App · Vineyard USA National Conference

Josh Williams is the Associate National Director of Evangelism and Justice for Vineyard USA as well as the lead pastor of Elm City Vineyard church in New Haven, CT.

Josh studied at Yale University where he has an MDiv in American Studies and Ethnicity, Race and Migration. He is passionate about introducing people to the living God, inside and outside of the church.

How did you first come into the Vineyard?

I came to the Vineyard the Sunday after I graduated from Yale University. A new Vineyard started that fall right on our city green and people kept telling me to check out the church. I’d never been badgered like that…for church. I was heading to Yale Divinity School and looking to transition from my student church. When I walked in, I was struck by how interactive everything was. We sang a bunch. We prayed a bunch. We talked about justice. The church was growing in multi-ethnicity. Most folks seemed all-in. Immediately, I started inviting my friends (just like others had done with me). To my surprise, even when they didn’t like aspects of the church, almost all of them had interactions with God. Invite someone to meet with God…even when they’re put off by religion? I was hooked, and I haven’t looked back since.

Who have been influential leaders for you and why?

I have to go old school here. John Wimber. As someone who never met John Wimber, I have been profoundly impacted by his life. Particularly, I’m moved by Wimber’s capacity to fail and to persevere in that failure. I hope I would have kept praying for healing after seeing people get sicker. But Wimber did! We have such a legacy from that perseverance. It’s inspired me in my own power ministry journey along with the many failures I’ve had on my justice and multi-ethnicity journey. Lastly, I’m really moved by Wimber’s fascination with worship as a place of connection with God and his conviction that God’s mercy leads to compassion and justice. There is so much beauty in his life to continually be inspired by.

What has been a memorable conference experience you have had over the years? Why?

2015. Vineyard Columbus. Dr. Charles Montgomery speaking on one day’s notice after someone else got sick will always be legendary to me. Doc’s message tore the house down (of course), but it’s what happened next that made me ask the Lord to keep me in the movement for the long haul. Martin Buehlmann, coming to the conference from Germany, did not even give his message. He simply led ministry time after Charles’ talk. He called for repentance, especially for a myopic and closed worldview of what Jesus following, Christianity, and church could look like —mostly along racial lines. Some responded to that word. We waited longer. Then, Phil came up and led us into more repentance. We waited longer. Finally, John Mumford came up with Phil and continued. Spirit-led…repentance? Ministry time based on centuries-long division among continents? All because Vineyard responded to the Spirit when someone got sick. “We only do what the Father is doing” got a whole new meaning for me that week. I was overwhelmed and amazed – then and still now.

What do you like about National conferences? What are you praying for everyone to experience this year as we celebrate the milestone of 50 years?

I love that national conferences feel like family reunions. If it doesn’t feel that way yet, it will. It does take some time. But now, I just see friend after friend. I see people who are heroes to me, not usually because of traditional ministry markers of success but rather because I know that couple went through cancer, church conflict and betrayal, or a season where their city was against them. At Vineyard conferences I see wounded healers raise their hands in surrender, signing up again. These are experiences where we are marked as people of the Kingdom. How is God marking you?

What is one of your favorite Vineyard worship songs and why?

Holy and Anointed One. The simplicity of this song is wild. There is so much space – for reflection, for ad-libbing, for more singing, for God. The lyrics reflect some of my most basic prayers – a gentle desperation for God.

Honey on my lips. Water to my soul. Lamp unto my feet. I love you. I love you.

I love it when my favorite worship leader, Tina, sings this one.

Is there something you are learning about right now that is exciting or stimulating?

I am continuing to learn how God used Dr. King’s nonviolent movement to disciple the church. We often think of Dr. King as a singular leader who gave speeches as opposed to a teacher and shepherd who tried to disciple the church into peace, justice, and beloved community. The teaching framework of nonviolence doesn’t just help you deal with a protest against an oppressive power. Mostly, it changes you. Your marriage. Your friendships. Nonviolence helps us realize how much we go to war over things that are our daily discipleship struggles. At that point, we can realize how much peace and nonviolence will actually cost us. We can surrender and sign up to be a follower of The Way. At that point of emptiness, the Holy Spirit can change us.

What is one thing you feel proud of in your work over the last year?

