We Are Vineyard

In this episode of We Are Vineyard, Super Regional Leader Joel Seymour talks with Travis and Jennica Conklin about their early experiences with Jesus, marrying young, and joining a tiny church plant in Montana. Travis and Jennica share about discerning a call to plant in Goshen, IN, the season of preparation they used to get themselves and their finances in order before planting, and the growth the church experienced before and after COVID. Finally, they share some of the cool stories that have happened in their church in recent years. 

Travis Conklin is the Lead Pastor of The Vine Church in Goshen, IN. He grew up in the mountains of Montana and has been serving in ministry since his youth, and spent most of the first decade of marriage helping church plants. It was through helping other pastors with church planting that they discerned their calling to plant The Vine Church in 2014. Travis is a natural-born entrepreneur and often dreams up business ideas he’ll never use, just for the fun of it. In his free time, he prefers any activity that gets him outside and into the woods. He is passionate about helping people connect to God and each other through intentional relationships.

Jennica Conklin serves as the Discipleship and First Impressions Pastor at The Vine Church. Passionate about discipleship, Jennica loves helping others to know, love, and follow Jesus wholeheartedly. Fun and joy for her come through things like jumping and screaming at concerts, dominating at game nights, playing in the waves of Lake Michigan, worship nights, or time with family. 

Travis and Jennica have three children: Ezekiel, Elliet and Judah.

Show Notes:

Register for the 2024 Vineyard USA National Conference: Seed & Soil 

Vineyard History and Identity Resources: 

The Way It Was by Carol Wimber 

The Quest For The Radical Middle by Bill Jackson 

Empowered Evangelicals by Rich Nathan and Ken Wilson

“I’m a Fool For Christ”– John Wimber’s testimony

In this episode of We Are Vineyard, Caleb Maskell (Associate National Director of Theology and Education) talks with return guest Nijay Gupta about his new book Strange Religion: How the First Christians Were Weird, Dangerous, and Compelling. They discuss the hierarchy of the Roman gods, the dynamics of Roman faith, and how the infrastructure of Roman life was disrupted when Christians showed up. Nijay also describes how Jesus broke the mold of religious culture and disrupted dynamics of power and control. 

Nijay K. Gupta is professor of New Testament at Northern Seminary. He has written several books including A Beginner’s Guide to New Testament Studies, Paul and the Language of Faith, 15 New Testament Words of Life, and Tell Her Story: How Women Led, Taught, and Ministered in the Early Church. He is a senior translator of the New Living Translation and co-hosts the Slow Theology Podcast with Dr. A.J. Swoboda.

Show Notes: 

Strange Religion by Nijay Gupta

Tell Her Story by Nijay Gupta

Vineyard History and Identity Resources: 

The Way It Was by Carol Wimber 

The Quest For The Radical Middle by Bill Jackson 

Empowered Evangelicals by Rich Nathan and Ken Wilson

“I’m a Fool For Christ”– John Wimber’s testimony

In this episode of We Are Vineyard, Caleb Maskell (Associate National Director of Theology and Education) talks with Jennifer and David McNutt. Jennifer shares about growing up as the daughter of two pastors, receiving her call to ministry at the age of ten, and experiencing a time of discovery in college. David talks about growing up in the Church of Christ and eventually attending Princeton Seminary where he met Jennifer. David and Jennifer share their desire to bridge the academy and the church in an accessible way, and how their book “Know the Theologians” is like a family reunion. They talk about what we can learn from all who came before us, the value in discovering that the big issues of our day rhyme with the past, and why humanizing historical figures really matters. 

Jennifer Powell McNutt (PhD, University of St Andrews) is Franklin S. Dyrness Chair of Biblical and Theological Studies and associate professor of theology and history of Christianity at Wheaton College. She is the author of the forthcoming The Mary We Forgot: What the Apostle to the Apostles Teaches the Church Today (Brazos, 2024) and award-winning author of Calvin Meets Voltaire: The Clergy of Geneva in the Age of Enlightenment, 1685-1798 (Routledge, 2014) and the co-editor of the forthcoming The Oxford Handbook of the Bible and the Reformation (OUP, 2024) and The People’s Book(IVP Academic, 2017). 

