Take a moment to read about what we believe, our values and priorities as a church, and even meet our staff. But first, let us tell you a bit about our history.
Our History
In the late 1970’s, there was a group of Christians from various churches who were hungry for more of God in their lives and they began to meet, rather organically, in a house in Salida. By 1982, that group officially became a Vineyard church with Mike and Barb Webb serving as the founding pastors.
The church first began to meet in-between two bars on lower F Street. During that time in Salida, lower F Street was not known for being the best part of town. Those who were part of the church at the time didn’t mind at all though, and regularly welcomed the down-and-out, just as they would anyone else.
In 1984 Dan Trujillo became the new senior pastor. By about 1986 the church had outgrown its space and moved into its current location—formerly an old retail store—on Highway 50. During this time the church continued to grow and welcome everyone who was looking to connect with Jesus.
Dave Blakeslee was called around 1989 to become the pastor of the Salida Vineyard and served faithfully for a long tenure through 2011, alongside his wife Lisa.
In 2007, the congregation completed an update and substantial addition to the building, with new areas including the current sanctuary and lobby, upstairs offices, and an immersive kids area named Black Bear National Park in the basement. Old classrooms were transformed to become the Garage Band hangout space for teens.
The Salida Vineyard has also been blessed & shaped through the service of other pastors along the way, including Scott Sailors, Kenneth Wilcox, Ben & Jenny Folman, and Kevin & Missy MacPhail.
Senior Pastor Jason Smith arrived in September of 2018, along with Emily and their 3 children. They moved from Mason, OH, a suburb of Cincinnati. Jason has been a Vineyard pastor for 11 years, serving churches in Curtis, Nebraska; Mason, Ohio; and Cincinnati, Ohio. Jason is a graduate of Denver Seminary and, after 10+ years away from the state, feels at home in Salida. Emily is a registered nurse and works at the Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center.
Salida Vineyard Mission & Vision Statement
“Living the great adventure through lives changed by encounters with Jesus; led by the Holy Spirit to go out and love the world.”
Salida Vineyard Values
- Jesus: We focus on Jesus, who is our lens for understanding the Bible, our lives, and the world.
- Beloved Identity: We belong to the God who loves everyone. Even you. Really!
- Holy Spirit Empowered: We are surrendering our own brokenness and the brokenness of the world to the healing power of the Holy Spirit.
- Deep Discipleship: We are being transformed through deep relationship with God and one another.
- Holistic Worship: We bring our whole lives into worship by submitting to the rhythms of God’s grace.
- Outward Focus: We leave the building on a great adventure to share the Good News, invite everyone into the God’s Kingdom, and serve the world in love.
- Team Led: We don’t hike alone. In the Kingdom, we work and play together… because we are better together.
We are part of a larger association of churches called Vineyard. For more information, check out vineyardusa.org.