I loved developing and leading Seeking the Heart of Your City or Town for regions across the Vineyard. It was amazing to hear concrete stories of people who didn’t just do the work themselves, but who invited others in — leaders, congregants, and people in their community – to love their neighborhoods with the love of Jesus.

Share briefly what you are excited about how the fall in your work as an AND?

This fall has the potential to be one of the most challenging ones in our nation’s history. While I hope that’s not true, we have to be sober and aware of the division in our country and the possibility for that division to get worse, not better. I am excited to help equip the Vineyard with a set of resources and practices to guide us through these challenges. The Vineyard has a special calling to see things through a both/and lens and to call on God for present power to get through the political gridlock of the day.

Describe key moments in your discipleship journey as you have grown in your calling?

The strongest moments in my discipleship happened as I waited for the next step in what I thought was my calling. That sounds backward, but it’s been true. As I’ve been stuck or slowed or distracted or disobedient, God has almost always provided some kind of consecration for me that got me clear-eyed and sober to the fact that Jesus is my master, not my genie. I can think of God asking me to stay in the local church versus planting faster than I was supposed to simply because the tensions were growing too strong. I can think of God asking me to hold a candle of justice and wait for others to pull out their own candles instead of me trying to light everything on fire. I can think of God giving me the courage to apply for this role from a place of waiting when the world was on fire and all we knew was on pause during early Covid. I don’t like to wait but when I do, God shows up.

Christina Lowery is the Associate National Director of Church Health & Development.

She is also co-pastor of Crossroads Church in Fredericksburg, VA.

Christina finds great joy in preaching and teaching, leadership development, and building systems that foster church health and growth.

How did you first come into the Vineyard?

In 2001, my husband Joel and I moved to Tyler, TX to work for a ministry called Teen Mania. Our friends, Kevin & Shanygne (who are now Vineyard Pastors in South Dakota) invited us to check out the Tyler Vineyard, Pastored by Andy Fauss. From the moment we stepped into the building, we knew we were home and we had found “our people.” Andy and his wife Noreen discipled and developed our leadership, and eventually asked us to join the pastoral team. It was during that time that they began to encourage us to think about church planting. It blew my mind that the Vineyard was all about raising up leaders and being willing to release them for the advancement of the Kingdom! Six years after landing at the Tyler Vineyard, we were blessed and sent back to Fredericksburg, Virginia to plant Crossroads Vineyard Church where we have been pastoring for 16 years!

Who have been influential leaders for you and why?

I could fill this whole page talking about the leaders who have most influenced my life, both within and outside of the Vineyard! But if I could speak specifically, as a woman in ministry, there have been a handful of Vineyard leaders who saw something in me that I did not yet see. They called leadership out in me, encouraged me to step out of the shadows, and to be confident in the gifting and calling God had blessed me with. Andy Fauss in Tyler, TX was the first male pastor in my life who saw me as an individual with leadership potential, and not just “part of the package” as Joel’s wife. My Regional leaders over the years, Phil Strout, John Elmer, Andy Meade, and Phil Chorlian have all encouraged me at different points in my ministry to be courageous and confident in my calling as a pastor and leader. Before she became my dear friend and mentor, Di Leman prophetically affirmed me as a pastor, a moment I will never forget! I am so grateful to be a part of a movement that not only welcomes female pastors and leaders but wants them!

Describe a key moment in your discipleship journey where you grew significantly in your calling?

The most formative seasons for me have been in seasons of suffering and hardship. In the Fall of 2018, at the peak of our church’s growth, we were blindsided by a major betrayal with leaders in our church. Around four months later due to other circumstances, my husband Joel resigned as lead pastor and I continued to lead without him.

As you can imagine, I had so many questions and fears. What I experienced over the next year, however, was that the Good Shepherd would lead me through the darkest valley of my life. Sometimes, He would have to firmly prod and push me just to keep me moving forward. Other times, I sat at a table prepared for me in the presence of my enemies. Even in the midst of such confusion, I experienced a capacity of leadership that I didn’t know was possible for me and the way that I am naturally wired. Despite a significant drop in attendance, more people committed their lives to Jesus and were baptized than any other year in our church’s history. We raised the final $150,000 of our capital campaign. I can see now that as hard as this season was, it was a catalyst for my growth, preparing me for what was to come in my current role as an AND. And God is so good. Through lots of hard work, our marriage has never been better. Our kids love Jesus, and they love the church. Joel returned to the Lead Pastor role in 2020, and we led through the pandemic together. When I took on this national role in 2021, Joel took on full Senior Leadership and our church is thriving. I do know this for sure, I would not be where I am today if I had not been tested in the fire!