David W. McNutt (PhD, University of Cambridge) is senior acquisitions editor at Zondervan Academic, an imprint of HarperCollins Christian Publishing. He is also an associate lecturer of Core Studies at Wheaton College, where he teaches courses in theology, theology and the arts, and philosophical aesthetics.

They are the co-authors of Know the Theologians (Zondervan, 2024), they are both ordained ministers in the Presbyterian Church, and they are the co-founders of McNuttshell Ministries, a teaching, preaching, and writing ministry that bridges the church and the academy by sharing the Christian faith “in a nutshell.” 

Show Notes:

McNuttshell Ministries  

The Know Series by Zondervan 

Strange Religion by Nijay K. Gupta

Social Media: 

insta/X/threads: jpowellmcnutt

X: McNuttShell_Min

Vineyard History and Identity Resources: 

The Way It Was by Carol Wimber 

The Quest For The Radical Middle by Bill Jackson 

Empowered Evangelicals by Rich Nathan and Ken Wilson

“I’m a Fool For Christ”– John Wimber’s testimony

In this episode of We Are Vineyard, Jay and Caleb Maskell talk with Craig Keener. Craig shares about growing up as an atheist, asking the big questions when he was a small child, and having a physical experience of the Holy Spirit when he prayed to accept Jesus at fifteen. Craig talks about why he chose to be a Biblical scholar instead of an astrophysicist, how he got started writing books about miracles, and he shares some stories of miracles and opportunities he’s had for his faith to be strengthened.  

Craig S. Keener (PhD, Duke University) is F. M. and Ada Thompson Professor of Biblical Studies at Asbury Theological Seminary. He is the author of thirty-five books, together 19,000 pages, with some 1.4 million copies of his books in circulation. The books have won fifteen national or international awards, including six in Christianity Today. At a popular level, these include The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament. He has also authored roughly one hundred academic articles, seven booklets, and roughly two hundred popular-level articles. In 2020 Craig was president of the Evangelical Theological Society. Craig is married to Dr. Médine Moussounga Keener, who was a refugee in her home country of Congo for eighteen months; her experience and their romance appear in Impossible Love (Chosen, 2016). They attend a Vineyard church where Médine is an elder. 

Show Notes: 

Register for the 2024 Vineyard USA National Conference: Seed & Soil 

Craig’s Blog

Craig’s Youtube Channel

Miracles Today by Craig S. Keener

Miracles: The Credibility of New Testament Accounts by Craig S. Keener

Testing Prayer by Candy Gunther Brown 

Vineyard History and Identity Resources: 

The Way It Was by Carol Wimber 

The Quest For The Radical Middle by Bill Jackson 

Empowered Evangelicals by Rich Nathan and Ken Wilson

“I’m a Fool For Christ”– John Wimber’s testimony

In this episode of We Are Vineyard, Super Regional Leader John Elmer chats with Mike Turrigiano about growing up in South Bronx and looking for approval and leadership, getting involved in drugs, and ending up at Teen Challenge where he met Jesus. Mike shares about planting a church and meeting John Wimber, and watching from the East Coast as the Vineyard was established. He talks about starting a church in a bar and creating a stereotype-breaking community where people felt loved and welcomed.

Mike Turrigiano serves as the Pastor of Leadership Development at North Jersey Vineyard and is a valuable resource to their staff, offering support and coaching in both professional and spiritual contexts. Mike is a veteran of over four decades of ministry and a Vineyard pioneer on the East Coast. He spent thirty-eight of those years church planting and pastoring in New York City. Mike is also the Director and Senior Missional Coach for the Main & Plain, a ministry that provides coaching and care for pastors and ministry leaders as well as equipping for local churches. He lives with his wife Char in Brooklyn, NY. They have two sons, six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren

Show Notes: 

Register for the 2024 Vineyard USA National Conference: Seed & Soil 

How I Got There by Mike Turrigiano 

Teen Challenge

Roots Worship- Live at the Trash Bar

Church at Trash Bar#1,  2010 

Church at Trash Bar #2: Interviews

Vineyard History and Identity Resources: 

The Way It Was by Carol Wimber 

The Quest For The Radical Middle by Bill Jackson 

Empowered Evangelicals by Rich Nathan and Ken Wilson

“I’m a Fool For Christ”– John Wimber’s testimony 

In this episode of We Are Vineyard, Associate National Director of Justice and Evangelism Josh Williams chats with Tina Colón Wiliams about how she experiences God as an immigration lawyer. They talk about whether the migrant issue at the Texas border is as bad as the media makes it seem, and Tina paints a picture of what the majority of migrants actually look like. They discuss the calling of the church in this situation, the impact of this work on Tina personally and how she meets Jesus in it, how she cares for her own soul, and some of the God stories she’s seen over the years.  

