Welcome to the History of True Vine Baptist Church
History of "True Vine Baptist Church"
The history of True Vine Baptist Church can be traced to an idea that was generated in the mind of a preacher by the name of Reverend Grover C. Walker. He arrived to the area on January 4, 1974 from Tinker Air Force Base, , as a transfer civilian employee to Hill Air Force Base, Utah.
Historical Events
1976 In the summer of 1976, Reverend Walker brought his ministry to Davis County. He and a few people passed out flyers that contained the time and location of a meeting to talk about starting a church. Brother Leo and Sister Lula Young were responsible for setting up the first meeting at Ridgewood Estates Mobile Home Park in Clearfield UT.
1977On October 16, 1977 seven people attended the first meeting (Reverend Walker, James and Beatrice Suitt; Frankie Draidfort; Bobbie Walton; Pamela Miller; and Gloria Benton. The first service was held in October 1977 and 14 individuals attended.
1978On September 17, 1978, True Vine Baptist Church was organized at 2875 N. Hill Field Road at Ridgewood Estates Mobile Home Park Recreation Hall. Reverend Walker acted as moderator; Shirley Lacey as secretary, and Roland Williams as a council member. The name “True Vine” was adopted as the official church name. Reverend Walker formed the first church singing group. Members: Shirley Lacey, Jessie Hudson, Beatrice Suitt, Beverly Thompson, Della Reese, Mary Douglas, and Essie Jones. Reverend Walker was appointed as pastor. Members to join True Vine for baptism were: Douglas Lacey, Kathy, Janet, and Debra Jones. The church’s membership grew to 20.
1979In 1979, there were 41 baptisms and 32 individuals joined by Christian Experience. The Ushers Board; two choirs, Trustees Board, Finance Committee, Sunday School, and Building Fund Committee were formed. On August 12, 1979, the church moved from the Ridgewood Estates Mobile Home Park to 160 East 1700 South, Clearfield.
1980Brother Larry McGill joined True Vine as an ordained deacon and Sister Cynthia McGill serviced as the church’s pianist. Brother Robert Moore and Brother Larry Miles went on trial as deacons in training and was later ordained.
1981 – 1982 Brother Bobby Ashley went on trial as a deacon in training on July 25, 1982; the church’s first Ushers’ Day was held on October 31, 1982.
1983Brother Bobby Ashley was ordained as a deacon; the church’s first Men’s Day program was held.
1984Brothers Vincent Lewis, Royce Mitchell, and Charles Wilson were ordained as deacons. Deacon Bobby Ashley confessed his calling to the Gospel ministry in July 1984.
1986Deacon Bobby Ashley was ordained as a minister on May 31, 1986. Brothers Timothy Harvey and Russell Wilson confessed their calling to the Gospel ministry, and Brother Edward Marshall was ordained as a deacon. In February 1987, True Vine relocated to a building at 1323 S 1000 N Rainbow Drive, Layton UT.
1987Brother Benny Baker confessed his calling to the ministry.
1989 -1990Brothers O.D. Lester and Frank Johnson entered into deacon training. Minister Timothy Harvey was ordained as a minister.
1991Brothers O.D. Lester and Frank Johnson were ordained deacons. Brother Edward Thompson Sr. went on trial as a deacon in training. Five members were baptized.
1992 Reverend Grover Walker resigned as pastor of True Vine Baptist Church. Minister Russell Wilson served as interim pastor until 1993. Brother Edward Thompson Sr was ordained as a Deacon.
1993 Reverend Jerome Council was called to pastor True Vine and was installed August 1993. True Vine purchased a church on December 7, 1994. Pastor Council and True Vine members moved to the newly purchased church at 197 West 100 South, Kaysville UT on December 25, 1994. Twenty new individual joined True Vine. During the next five years, the membership increased to approximately 100 new members.
1996-1997 True Vine’s membership grew with 27 new members, 9 baptisms, 14 joined by Christian Experience and 4 joined under Watch Care. The church’s male chorus was formed.
1998 Brother Victor Rivera was ordained as a Deacon.
1999In September 1999 the True Vine mortgage was paid off and on December 26, 1999 a mortgage burning ceremony was held.
2000 Reverend Jerome Council resigned as pastor of True Vine Baptist Church. Reverend A. J. Monterio was called as interim pastor.
2001Reverend Monterio was ordained as a Baptist minister by the Intermountain General Baptist Convention, Incorporated ordination council. Under his leadership, 71 members were added to the membership, 24 baptisms, 4 home going service, 3 deacons were appointed (Brothers Elston Daniels, Dale Griffin, and Bobby Porter), 2 deaconess, and 2 deacons in training.
2002 On February 2003 Reverend Monterio resigned as pastor due to his military commitment. Reverend Lawrence Hicks served as interim pastor in February 2003 until October 2003.
2003 In September 2003 Reverend LaMar T. Jackson was called to pastor True Vine. On November 2, 2003 Reverend Jackson was installed as pastor of True Vine Baptist Church.