What’s a memorable conference experience you have had over the years and why?

I have so many wonderful conference memories, but I must say…last year’s morning worship led by our Associations was FIRE! I loved the different cultural expressions and musical styles and didn’t want any of these sessions to end! Truly a taste of heaven!

What are you praying for everyone to experience this year as we celebrate the milestone of 50 years?

In Acts, we see the Holy Spirit move in powerful, miraculous ways when the people of God worship and pray with one mind, and of one accord. I am praying the same prayer that Jesus prayed for us in John 17, that we would become one, as He and the Father are one. I can’t imagine a better way to celebrate 50 years than to come together with one mind and of one accord…and expect the Holy Spirit to move in power!

Share briefly what you are excited about in your work as an AND.

Hands down, I am most excited to launch Vineyard Leadership Essentials | Foundations & Formation, a 1-year leadership development track designed to move potential and current leaders in your church through a Leadership Pathway. We aim to equip and empower your church to embrace a paradigm of multiplication at every level, and to raise up the next generation of Vineyard leaders, church planters, and pastoral successors! We believe that a shift from fishing to farming will promote health in our movement and for generations to come!

Caleb Maskell serves as the Associate National Director (AND) of Theology & Education for Vineyard USA.

He has been involved in leadership in the Vineyard movement for twenty-five years, in numerous churches including Hyde Park Vineyard in Chicago, Elm City Vineyard Church in New Haven Connecticut, Blue Route Vineyard outside of Philadelphia, and currently at East Denver Vineyard.

Caleb studied at University of Chicago before earning a MDiv from Yale Divinity School and PhD from Princeton Theological Seminary focusing on the history of American religion with an additional emphasis in African-American Studies. He worked as the Associate Director of the Jonathan Edwards Center at Yale University, taught at Fordham College, Princeton Theological Seminary, and Swarthmore College and served as the Executive Secretary of the American Society of Church History.

He lives at the intersection between academic study and the practical realities of church planting.

We sat down with Caleb to hear some of his story and what he’s currently excited about with regard to Theology & Education.

How did you first come into the Vineyard?

I came into the Vineyard in 1995, in the midst of a wonderful empowering season of spiritual renewal that was mainly connected to what we now call “The Toronto Blessing.” When I was a high school senior, I went to some renewal meetings at the New Haven Vineyard in southern Connecticut and had a powerful encounter with God. Subsequently, I actually moved to Toronto to do a gap year before college at what was then called the Toronto Airport Vineyard. It was an incredible experience to be present at the high point of what we can now tell was a significant, worldwide move of God. Learning to do ministry in that context – leading worship every day, serving on the prayer team several nights a week, being taught by Vineyard leaders like Don Williams and David Ruis – was radically galvanizing.

When I left Toronto, I went to college in Chicago and immediately began attending the Evanston Vineyard. I could not be more grateful to leaders like Steve and Cindy Nicholson, Rand Tucker, and Ted Kim, who helped create space for me to learn to integrate my love of learning and my life with God – seeing clearly that they were not two separate things, but one thing that God was blessing. As a college sophomore, I joined the team that was planting Hyde Park Vineyard Church, and ever since I’ve been living in pursuit of the Kingdom-centered intersection between the life of the mind and the biblically-rooted, Spirit-led ministry at the heart of the Vineyard movement. I’m so grateful!

Who have been influential leaders for you and why?

So many leaders in the Vineyard have been so kind to me that I could never make an adequate list. However, let me take a moment to remember the late Don Williams. Don was a brilliant New Testament scholar as well as a stunning exegetical preacher. I have never known anyone to preach with such an electrifying combination of genuinely intellectual erudition and passion for Jesus and his coming kingdom. As one of the earliest Vineyard theologians, Don was not at all stuffy or high-minded – he preached as if the lives of his hearers depended on it, and they often did.

