About Us

Just what is Vine of CHRIST Ministries

Vine of CHRIST Ministries is a non denominational ministry of 'Born Again Christians' working to spread the gospel through Christian works. We started out with the gathering and delivering of food and clothing in Springfield, Missouri. Donating whatever we gathered to the underprivileged and/or other local ministries that had needs that we could fill. At times, we needed to donate items in mass, because we didn't have room for all that was coming in. This worked out fine, because at this time we didn't have access to many community service groups in which to find those in need. Something that these other ministries had, due to their time in service to the area.

The LORD had other things in mind for us. We lived through hurricanes Katrina and Rita on the Louisiana gulf coast and after a brief stay, several months, in a F.E.M.A. trailer we moved to the Mississippi gulf coast near Biloxi. We worked in this area for two years, helping those we could by doing repairs while having to work a full time job to meet the bills. The going was slow, due to the great need from so many in the area and the high cost of living. Every service supplier had jacked up their prices. A two bedroom mobile home cost nearly $1400/mth., compared to the $700 prior the storms.There were sections of the coastal region that resembled a war zone, more so than a resort area. A large amount of this area does focus on tourist moneys, but as with all business, there are those that work in them and they live here too. These are the one's that needed the most help. Their lives were turned completely upside down. Besides losing all their possessions, they lost their employment and hope.

After the Fact- Life after 05 hurricane season-LA. and MS.

In the years since hurricane Katrina and Rita devastated this area, many of the smaller business' haven't, and may never, reopened. Most of the major construction that had gone on down there had dealt with the gaming industry. There are casinos everywhere. Little had been done to bring the small business' back to life. In turn this has brought about a great need for lower income housing and necessities. Estimates vary, but almost 7 out of 10 homes were destroyed or damaged to a great extent. Many are still fighting with their insurance companies trying to get that which is owed them. With this being the norm, so many live day by day wondering how they're going to make it through another day.

We reached out to anyone we were introduced to that had a need! No matter what their standings in society prior to the storms. We've helped people that only a short while before the storms had been well off, but at that time had great needs within their lives. The elderly, single parents, young couples, you name them, we did our best to help them turn their lives around. We asked for nothing in return. We didn't pressure them to listen to a gospel message of any sort, but they did know that we were Christians and we helped them out of Christian charity and the love that JESUS has for them!

Our mission through all this was simple, we wanted others to see the LORD through our actions, not our words. We wanted them to remember JESUS' name and not ours. In this age of 'personal' name ministries, we're different. We don't want the recognition for ourselves, just the LORD. Our mission is still the same today.

Our ministry will only use 10% of all funds donated for the ministry itself. All of the help we've had has been of the volunteer form, none paid. Even our current housing and office needs have come out of pocket, not from donations. About 98% of the supplies for helping in the Mississippi area came out of pocket. Though we did receive some help with building supplies from local suppliers, mostly seconds or returns. We're very thankful for these, but they're far from all that was needed.

Years ago I made a promise to the LORD, " that this, HIS ministry for me, would never ask for money! To date, this still holds true. Yes, I've mentioned the needs, but never told anyone that "GOD will bless them if they give to this ministry." All donations are given from the heart. They're given through the leading of the LORD and not man. If one feels led to donate, please do, for the LORD will see that it goes to help those truly in need.

In the future, LORD willing, we will go international, but that is in the future. There are many areas in which we'll be expanding sooner. Prison ministry, Bible studies, a fully stocked library of Christian writers and study helps and the list goes on. For now though, we need to get this site more functional. Soon we'll have a Christian network, not much unlike those you see at other sites. This is to bring together Christians in a non church surroundings. Allowing all to have their voice heard and commented on. An yes, it'll be moderated highly. My book, "Out of the LIGHT", will be published and offered for free in both electronic and hardcopy. These are but a few of those things that the LORD has laid upon my heart and through HIS grace will soon be reality.

Originally when the ministry was formed (05.99), our primary concern was assisting the families of the incarcerated. While I was serving my time, my family was subjected to things most families will never experience. Due to seeing this, my heart was torn for the families of all those that are locked up. So, the first phase of V.C.M. was a helps ministry intent on changing these people's lives for the best. I began collecting everything you can imagine. Housewares, clothing, furniture, food and even vehicles were among these. I didn't just help these families though, whomever came to me or was turned in my direction were helped to the best of my ability.

As time went by, things began to change, the LORD prompted me to go to Louisiana with the intent of going to Haiti on a missions trip. Everything we owned was sold and all donated goods were given to other local ministries. Off to Haiti we went, but before we got there, the trip was canceled due to some missionaries being kidnapped. We stayed in a motel for several weeks, until we found a small house in Iowa, LA.. I began looking for work and a place to set up the ministry's operations, but before either of these came about Katrina hit. There in Iowa we only received the winds and a little rain. Nothing much to worry about, but my nephew and his wife lived in New Orleans and lost everything, so we took them in. It wasn't a month later though and Rita hit. I sent everyone at the house to the north and through the LORD's guidance stayed behind with my dog. Brutus and I rode out 160 mph winds and a minimum of 15 tornadoes in a little two room farm shanty, that sat on cinder blocks. Needless to say, its something I'll never forget.

As soon as the stormed cleared enough to go outside, I was at the LORD's work. Going around checking on the neighbors and their houses. With our van in northern Mississippi I had to do this using my neighbor's riding lawnmower. I passed out the food that I could scrape up and did what I could to secure everyone's homes. After several days, I was blessed with over 500 lbs. of smoked sausage to distribute. Which I did. Within days the family returned and we began to get more supplies in to distribute. For those that didn't have transportation we supplied it. In this way they didn't feel like they were getting special attention (or a handout). You see there are a lot of very proud people in that area, the type that can survive through anything. They needed help, but I made it look as if they were getting it on their own. Allowing them to maintain their dignity at the same time.

After several months we were blessed with a F.E.M.A. trailer. This was awesome for a while, but when the septic tank failed and neither F.E.M.A. or the landlord would do anything about it, we moved east. This is how we ended up on the gulf coast in Mississippi. Living there was a daily reminder of the storms, because you couldn't go anywhere without seeing remains of some sort or hearing someone reflecting upon what they had suffered through. There was still a tremendous amount of work to be done down there and we did what we could to help. The goal of V.C.M. is to do all that we can do to bring a normal standard of life back to all those the LORD leads us to. (Pictures from after the storm can be found at my spaces live site!) link on Homepage.)

After a two year lapse from working in the ministry, due to family problems, the LORD has led me to the coastal bend of Texas. I'm currently, as of Sept. 2, 09, in the Kingsville area. Working on setting up the first fully functional operational center and office complex for the ministry. For the last month I've been searching out the area for temporary locations to do so. Temporary, because what the LORD has shown me will need a complex of buildings larger than any of the areas in town can accommodate! V.C.M. isn't my dream, but visions from the LORD, who prompted me to begin it and it isn't like any other in existence today. Maybe if you joined numerous of the secular organizations together and added several Christian charities in, you might be close. GOD showed me that HE's not happy with Christians giving their time and money to groups that use most of it to line their own pockets and glorify their selves. V.C.M. is and always will be about serving CHRIST and bringing glory to HIS name alone!

As of 01/19/10 We now have a Daily Devotional. I hope you will enjoy learning as I learn also. For every time we study the WORD of GOD we are all learning!!!

Vine of CHRIST Ministries

Sharing the love of CHRIST with those in need! Not a handout, but a hand up!