Dear Vineyard Family & Friends,
What a great few months it has been across the Australian Vineyard family! From gatherings of Senior Pastors & Church Planters to renewal evenings blessing many across the wider Body of Christ, God has been moving in beautiful ways. We’re excited to share it all with you in this edition of the VCA Newsletter.
Senior Pastors Gathering
Our recent Senior Pastors and Church Planters Gathering in Melbourne was a rich experience of fellowship, encouragement, and the generosity of the Holy Spirit. We were especially encouraged that almost every Vineyard Senior Pastor and Church Planter from across Australia was able to be present for this biennial gathering.
We were privileged to welcome David Ruis, National Director of Vineyard Churches Canada, who served as our primary teacher and equipper. David brought insightful and deeply encouraging teaching on The Shepherd Heart of Leadership, calling us afresh to lead from the heart of Jesus.
Kirk and Nichole also shared updates from both the Global and Australian Vineyard, reflecting on their recent review and renewal process as National Directors and the discernment journey they have undertaken with the Holy Spirit. They also began casting vision for the ongoing growth and multiplication of leaders, churches, and Kingdom mission across Australia.
Beyond the formal sessions, there were many meaningful moments of connection, conversation, and fellowship shared around meal tables throughout the gathering.
A heartfelt thank you to every local Vineyard church that invested in and blessed their Senior Pastors and Church Planters to attend. Your commitment to their ongoing encouragement, development, and flourishing in their calling is a gift to our movement.
David Ruis Visit
We were deeply grateful to experience the renewing presence of God through David Ruis’s recent visit across parts of Australia.
David first visited Pine Rivers Vineyard, where worship leaders, musicians, sound technicians, and creatives gathered for a special evening together. The night began with a shared meal, followed by David sharing wisdom from his journey in worship, leadership, songwriting, and devotion to Jesus and His Church. It was especially encouraging to have people join from Brisbane West Vineyard and Toowoomba Vineyard, creating a rich sense of regional connection and encouragement.
A significant number of emerging-generation Vineyard leaders were present, and many were deeply impacted by the opportunity to learn from David’s decades of ministry experience and heart for worship.
David then joined us in Melbourne for the Senior Pastors Gathering before travelling to the Yarra Valley, where around 120 people gathered for an evening of worship and renewal. We are so thankful to Mooroolbark Salvation Army for generously hosting the event. People from many different churches across the region attended, reflecting the Vineyard’s long-standing desire to serve as a blessing of renewal to the wider Church.
It was a beautiful evening of worship, Holy Spirit ministry, and renewed intimacy with God. Many were encouraged and freshly empowered for the ministry of Jesus. A heartfelt thank you to Di Hocking and the wonderful team from Yarra Valley Vineyard Church for serving the evening so faithfully.
David’s final ministry time with the Australian Vineyard was at Yarra Valley Vineyard Church, where he led worship at the Sunday morning service and later facilitated a lunch gathering for worship leaders, musicians, and creatives. Around 35 people attended from a broad range of churches, again reflecting the joy of blessing the wider Body of Christ together.
We are truly thankful for David’s investment into Vineyard Churches Australia—into our churches, our senior pastors and planters, and the wider Church across the nation. We also want to express our sincere thanks to everyone in Brisbane, Melbourne, and the Yarra Valley whose generosity and service helped make these gatherings such a blessing to all who attended.
Vineyard National Gathering
Please grab your calendar out and lock it in that you’ll be attending this year’s Vineyard National Gathering.
THURS 1 OCT (7pm Start) – SAT 3 OCT (9pm Finish)
Venue: Northridge Vineyard Church, Thornleigh, NSW
This year’s theme: People of the Spirit – Formed by Presence, Sent in Power.
We are a Kingdom People who believe that who we become is shaped by the One we draw near to.
This year’s National Gathering is an invitation to come together as the Vineyard family across Australia, to pause, to be present, and to let God do what only He can do. As People of the Spirit, we gather for transformation — to be formed more deeply in His presence so that we can be sent more faithfully in His power. Whether you’re in a season of thriving or quietly holding the line in a hard season, this is a moment for all of us — to worship together, to be renewed in our identity, and to rediscover the mission we carry in the everyday. Come expectant. Come as you are. Come ready to be sent.
Our International guest Speakers are Jordan & Sonya Seng from Bluewatermission Church in Hawaii. A Vineyard Church.
Young Adults Gathering 26-28 June
Emerging-generation Vineyard young adults from across Australia will soon gather in Adelaide for a weekend of community, worship, teaching, and ministry equipping as disciples of Jesus.
We invite the wider Vineyard family to join us in praying for this gathering—for meaningful encounters with God, deep friendships, and the empowering work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of those attending.
Our keynote speakers will be Daniel Ng (Marion Vineyard and student of Derek Morphew) and Elisha Spain (Geelong VIC and currently studying Midwifery). They will be joined by a number of seasoned Vineyard leaders who will invest into this emerging generation, sharing wisdom, experience, and encouragement for a life of following Jesus and serving His Kingdom.
We are expectant for all that God will do as He continues to raise up and equip the next generation of Vineyard leaders across Australia.
Registrations are still open. REGISTER NOW: https://vineyard.org.au/event/2026-young-adults-gathering/
Vineyard College Semester 2
See more here: https://www.vineyardcollege.org.au/about
New Vineyard Churches Australia Website
We have recently published our new website. A big thank you to all involved in getting this set up.
Check it out here: https://vineyard.org.au/
Much love and every blessing,
Kirk & Nichole Delaney
National Directors, Vineyard Churches Australia