Don knew that the heart of Christian discipleship was rooted in imitating Jesus. Jesus taught his disciples not just to be saved by his sacrifice for them, and to not just listen to his teaching, but in fact to personally imitate the things that he did. This truth lay at the center of Don’s message – and at the center of his life and ministry.

On many occasions, Don invited me to join him in ministry contexts, as well as into personal conversations – and, no matter what else we were discussing, it was never long before he reminded me of the call to imitate Jesus. I am so grateful for his mentorship, and I pray that we can honor his memory – as well as so many other Vineyard leaders who have come before us – by faithfully stewarding the calling that God has placed on the Vineyard to be a movement that worships Jesus by learning to imitate him – his words, his works, and his way of life.

What is one of your favorite Vineyard worship songs and why?

Oh man. So many! From “Faithful One” to “Familia,” I love how many songs we have written. As a movement, we write music because we love the Lord – our hearts overflow with songs to God and songs about God and songs about who we are in God. It is so wonderful to be part of a singing people.

However, if I had to pick one song today to be played at my funeral – it would probably be “All Things Rise” by Sam Yoder. That song is lyrically masterful, theologically profound, and…it’s a banger! I’m so grateful for Sam, for Adam Russell, and for the whole worship community in Campbellsville, Kentucky who have served our movement so well for so long. As they say, Central Kentucky is the future!

Is there something you are learning about right now that is exciting or stimulating?

Dallas Willard often quoted the great Christian philosopher Blaise Pascal who said “All of humanity’s problems stem from man’s inability to sit quietly in a room alone.” Our inability to find inner stillness – and more specifically to obey the scriptural command to “be still and know that I am God” – is one of the great spiritual sicknesses of our modern age. It is certainly a sickness that has afflicted me for most of my life.

Over the past few years, I’ve been on a journey of learning how to be obedient to that biblical command by developing practices of silence and solitude in the presence of God. To be honest, these practices really cut against the grain of my natural tendencies, but they have proven hugely beneficial and fruitful in my life with Jesus. By incorporating silence and solitude into my devotional life, I’m meeting the Lord in profound and exciting ways that feel so essential for the moment I’m in. I’m truly grateful to God for His faithful presence, as well as to wise friends who have helped me and taught me at key points on this journey.

What is one thing you feel proud of in your work over the last year?

I feel deeply grateful for the way our shared work on the Vineyard ordination project has come together over the past year or so. I believe the Vineyard movement has been given a charism – a gift from God for the sake of the Church and the world – that we must faithfully steward. I think that the clarity about our identity and mission that is emerging from our work around ordination will help Vineyard people steward that gift for generations to come. I pray we are setting the Vineyard up to be a place where our children and grandchildren can be rooted and grounded in the love of God, learning how to bear the easy yoke of Jesus and fight the good fight of faith.

Danielle Pathak serves as the Associate National Director (AND) of Pastoral Health & Formation for Vineyard USA.

She spent several years as the Staff and Spiritual Formation Pastor for the Mile High Vineyard, a family of neighborhood churches in the Denver area. She holds a deep conviction that a pastor’s life must be cultivated and intentionally tended to, with a contemplative, wholistic yet mission-oriented framework.

We sat down with Danielle to hear some of her story and what she’s currently excited about with regard to Pastoral Health and Formation.

How did you first come into the Vineyard?

I was around 13 years old when my family found their way through the doors of the Columbus Vineyard. I remember it being so different from my conservative experience growing up. I felt like I was soaking up every space I was in: crazy weird youth group activities and retreats, classes on gifting, teaching that taught me how to think about the Bible, experiences with the Holy Spirit, and intimate worship. So many people in that church embraced our family and showed concrete love for a family that was hurting. They walked my family through a very difficult time and provided stability where internally we didn’t have any. I will be forever grateful for my time there. I attended Columbus Vineyard until my husband and I planted a church in our mid-twenties.

Describe key moments in your discipleship journey as you have grown in your calling?

