Monday, December 2, 2024
The Experience Vineyard Church celebrated its 40th anniversary on Sunday, Nov. 17, at Central Synagogue Beth Emeth in Rockville Centre.
The milestone event drew over 300 attendees, including members who have been part of the church since its early days and those who joined along the way.
Pastor Ray Longwood, who has led the congregation since 2015, reflected on the church’s journey, its dedication to serving the community, and its vision for the future.
“The variety of individuals coming together to celebrate what this church is about was probably the biggest joy,” Longwood said.
The Vineyard Church traces its roots to 1982 when Lance and Cheryl Pittluck envisioned a ministry that would break barriers and help people connect with God.
After training under John Wimber, the founder of the Vineyard movement, the Pittlucks left California to plant a church on Long Island. By 1984, the Vineyard Christian Fellowship South Shore was born, with a mission to provide worship, build community, care for the poor, and launch other churches.
By 1990, the church had purchased its current building at 251 Merrick Road, continuing the legacy of ministry established by the previous congregation.
Around the same time, the church opened the Parish House in Freeport, offering housing for single mothers and their children. “Providing a home for the poor” became a cornerstone of the ministry’s mission.
Over the decades, the church expanded its community impact through initiatives such as a food pantry and housing for women and children escaping abusive relationships.
“Our ministry has always been dedicated to the poor,” Longwood noted. “These efforts pretty much served as the framework for the church from the beginning.”
When Longwood joined the church as a youth pastor in 2012, he focused on addressing the struggles of young people during the height of the opioid epidemic. He built relationships with children and families in Rockville Centre, working closely with South Side High School to help them navigate challenges.
His dedication to supporting youth prepared him to take on the role of lead pastor in 2015. In 2017, the church relaunched as The Experience Vineyard Church, emphasizing a welcoming environment for families from all walks of life. Justice, mercy, and community remained central to its mission.
Like many organizations, the church faced significant challenges during the Covid-19 pandemic. With traditional services interrupted, the food pantry became the church’s primary outreach.
“The food pantry became the front door of the church,” Longwood said. “We moved equipment and began serving people in need. The line wrapped around the church.”
While other pantries were closing, the Vineyard Church stepped up with volunteers rallying to meet the community’s needs. That period, Longwood said, reaffirmed the church’s commitment to being “the hands and feet of Jesus.”
Today, the church is rebuilding and refocusing on its mission to help those in need. Longwood emphasized the importance of diversity and collaboration in the congregation and community.
“The biggest improvement has been the diversity in our congregation,” he said. “We’re experiencing life together as a community of faith.”
The church has also partnered with nonprofits such as the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center, Bethany House, and Hope for Youth, offering support for their missions instead of creating overlapping programs.
Looking ahead, Longwood hopes to guide individuals toward discovering their God-given purpose. “I think in the future, the biggest thing I am looking toward is helping people see their purpose while they’re on this earth,” he said.
The 40th-anniversary celebration was a time to honor the past and look forward to the future. It highlighted the church’s enduring commitment to service, faith, and community.
“After 40 years, our diverse congregation will continue to be a place where our culture is focused on helping those who are hurting, in need, or hopeless, through unconditional love,” Longwood said.
From its early days to today, Vineyard Church has been a beacon of hope in Rockville Centre and beyond. As the congregation reflects on the past four decades, it eagerly anticipates the next chapter of its ministry.
