John Wimber, the leading founder of the Vineyard movement was dedicated to renewal and to loving the whole church. So when a young Reformed pastor from Grand Haven, Michigan, Paul Bradford, contacted him asking to learn more about the Kingdom of God and Holy Spirit ministry, John responded by sending Paul several of his teachings.  After much prayer and confirmation from the Holy Spirit, the Bradfords and three other families began meeting together in Holland, Michigan for worship, Bible study, and prayer in the fall of 1987 as a Reformed church plant. The group became a small congregation, and kept growing, moving to larger and larger spaces in the next few years. In July 1990, the congregation, formerly known as Lakeshore Church of the King, joined the Association of Vineyard Churches and changed its name to Lakeshore Vineyard Church (LVC).  

In 1991, we moved to Holland East Middle School. During our time there, in 1994, Hope College hired a Dean of the Chapel who chose to start his work by engaging with our college group here at LVC. Our students had been praying faithfully for revival on their campus, and, full of vibrancy and zeal, they brought life to the chapel services at Hope, soon becoming part of the revival that God brought there. It was contagious and affected everyone in our congregation, and the church kept growing rapidly.

In 1995, we purchased what was formerly the Southside Christian School at 710 Central Avenue. After renovating the existing building and adding an auditorium, we began meeting in our new worship center on June 2, 1996. It was exciting to have our own space to host community events, outreach, youth group, small groups, worship nights, and conferences.

Our Lakeshore Vineyard congregation has also been at the center of city-wide prayer movements, including the March for Jesus in the 90s, and the Mayor’s prayer breakfast. It has also been our joy to send out several missionaries and four church plants over the lifetime of our church. 

We are continuing that legacy of “loving the whole church” through our collaboration with other churches in the city, regular prayer meetings, worship, and other events. God has blessed us richly with His presence and with His guidance, as we have sought to follow Him.