On Sunday, July 16, Vintage Life Church of North Fontana conducted their first public worship service. Church planter Jeff Carver began the process of developing the church with a cell group meeting in February. From February to July, they developed a strong core group of 15 adults. They also conducted several community-based events and acts of kindness in order to develop relationships with people in the community.   

It really started more than a year ago when Jeff was commissioned and began to be trained by The Vine Church of Rancho Cucamonga, Pastor Jeff Evans. The Vine Church is a church plant started by Immanuel Baptist Church of Highland, Pastor Rob Zinn. That is a very healthy model – a church, planting a church, planting a church that plants another church. This is the way the Kingdom of God will be expanded!

On August 2, Vintage Life Church held a Back to School Backpack and School Supplies Giveaway at which they gave away 250 backpacks to people in the community. They distributed about 1,500 flyers to advertise the giveaway. They even went on Craigslist! Chick-fil-A provided sandwiches for everyone – free – and there were games and activities. People came from 40 miles away for the backpacks.

In their first two services Vintage Life averaged 25-35 people. On August 2, there were more than 75 adults plus children who attended the service. The local newspapers also wrote nice articles on the event.

Don Overstreet, church planter strategist with California Southern Baptist Convention and the North American Mission Board, remarks, “I have watched the progress of Pastor Jeff Carver and the core team of Vintage Life Church from the beginning of their journey. They have been very faithful in studying the Word of God together and also doing the work of ministry in their community. I am excited about the potential for this church start.”