John Wimber was a founding leader of the Vineyard. His influence profoundly shaped the theology and practice of Vineyard churches from their earliest days until his death in November 1997.
When John was gripped by God he was, a "beer-guzzling, drug-abusing pop musician, who was converted at the age of 29 while chain-smoking his way through a Quaker-led Bible study." Shortly after John became a Christian, he became a voracious Bible reader. The Scriptures excited him, and finally after reading for weeks about life changing miracles in the Bible and attending boring church services, John asked one of the lay leaders,
"When do we get to do the stuff?"
"What stuff," asked the leader.
"You know the stuff here in the Bible, the stuff Jesus did like healing the sick, raising the dead, healing the blind.
You know, stuff like that!"
"Well, we don't do that anymore," the man said to John.
To where John replied,
"You don't?
Then what do you do?"
"Well, we do what we did here this morning," the man replied.
John answered, "You mean i gave drugs up for that?"
John had much passion for the Scriptures, but he also often said,
"It's not enough to be Biblically literate, we must also learn to be Biblically obedient."
In John's first decade as a Christian he led hundreds of people to Christ. By 1970 he was leading 11 Bible studies that involved more than 500 people. Under God's grace, John became so fruitful as an evangelical pastor he was asked to lead the Charles E. Fuller Institute of Evangelism and Church Growth.
He also later became an adjunct instructor at Fuller Theological Seminary where his classes set attendance records.
Not only was John the leader of the Vineyard Movement, he was an evangelist, worship leader, songwriter, and pastor. However John is most renowned for his practical application of the Gospel in order to ‘do the stuff' that Jesus did.
His impact on the church world-wide is still evident today, even since his passing in 1997.
Why John Wimber teachings/materials?
We believe that in order to know where we're headed, we first have to know where we've come from. Our heritage is very important to us not only in our family, but also to our church, the Yorba Linda Vineyard.
One of John's well-known sayings was that we are called "to take the best and go."
That's exactly what we're doing. We feel it would be dishonoring if we merely take what we've been taught and not share that with others -- In fact, our priority is take what we've learned and continue further, honoring the past by building on the foundation that has already been laid for us. We have no desire to build any monuments, but rather continuing moving forward.
To us, that would be most honoring if we continue forward from the foundation that John gave his life for.
One of the ways we do this is by making an effort to offer John's teachings/writings for those who need to remember who we are, what God's called us into, as well as for those that are new to us.
It's common sense to know that if you don't talk about your heritage, then it becomes easily lost. We must continue to tell the story...
So many never had the chance to meet or hear John, so we believe it's very important that we make as much available as possible.
To know more...
John Wimber Links:
http://www.yorbalindavineyard.com/buy-online/
http://www.vineyardresources.com/equip/category/resource-type/john-wimber-bo
View clips of Videos & Teachings
John Wimber: Regent University Library:
More John Wimber: Regent University Information:
John Wimber on Facebook- http://www.facebook.com/pages/John-Wimber
Over the last few years, i've also been working with Regent University as one of the point places for Wimber materials. This will give opportunity for Wimber's materials to be studied for years to come.
We will also have many of Johns materials at another museum located on the West Coast at Bethel Church in Redding, CA.
Sean and I have also brought all of Johns materials back home to Yorba Linda to our Resource Center. in 2012 we are planning to have a new site as well as many of Johns writings posted and the materials set up at our home church here in Yorba Linda.
This way we have various locations where our history and heritage can be studied. I will also be working on another library I want to see located overseas. These are designated areas were the Legacy of John and what God has entrusted to us in the Vineyard can be studied for generations to come.
Have fun exploring!
Also, if you have any questions regarding Wimber materials,
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