InformationIn this episode of We Are Vineyard, Steve Nicholson shares about the process of deciding for himself to follow the Lord, his early evangelism experiences, and the Holy Spirit encounter that changed it all! He and Jay also talk about what Steve sees happening in the church today amongst different generations. Steve Nicholson began ministering as a college student through InterVarsity Christian Fellowship in the early 1970s. After graduation, he moved to the Chicago area where he and several other twenty-something leaders founded a church. That fellowship, begun in 1976 in Evanston, Illinois, placed a high priority on contemporary worship, biblical teaching, openness to the Holy Spirit, and committed relationships as a church family. In 1981, Steve and a team from the fellowship established a new church in Humboldt Park, a neighborhood in Chicago’s inner city. Both churches joined Vineyard USA in August of 1985, and Steve transferred leadership of the Humboldt Park Vineyard to one of his team members in 1986. The Evanston Vineyard has since planted nine other congregations in the Chicago area, and another fifteen in other cities or countries. Steve led Vineyard USA’s church planting task force for over twenty years. Steve has ministered to and trained church leaders in India, Australia, New Zealand, Kenya, Uganda, South Africa, Turkey, Lebanon, Brazil, Chile and several Central Asian countries as well as in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The Evanston Vineyard is a diverse congregation from over 50 nations of the world with no majority racial or cultural group. Since 1986 the ministry of the Holy Spirit has been a regular and ongoing strength and emphasis of the Evanston Vineyard. Steve and his wife, Cindy, live in Chicago. They have three adult children and eight grandchildren. Show Notes: Power Evangelism by John Wimber and Kevin Springer Vineyard USA’s recommended reading for June https://amzn.to/3PK64e2 Socials: Vineyardusa.org @vineyardusa

Jordan Seng: Faith Is Spelled T-R-YShow Podcast InformationIn this episode of We Are Vineyard, Jordan Seng shares the tumultuous story of his younger years and growing up as a “wild Christian”, his first experiences in the church and how always feeling different may have been a hidden blessing. He and Jay then talk about Jordan’s experience of doing ministry in a rough neighborhood, his perspective on living out faith, and some of what the Holy Spirit is doing in his church today. Dr. Jordan Seng and his wife Sonya are lead pastors of Bluewater Mission, a creative, justice-oriented church in Honolulu, Hawaii. Jordan is author of Miracle Work: A Down-to-Earth-Guide to Supernatural Ministries, and the upcoming Life of Try. He has ministered broadly through church-planting, teaching, healing and prophecy, and has led training conferences for every major Christian denomination and numerous para-church and missions organizations in North America, Europe, Latin America, East Asia, South Asia and the Caribbean. Jordan holds a degree in political theory from Stanford University and a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago. He was a National Security Fellow at the School of Government at Harvard. He’s an avid sailor and owns two U.S patents for marine technologies. He has two teenage children. Show Notes: Miracle Work by Jordan Seng Vineyard USA’s recommended reading for May https://bit.ly/382EPdN Jordan’s Church www.bluewatermission.org Socials: Vineyardusa.org @vineyardusa

Julia Pickerill: Anything Real Requires Hard WorkShow Podcast InformationIn this episode of We Are Vineyard, Jay and Julia Pickerill reminisce about their younger years together in youth and young adult ministry. They talk about the importance of embodied connection over simply teaching information and how Julia was changed by being exposed to a theology of the local church. Julia also passes on a crucial word about longevity in pastoring. In January of 2021, Julia Pickerill became one of the Senior Pastors of the Columbus Vineyard alongside her husband Eric, succeeding Rich Nathan, who founded the church in 1987. Julia and Eric have been a part of the Vineyard movement for twenty-five years, during which time they’ve held multiple roles in the Columbus Vineyard and served as church planters and Lead Pastors of Vineyard Amsterdam (Netherlands). They returned to the US in 2015 and transitioned into senior leadership of Vineyard Columbus in January 2021. Julia is a nine on the enneagram, is a really bad cook, dislikes writing speaker bios, has three fabulous kids, and relaxes by reading novels about existential threats. Show Notes: Miracle Work by Jordan Seng Vineyard USA’s recommended reading for May https://bit.ly/382EPdN The Singer Trilogy by Calvin Miller https://amzn.to/3FRxXwk The Tower of Geburah by John White https://amzn.to/3sFhztk

