Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
Understanding the Journey to Discipleship
Discipleship is a journey of growing in faith, learning to follow Jesus, and becoming more like Him every day. To help you navigate this journey, we’ve provided helpful resources and insights. Simply click below to explore each step and gain a deeper understanding of what it means to be a disciple of Christ.
Join us for exciting community events like Vacation Bible School (VBS), the Harvest Festival, and our special Christmas Eve Service.
Experience uplifting worship during our regular services, and feel free to stick around afterward to connect with others through fellowship and conversation.
Discover how involvement in church can enrich your work, marriage, and family relationships through the love and support of a Christ-centered community.
Take the next step by visiting a Soul Care Group, where 3-6 families from Vine & Branch gather for small, intimate meetings to grow in faith, share life, and support one another.
A Life of Surrender and Transformation
Surrender isn’t about giving up—it’s about doing life differently. When the old ways aren’t working, it’s time for a change. True surrender means placing your trust in Jesus Christ and allowing Him to guide your steps.
Making the decision to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior is the first step toward a life of purpose, peace, and hope. Choosing baptism is a public declaration of your faith—a celebration of your new life in Christ and the transformation He brings.
At Vine & Branch Fellowship, we’re here to walk with you as you take these powerful steps of faith. Let us join you in this journey of surrender and renewal.
Get Connected and Grow at Vine & Branch Fellowship
We invite you to connect with our pastors, staff, and elders at our monthly “New to Vine & Branch Fellowship” Lunch held after church. This is an excellent opportunity to ask questions, meet church leaders, and better understand our church’s mission and vision as a church that serves its community with love and purpose.
Take your faith journey deeper by joining the Rooted Bible Study. This 10-week experience is designed to help groups within the church grow in their faith through learning and practicing the 7 rhythms of discipleship as outlined in the New Testament.
Rooted offers:
Foundational teachings on Christian beliefs.
Practical steps for living out your faith.
Challenges that inspire you to step beyond your comfort zone as you follow Jesus.
Living Out Love and Service at Vine & Branch Fellowship
At Vine & Branch Fellowship, we strive to show Christ’s love in tangible ways:
Show Love: Through prayer, hospitality, and acts of kindness, we reflect the love of Jesus to those around us.
Serve in the Church: Use your gifts to make a difference by joining one of our teams, such as the Greeting Team, Worship Team, Building Maintenance, Kitchen Team, Prayer Team, Sunday School Team, or Youth Programs like Vacation Bible School (VBS) and Hope City Youth.
Serve the Community: Partner with us in outreach efforts like the Resource Connection Food Bank, Sierra Hope, Libertas Academy, and Mark Twain Elementary as we support and serve our neighbors.
Connect with Others: Build meaningful relationships with other believers through small groups, shared meals, and fellowship that strengthen our bond as a church family.
Engage in God’s Word: Grow in your faith through one-to-one and group Bible study opportunities, diving deep into Scripture and applying it to everyday life.
Guiding Principles for a Life Rooted in Christ
At Vine & Branch Fellowship, we encourage you to build a strong foundation for your faith by establishing these guiding principles for life:
Live by God’s Word: Commit to reading the Bible daily, letting it wash over you and reveal the true condition of your heart as you grow closer to Him.
Spiritual Practices: Embrace fasting, tithing, prayer, communion, and worship to draw nearer to God and align your life with His will.
Obedience and Humility: Walk in obedience to God’s Word with a spirit of humility, allowing His truth to guide every decision.
Forgiveness and Healing: Seek healing from the past through biblical counseling and healing Bible studies, and practice forgiveness as Christ forgave us.
Endure Trials with Faith: Trust God through challenges, letting your trials shape you into a stronger disciple.
Invite the Holy Spirit: Welcome the Holy Spirit into every area of your life, seeking His guidance and presence in all you do.
Share Your Faith: Boldly share the good news of Jesus Christ, making disciples as He commanded.
By committing to these principles, you’ll experience the transformative power of living a Christ-centered life and discover the joy and peace that come from walking in His ways.
