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Planting roots: 'The Vine' Church set to open on Bethelview Road in Forsyth
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FORSYTH COUNTY – One local congregation has been on an interesting ride.
The pastor of The Vine Community Church, Jon Adams, started meeting with his new congregation at a neighborhood clubhouse in Three Chimneys back in 2002. Now, seven years later, the church is set to celebrate the grand opening of its new building on Bethelview Road Sept. 13 at 10:30 a.m.
Adams smiles as he remembers the excitement of the first days when the clubhouse was packed with 75 people.
"It was wonderful worship with about 16 families," he said.
The congregation quickly grew and moved to the cafeteria of South Forsyth High School.
"We had no closet space," Adams said. "We would bring in everything every week and clean up everything afterward."
Adams said church volunteers helped "put the facility in better condition than we found it."
"Some helped with landscaping and others put up billboards for the teachers," he said. "It was just our way of saying, 'thank you.' They were nice enough to share their space."
Once again, the congregation outgrew its facilities and moved to the South Forsyth Performing Arts Center. In March of 2005, The Vine moved into its home in the Windward Ridge office park off McFarland Road.
"We were able to negotiate an amazing price," he said.
Adams said the church always had its sights set on becoming community-oriented.
"We always wanted to be building a community church for the community," he said. "We really wanted to be connected with the community and love them well. We wanted to do more than just proclaim that. We wanted to demonstrate that."
The Vine was able to purchase the 15 and a half acres at 4655 Bethelview Road with hopes of one day constructing a senior center, foster home or similar facility to allow the church to give back to the community.
Adams said he feels the future is bright for the church and the local community.
"There is evidence God is going really good things at The Vine," he said. "We are doing research to build something for our community.
"We aren't sure what it's going to be, but we want it to be something positive for the community."
When asked about the journey toward this grand opening, Adams said he gets emotional.
"I almost get moved to tears," he said.
"Not because of what we've done, but because the people are so great. We have these amazing leaders. When we need a certain skill, they have been ready and willing to tirelessly serve."
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