Dennis Liu: Breaking The Cycle Of The Silent ExodusShow Podcast InformationIn this episode of We Are Vineyard, Jay sits down with Dennis Liu to talk about his recent transition to lead pastor of Vineyard of Hope church, and some of the conversations and considerations unique to a leadership transition in an immigrant church. Dennis shares about the “silent exodus” of young people from immigrant churches, some of the cultural blessings and challenges, and some of his dreams for the Asian American church, particularly relating to worship. Dennis Liu is the leader of the Asian American Association for Vineyard USA and the lead pastor of Vineyard of Hope church in Walnut, CA (formerly known as Vineyard of Harvest). Having grown up in a Christian family in NJ, he feels extremely blessed with a rich Christian heritage. It was during his high school years that he began to sense that the Lord was calling him into full-time ministry. At the time, he ignored the call out of selfishness simply because he wanted to make a lot of money and become successful in the world’s eyes. Subsequently, he enrolled at Cornell University in the fall of 1996 with the intention of going on to medical school upon graduation. The Lord continued to work on his heart through his college years, and the calling of full-time ministry didn’t decrease but grew stronger. After college, the door opened up for him to come out to CA to minister after he graduated from college and to begin attending Fuller Theological Seminary. In May 2000, he headed out to CA and began to intern at Vineyard of Hope Church while pursuing a Master of Arts in Intercultural Studies at Fuller. Over time, the ministry grew, and he joined the staff of the church on a full-time basis as the minister to the English congregation. In June 2005, he graduated from Fuller, and in 2007, he was ordained as a pastor. In 2011, he married Evangeline, who graduated with a Master of Divinity from Talbot Seminary. They have two sons named Silas and Levi and a daughter named Jubilee. Dennis and Evangeline are excited about the future of this congregation and envision a church that plants many churches! Show Notes: Miracle Work by Jordan Seng Vineyard USA’s recommended reading for May https://bit.ly/382EPdN Vineyard of Hope Church https://www.vineyardofhope.org

David Ruis: We Need A Faith That WorksShow Podcast InformationIn this episode of We Are Vineyard, Jay talks with worship leader and songwriter, author and National Director of Vineyard Canada, David Ruis. David shares some things he’s been learning about the story of God through his own story of adoption, the work of music in his life, and some stories of his early encounters with the Holy Spirit and his process of reconciling them with his Baptist upbringing. David also shares his heart in seeking the Lord to hear what He wants to do during any gathering or time of worship and his practice of coming with expectation that the Lord is with us. David and Anita Ruis have lead, encourage, and empowered the Vineyard in Canada as the National Directors since 2014. David is a well-respected worship leader and songwriter (You’re Worthy Of My Praise, Every Move I Make, and much more). His most recent album, When Justice Shines, was released through ION Records. David has also authored two books: The Worship God Is Seeking and The Justice God Is Seeking. As a team David and Anita are also known to be effective church planters and seasoned pastors having established churches in Canada and the US. David has also been instrumental in seeing Vineyard communities established in Nepal and India. Much of the Ruises’ focus has been in indigenous settings, working with people experiencing poverty and subsequent marginalization. They also have significant experience facilitating leadership development and on the creative side David is known for fostering originality in song-writing and the arts in various cultural settings. A burning passion for the Ruises is both practical and theological integration of creative worship in church community, and deep life engagement with issues of poverty and social injustice. The Ruises currently reside in Kelowna, BC. In their down time they love to be creative and hang with their grandkids. Show Notes: David’s church- Kelowna Vineyard https://www.kelownavineyard.com/ The Worship God is Seeking by David Ruis https://amzn.to/3w1PDAT The Justice God is Seeking by David Ruis https://amzn.to/3y8uZSd Miracle Work by Jordan Seng Vineyard USA’s recommended reading for May https://bit.ly/382EPdN Socials: Vineyardusa.org @vineyardusa