Tina Colón Williams is an immigration attorney, worship pastor and vocalist based in New Haven, Connecticut. Born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida, Tina moved to New Haven in 2005 to attend Yale University. She graduated from the University of Connecticut school of law in 2014, and she currently leads an immigration litigation practice at Esperanza Attorneys at Law, a small low-bono law firm based in New Haven that represents immigrants from countries around the world in humanitarian immigration applications, removal proceedings and immigration appeals. She and her husband Josh lead the Elm City Vineyard church in New Haven, where Tina serves as the Worship Pastor. Tina has also served as a vocalist and songwriter for a number of Vineyard Worship releases over the past several years. Tina and Josh have two young girls, Zoe and Joy. They love the city of New Haven, beaches, eating new foods, singing and dancing, and following Jesus in community with others.

Show Notes:

Become a Volunteer– Executive Office for Immigration Review

Register for Vineyard USA’s National Conference: Seed & Soil 

Vineyard History and Identity Resources: 

The Way It Was by Carol Wimber 

The Quest For The Radical Middle by Bill Jackson 

Empowered Evangelicals by Rich Nathan and Ken Wilson

“I’m a Fool For Christ”– John Wimber’s testimony 

In this episode of We Are Vineyard, Josh Williams (Associate National Director of Justice & Evangelism) talks to Rob Morris about how his family came to Christ one at a time while he was growing up, and how getting burnt out in ministry led him back to Jesus and eventually to work with Youth With A Mission (YWAM) and Mercy Ships. Rob shares about becoming aware of the human trafficking industry, his first experience in an undercover investigation, and how that launched the work of Love146. Rob talks about the effectiveness of maintaining a posture of humility and learning, how defiant hope keeps them going, and some practical ways that you can help support the work. 

Rob Morris is the CEO and co-founder of Love146, an international human rights organization working to end child trafficking and exploitation. Prior to co-founding Love146, Rob worked with Mercy Ships International directing training schools at the International Operations Center. He has lectured and taught in over 20 countries on issues of justice, compassion, and human rights, and has been featured in the Huffington Post, the CNN Freedom Project, Forbes, WNPR, Alec Baldwin’s “Here’s the Thing” podcast on WNYC, Fox News, and more. 

Show notes:

Register for Vineyard USA’s National Conference: Seed & Soil 

Vineyard History and Identity Resources: 

The Way It Was by Carol Wimber 

The Quest For The Radical Middle by Bill Jackson 

Empowered Evangelicals by Rich Nathan and Ken Wilson

“I’m a Fool For Christ”– John Wimber’s testimony 

In this episode of We Are Vineyard, Jay chats with James Choung about being raised in a Korean immigrant church and how he experienced justice growing up in an inner-city community. James shares how God disrupted his plans at MIT, directed him to reinvest in his fraternity, and called him to full-time ministry. James talks about his transition to InterVaristy Christian Fellowship after seminary, and then he and Jay talk about Vineyard’s relationship with InterVarsity. 

Rev. Dr. James Choung serves as Vice President of Strategy & Innovation — overseeing evangelism, discipleship & leadership development, planting, global engagement & justice, multiethnic initiatives, and the Creative Labs — at InterVarsity Christian Fellowship USA. He is also ordained with Vineyard USA and has written three books — the latest being a co-written book titled Longing for Revival. 

James wrote his D. Min. dissertation on postmodern leadership development also at Fuller Theological Seminary, received his M. Div. from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and studied management science and marketing at MIT. He has previously served on the pastoral staff of a Boston-area urban church plant, of a megachurch in Seoul, and led an LA-adjacent house church. As for other interests, he has led worship at various national conferences including the Urbana Student Missions Conference, and serves on boards for higher education and overseas for-profit and non-profit startups. For fun, he likes to travel with his wife, laugh with his two sons, spoil his daughter, bask in Los Angeles’ endless summer, and swing a racket in hopes of playing something like tennis.