2003-2006 Under his leadership, 54 new members; 28 joined by Christian Experience; 25 baptisms; 5 transferred; 1 watch care; 2 home going services; 6 dedications; 3 weddings; 3 deacons ordained; 2 deaconess; and 2 newly appointed Trustees. Brother Brian Walters was ordained as a Deacon.
2006-2008 33 new members and 1 baby dedication. Deacon Elston Daniels was ordained as a Reverend on July 12, 2008.
2008-2009 10 new members and 9 baptisms
2009-2010 5 new members and 4 baptisms.
2010-2011 15 new members , 2 joined under watch care, and 9 were baptized. Brothers Willie Norton Jr. and Roderick Baker were ordained as Deacons on August 27, 2011.
2011-2012True Vine’s membership grew with 2 baptisms, 8 joined by Christian Experience, 1 baby dedication, 1home going service, and 1 joined under Watch Care. Ministers Detoria Oliver
Joe Oliver, and David Kelly were licensed on 16 October 2011 at True Vine Baptist Church. Sister Pamela Felder was placed on trial as a Deaconess for True Vine on 27 November 2011.
2013-2014 4 baptisms; 7 new members; 1 joined under Watch Care; Minster DeAndre Boyd and Minister Saphronia Yancey were licensed. Brother Gary Yancey placed on trial as a Deacon in training; and Sisters Angela McGee, Karen Steward, Karen Sincerbeaux, Brenda Butler, and Sharia Yancey are deaconesses on trial. After many years of dedicated Brother Freddie Lacey resigned as the head of the Trustees. Brother Doug Lacey became a member of the church’s Trustees Board.
2014-2015 10 baptisms; 14 new members; 1 child dedication;Reverend Stanley Ellington joined ministerial staff. Sisters Angela McGee, Karen Steward, Karen Sincerbeaux, Brenda Butler, and Sharia Yancey were installed as deaconesses in January 2015. Brother Donald Douglas was installed as head of the Trustees.
2015-2016 1 baptism; 5 new members; 1 home going; Brother Doug Lacey appointed as church assistant treasurer; renovations to the church’s women and men bathrooms; and kitchen, Pastor LaMar T. Jackson performed a dedication service for the renovations.
2016-2017 3 baptisms; 4 new members; 1 joined under Watch Care; Brother Gary Yancey was ordained as a deacon; Deacon Fred Suitt on trial; Sister Pat Davis on trial as a Deaconess; Deacon Willie Norton Jr. resigned from Trustee Board; Deaconess Frankie Draidfort and Sister Anne Reed were installed as Trustees.
2017-2018 2 Baptisms;1 home going service; Deacon Fred Suitt was confirmed; 3 Junior deacons in training Maurice Yancey, Malik Johnson, Trabis McKinzie; and continued renovations-outside safety lights and front doors addressed
2018-2019 1 Baptism; 1 home going service; Brothers Donnie Tyndall and Kevin McKinzie came forward as Deacons in training, Minister Natalie Cuthbert was licensed 1n March 2019, security system installed; and audiovisual system revamped.
2019-2020 1 Home going; Church building closed due to COVID Pandemic and CEC Guidance. No in-person services were allowed. Services were conducted via ZOOM and Facebook.
2021-2022 4 Home goings; baptisms; 1 watch care; Church building reopened to limited in-person services in accordance to CDC guidance. Services (i.e., 9 a.m., Sunday School, 1100 a.m. Worship Service, 1:00 p.m. Youth Sunday School, and 7:00 p.m. Wednesday Night Bible Study) are provided via ZOOM and Facebook. Ministers Joe Oliver and Natalie Cuthbert were ordained as ministers. Brother Donnie Tyndall was ordained as a deacon.
2022-2023 2 home goings; 2 baby dedications; 1 Baptism; Sunday Morning Sunday School is in-person and 11:00 a.m. Worship services are in-person and on Facebook; Wednesday night Bible Study is via ZOOM at 7:00 p.m. and Thursday night Prayer Meeting is via Zoom at 7:00 p.m.; Minister Saphronia Yancey was ordained as a minister; Reverend LaMar T. Jackson retired as Pastor of True Vine Baptist Church
2024 -Present 1 home going: 12 new members, Reverend Robert A. Merrills was installed as Pastor of True Vine Baptist Church July 28, 2024.
True Vine’s outreach ministries include: the prison Ministry (Salt Lake City) and the Nursing Home Ministry at Rocky Mountain Care of Clearfield UT. True Vine is affiliated with the Intermountain General Baptist Convention, Incorporated. True Vine Church name is derived from John 15:1 (I am the true vine and my Father is the husbandman) and is truly a Church determined to live for Christ.Our youth group is a vibrant and active community of young people who come together to learn, grow, and have fun. From weekly meetings to special events and mission trips, there is always something exciting happening in our youth group. Join us and get involved!