When I was in my early twenties, I remember walking in the back of the sanctuary during a conference (I can’t remember now what the conference was or who was on stage!) But I watched the speaker for a bit talking about relational health and remember clear as day a thought came to mind “You are going to do this one day.” I was a young adult going to university and was quite surprised, honestly thinking I made that up. Maybe 15 years later I remembered that moment and felt God confirm that indeed He was speaking and showing me vision for my life back then.

But when I think of how to answer this question, I also want to share about all the key moments of receiving freedom from the prayers prayed over me, the healing from working through my story, the therapy to gain the tools I needed for the next stage, the intentional spaces where I showed up because I was so hungry to learn more, and the intentional discipleship of leaders.

There was a two-day stretch in my early 30s where I could tell a season was shifting for me; I was gaining more energy and desire to lead. I also knew that I needed to draw away to be still and sort through some things with the Lord. I went to a hotel as a retreat away from home and over the course of those days, experienced a tenderness from Jesus that affirmed all the internal work I had done up to that point- the work no one sees. He encouraged me to speak out loud some desires I had in ministry and for our church. From that moment on, I felt completely different- I was more assured and confident in what the Lord was doing and how I was to participate in His work around me. It was a pivotal moment for me to experience in my journey of leadership.

What has been a memorable conference experience you have had over the years? Why?

There was a memorable experience several years ago in Anaheim at a national conference that Jay and I attended with our 2 young girls. Our youngest was having a TOUGH time and we kept getting called out of every session- so much so that our friends started making fun of us every time her number would pop up on the screen. After a couple of days, we were actually wondering why we even tried to come because it felt like a ton of wasted effort. We were also discouraged with our stage of church, asking the Lord big questions about even being a part of the Vineyard, whether this was our spiritual family to grow old with.

After one of the main sessions, I walked out front with the girls while Jay pulled up the car. I sat down on the curb and was feeling quite defeated. A random lady came over and sat next to me, my girls, and all of our stuff. I didn’t know her but she looked right at me and said, “It’s ok- you are going to make it! This season is so hard and you are doing a good job. The Lord sees you.” She then got up and disappeared. I called her my angel for years because it didn’t even seem real but it was EXACTLY what I needed to hear. AND what she wasn’t aware of was that her words spoke to the season of parenting as well as the season of ministry we were experiencing. After that conference and the experiences we had during that week, we were confident this was the community we wanted to be a part of.

What do you like about National conferences? What are you praying for everyone to experience this year as we celebrate the milestone of 50 years?

One of my favorite things about our national conferences is the sense of excitement and expectation we all bring to the room! As pastors, we get so excited to see friends from all over the country who we may not see more than once a year. Or we can’t wait to worship. I love that every ministry time is packed because we all want a specific moment from the Lord to affirm, heal, or challenge us. I pray that this summer we all have a collective sense from the Lord in this unique time of celebrating 50 years- that we move forward in a united way, owning and forgiving the past while taking the best into the future.

What is one of your favorite Vineyard worship songs and why?

Oh, how could I even pick one? I absolutely love “You Meet Me Here” every time it is sung. Any song that describes the beauty and kindness of God, the utter grace that God has for us is so inviting. “All Who Are Thirsty” and “Breathe” are favorites as well. I remember those songs growing up and loving the gentleness of these worship songs.

What is one thing you feel proud of in your work over the last year?

I am quite proud of the work my team has done to launch two financial education cohorts for lead pastors. We know this is a critical area of life that can cause significant stress for our pastors and which VUSA has an opportunity to step in and support. Currently, we have 54 pastors/ spouses participating in a two-year learning community with coaches and mentors supporting them and they’re starting to see some significant change within their households in terms of debt reduction, saving for emergencies, and also planning for retirement. I am looking forward to the continued work we are going to do over many more years…

Share briefly what you are excited about how the fall in your work as an AND?

This year my team is doing some very intentional work building a spiritual directors’ network where we can more clearly define what a spiritual director’s role is in a leader’s life as well as have some clear expectations of what VUSA would ask of a spiritual director serving in the Vineyard. We will be hosting a gathering at each national conference to start this conversation and then will work throughout the fall to gather this community together in different ways.

Elementary Kids (Grades 1-5)

The “Time to Fly” Kids Conference for Elementary Kids (Grades 1-5) is designed to help kids discover five Kingdom identities that Jesus embodied, and have the opportunity to explore which one they personally identify with the most.