Show Notes: 

Hear more from James at Better Together! 

2024 Vineyard USA National Conference: Seed & Soil

James’ Website 

Longing for Revival by James Choung and Ryan Pfeiffer 

Vineyard History and Identity Resources: 

The Way It Was by Carol Wimber 

The Quest For The Radical Middle by Bill Jackson 

Empowered Evangelicals by Rich Nathan and Ken Wilson

“I’m a Fool For Christ”– John Wimber’s testimony 

In this episode of We Are Vineyard, Super Regional Leader Joel Seymour chats with Jeff Faust about growing up in a dysfunctional home, how his family changed after his mom had a powerful encounter with the Lord, and the spiritual experience he had in college that changed the trajectory of his life. Jeff shares about starting a ministry to the most overlooked people in Kansas City, finding the Vineyard, and being discipled into leadership. Finally, Joel and Jeff talk about Jeff’s call to Fort Collins, the gift of a pastoral transition marked by honor and respect, and the changes they’ve seen in their church since they started incorporating a salvation call each Sunday. 

Growing up far from God with a life marked by wild living and selfish ambition, Jeff was drifting further and further away from the purposes of Christ for the first two decades of his life.

But everything changed when out of God’s abundant grace, he encountered Jesus after a spring break trip to Cancun. In this encounter, Jeff received the freedom and forgiveness he desperately needed and received a calling to spend his life leading people to Christ. Shortly after, he was introduced to InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, where his encounter was matched with intentional discipleship as a student leader.

After meeting Natalie on the same IVCF leadership team (now married for 15 years with three amazing children), he launched a Christian parachurch ministry focused on serving inner-city youth.

During their time in KC, Jeff & Natalie found Vineyard Community Church and immediately felt at home. After serving KC’s youth for a number of years, Jeff transitioned onto staff at Vineyard Community Church where Mark Warner’s leadership prepared him for pastoring in the Vineyard Movement. 

After navigating a fruitful succession plan with Rick Olmstead, Jeff now leads Vineyard Church of the Rockies in Fort Collins, CO.  He continues to lead with the same passion for helping people experience God matched with an ongoing process of discipleship.

2024 Vineyard USA National Conference: Seed & Soil 

Hear more of Jeff and Rick Olmstead’s pastoral succession story

Hero Maker by Dave Ferguson and Warren Bird 

Vineyard History and Identity Resources: 

The Way It Was by Carol Wimber 

The Quest For The Radical Middle by Bill Jackson 

Empowered Evangelicals by Rich Nathan and Ken Wilson

“I’m a Fool For Christ”– John Wimber’s testimony 

In this episode of We Are Vineyard, Jay chats with Gary Dawkins about growing up in a Black Baptist Church in Baltimore and the practical intersection of church and neighborhood.  Gary talks about the Holy Spirit encounter that convinced him Jesus was real, the roundabout way he found himself in a Vineyard Church, and the powerful moment he fell in love with the Vineyard Movement. Finally, Gary shares where he’s seen progress in the Vineyard regarding racial equity and where he still sees the need for breakthrough. 

Gary Dawkins is a pastor, public communicator, and community leader who earned his MBA from Syracuse University and Master of Science in Communications Management from Morgan State University, a historically black university (HBCU). He serves as Lead Pastor of the Mercy Vineyard Church in Minneapolis, MN. 

He is also passionate about justice for the marginalized and uplifting his community. Gary cares and wants to see the marginalized flourish in every area of life. 

Gary is a former media professional and educator, who is now captivated by helping people grow in their faith and relationships. He is especially passionate about developing a lasting discipleship culture that includes acts of service, social justice, and cultural competency.

He is the husband of the beautiful LeKita Scott Dawkins and father to the brilliant Grace. They love cooking together and playing Monopoly. Game on!

Show notes: 

Better Together Conference 

Vineyard Worship’s Sound Lab

Vineyard USA’s 2024 National Conference: Seed & Soil 

Vineyard USA Associations 

Vineyard USA’s Financial Well-being of Pastors Initiative