Background
Bert and Evelyn Waggoner have lived and served in Houston since 1972. Bert taught in the Bible and Theology department of a local college from 1972-1976. In 1976 he planted a new church, Church of the Redeemed, that merged with Church in the City, pastored by his friend Herschel Rosser. After several years of close relationship with John Wimber, Church in the City entered the Association of Vineyard Churches, eventually changing its name to the Houston Vineyard. Bert pastored the Houston Vineyard for 10 years and also helped to plant and oversee new churches in Houston and throughout the south and cross-culturally in several nations. There are now 12 additional Vineyard churches in the greater Houston area, 5 of them planted directly by the Houston Vineyard, and 7 by the newer church plants. All enjoy wonderful, healthy relationship with one another.

A New Vineyard in Southwest Houston

The Sugar Land Vineyard is one of the five church plants from the Houston Vineyard. In the spring of 1994 Bert and Evelyn gathered forty friends who were blessed and sent out from the Houston Vineyard to plant a new Vineyard in the Sugar Land area of southwest Houston.

The Vineyard Church of Stafford/Sugar Land celebrated its first public worship service in September, 1994, with one hundred participants gathered in rented facilities at the Texas School of Business in southwest Houston. On June 21, 1997, before the church's third anniversary, ground was broken to build the present facility. The first service in the new building was held March 1, 1998.

And now . . .

Weekly attendance now exceeds 1000. More than thirty Home Groups meet during the week to help people connect with God and one another. Children’s, youth, college age, and adult single ministries are flourishing. The Alpha Course (a practical introduction to the Christian faith) is helping newcomers connect with God. “Kingdom Living” provides teaching, training, and mentoring for adults in all aspects of the Bible and Christian life and character. The church is an extension site of the Vineyard Leadership Institute (a training school for future church planters and leaders). “Community Care Ministries” provide an important resource for people with “hurts, hang-ups, and bad habits.”  Servant Evangelism is a regular part of our outreach to the community.  Other ministries are too numerous to list here.

Church Planting Continues

Domestically . . .

Since 1994, The Sugar Land Vineyard has assisted in planting new churches in Lake Jackson and Nacogdoches, Texas.  We are currently supporting a new church plant in Corpus Christi, and a La Vina (Hispanic Vineyard) in Clear Lake City, Texas.  In September, 2004, we sent out approximately 25 of our members to plant a new church in Cypress, Texas.

Internationally . . .

We have helped plant churches in Turkey, Germany, and Central Asia.  We are partnering with several churches to plant a new La Vina in Mexico.