The Kingdom identities are: The Dreamer – dreamers gotta dream, The Revolutionary – release a revolution, The Peacemaker – lead the way, The Activist – be the change, The Artist – shine your light.

This year the Elementary program is all day!!

We will serve the Elementary Kids lunch as part of our program. Check-in opens 15 min prior to the start of the session and pick up begins immediately after the session ends.

Our sessions will include group worship experience, story/ministry, games, craft & snack. Lunch block has time for bounce house fun, game room, and chill. Make sure to wear your conference t-shirt everday with us!

If your child has any dietary restrictions, please send them with their own lunch.

Monday

7:30 – 9:30 PM

VKIDS TEAM DAY | Wear your conference T-Shirt, put on some VKids tattoos, and make some friendship bracelets to rep your small group!

Tuesday

9 AM – 5:30 PM

GOLDEN-GLOW DAY | We’re celebrating the Vineyard’s 50th birthday! Put on ALL the golden bling and get ready to partaayyy!

Lunch: Pizza & Dreamy Whip (GF Soft Serve; DF options available)

Wednesday

9 AM – 5:30 PM

WILD WEDNESDAY | In honor of Wild Ones (a new VK song), let’s get wild. Wear your wildest and wackiest outfit – animal prints encouraged… RAWRRR!

Lunch: Jimmy John’s Sandwiches & Sweet Treats

Thursday

9 AM – 5:30 PM

TROPICAL THURSDAY | Break out your Hawaiian shirts, grass skirts, and get ready to cool off!

Lunch: Boom Box Sliders (cheeseburger or hamburger) & Sweet Treats

Early Childhood program (Ages 1 – Kindergarten)

Our Early Childhood program will include crafts, games, music, stories and free play centers. The little kids can play and learn each session in a safe, comfortable environment while enjoying a high quality program staffed by professionally trained childcare workers.

A special story and worship time will be led during each of the conference main sessions
in the childcare rooms.

The Early Childhood program runs on the traditional schedule

Parents pick up their child at 11:30 am and keep them for the lunch break. Kids can be checked back in at 2:45 pm. Check in opens 15 min prior to start of session/ pick up begins immediately after session ends.

Mon: 7:30 – 9:30 PM
Tues: 9 AM – 11:30 AM, 3 – 5:30 PM
Wed: 9 AM – 5:30 PM, 3 – 5:30 PM
Thurs: 9 AM – 5:30 PM, 3 – 5:30 PM

We’re stoked to have your teens here at the National Conference! Email Christian Dunn with any questions before the conference, or during the conference Samuel Worden at 402-302-1102 or samuel.worden@tvc.us

If you haven’t filled out a waiver for your teen, please do so now.

Schedule

Mon Night: 7:30 – 9:30 pm

Tues Morning: 9 – 11:30 am (Color War & “Crews”)

Tues Afternoon: 3 – 5:30 pm

Wed: All Day Fun Day

Thurs Morning: 9 – 11:30 am (Color War, Worship, Panel, & “Crews”)

Thurs Afternoon: 3 – 5:30 pm

Fun day on Wednesday

~~All day trip to Kings Island!~~

We’ve been watching the weather and tomorrow just isn’t looking good for King’s Island, so we’ve decided to pivot. Here is the new plan:

9:00 -11:30 am – Hang out at the Student Union Building (where youth normally meet). We’ll have free time to play all the games that are in the building (bball, soccer at indoor turf, ping pong, pool, foosball, video games, etc).

11:30 am – Get on buses and head to Main Event

12 – 5 pm – Main Event – we’ll spend the afternoon INDOORS at Main Event. Lunch will be provided and we will get unlimited games, bowling, laser tag, etc.

5:30 pm – Pick up at the church (right after the afternoon session)

Lunch:

Ultimate Cheese Pizza

Signature Pepperoni Pizza
Veggie Pizza
Mini Pretzel Dogs with Habanero
Honey Mustard
Boneless Buffalo Wings with
Celery Sticks and Ranch
Garlic Butter Pretzel Sticks with Thai
Chili Caramel Sauce
House Salad with Ranch, Lemon Vinaigrette
and Balsamic Vinaigrette

Connect Card