The Great Commission: Living Out Your Calling
At Vine & Branch Fellowship, we are committed to fulfilling the Great Commission by spreading the good news of Jesus Christ and making disciples:
Tell Others About Jesus: Share the hope and salvation found in Christ with those around you, bringing the light of His love into their lives.
Disciple and Mentor Others: Invest in the spiritual growth of others by walking alongside them, teaching and encouraging them as they grow in faith and understanding of God’s Holy Word, the Bible.
Lead or Host a Soul Care Group: Create a space for fellowship and spiritual growth by leading or hosting a Soul Care Group, where families and individuals can connect, study God’s Word, and support one another.
Together, we can share the love of Christ, grow in our understanding of His Word, and help others experience the joy of following Him.
Heart, Hands, Habits, Head.
Transforming the entire person into a new creation.
Repentant: A disciple is continually turning away from sin and seeking God’s forgiveness and transformation. This humility in acknowledging their need for grace is foundational to a growing relationship with Christ.
Forgiving: Just as Christ has forgiven us, a disciple extends forgiveness to others. Forgiving is a vital mark of a softened heart, reflecting the love and mercy of God in their life.
Worshipful: Worship is more than singing songs, it’s a way of life. A worshipful disciple honors God in all things—thoughts, actions, and words—giving Him praise and glory in every part of their life.
Loving: Love is at the core of discipleship. Following Christ means loving God and others deeply, sacrificially, and unconditionally. This love sets believers apart as Jesus’ disciples.
Humble: Humility is the posture of a disciple, recognizing their dependence on God and valuing others above themselves. Humility allows God’s power to work through them, rather than relying on their own strength.
Thankful: A thankful heart is rooted in gratitude for God’s goodness and grace. Disciples live with an attitude of gratitude, seeing every blessing as a gift from God and finding joy in all circumstances.
Abides in Christ: Staying deeply connected to Jesus, drawing strength and wisdom from their relationship with Him.
Serves Others: Following Christ’s example by serving others with humility and compassion, demonstrating God’s love in practical ways.
Disciples Others: Actively pouring into the lives of others, guiding them in their spiritual growth, and fulfilling Jesus’ commission to make disciples.
Shares the Good News: Boldly sharing the message of salvation through words and actions, pointing others to the hope and love of Christ.
Leads and Honors the Family: Starting discipleship at home by leading the family in faith and honoring parents and family relationships. Showing love, patience, and respect in all interactions.
Communion: Regularly remembering Jesus’ sacrifice through communion, reflecting on His love and the new covenant in His blood.
Prayer: Consistently spending time with God in prayer, seeking His guidance, confessing sins, and lifting up others in intercession.
Fasting: Practicing fasting as a way to deny self, seek God’s presence more deeply, and focus on spiritual over physical needs.
Worship: Engaging in heartfelt worship, both personally and within the church, giving glory and honor to God.
Dies to Self: Living out Jesus’ call to take up their cross daily, surrendering personal desires and ambitions to God’s will.
Fellowship: Gathering with other believers for encouragement, accountability, and spiritual growth, understanding that the body of Christ is strengthened together.
Tithing: Giving generously and faithfully as an act of obedience, gratitude, and trust in God’s provision.
Daily Bible Reading: Abiding in God’s Word daily to be refreshed, guided, and reminded of His promises and instructions.
Bible Study: Diving deeper into Scripture to grow in understanding and application, allowing God’s truth to shape their thoughts and actions.
Fear of the Lord: They hold a deep reverence and awe for God, recognizing His holiness and authority. This fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and shapes their approach to life.
Obeys God’s Commands Promptly: A disciple seeks to follow God’s commands without delay, understanding that obedience is an expression of love and trust in God’s perfect wisdom.
Listens to the Holy Spirit: Sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s guidance, they allow Him to lead and direct their steps. A disciple confirms everything they hear from the Holy Spirit with the Word of God, ensuring their discernment aligns with His truth and promises.
Learns to Suffer Well: A disciple embraces suffering as a part of following Christ, learning to endure with faith and patience, trusting that God is refining their character and drawing them closer through trials.
The Word is Vital to One’s Life: God’s Word is central to everything they do. A disciple relies on Scripture for wisdom, comfort, direction, and strength, seeing it as essential for spiritual life and growth.