At 1201 Riverside Ave in Fort Collins, Vineyard Church of the Rockies is known for joining God's mission and transforming all things through worship, relationships and service. Two Sunday gatherings at 9:00 and 10:45 a.m. center its life, while Headwaters Worship, children and youth ministries, small groups, recovery care and partnerships in Northern Colorado and around the world carry the church's kingdom vision into practice.
Joining God's Mission in Fort Collins
Six words carry much of the church's identity: Joining God's Mission, Transforming All Things. The phrase is not limited to a program name; it describes a way of seeing daily life. Vineyard churches root their theology in Jesus' teaching on the kingdom of God, and Vineyard Church of the Rockies sees the kingdom wherever God's beautiful future is breaking into present experience. From its beginnings, the Vineyard has been committed to proclaiming the kingdom and bearing witness to it through physical, emotional and social healing, doing justice, and delivering those held captive by evil.
The church wants people to see what the Father is doing and join him in that transforming work. Its teaching emphasizes the Holy Spirit as teacher, guide and source of power, the peace Christ gives, surrender to God's will, salvation through Jesus, and righteousness received from Christ rather than earned by performance. This theology reaches beyond Sunday. Headwaters Worship describes worship as formation in God's presence that sends people into lives of love and faith, while the church's small groups and outreach ministries seek to make that formation visible in relationships, homes and community life.
Two Sunday Gatherings at Riverside Avenue
Sunday worship is held at 9:00 and 10:45 a.m. at 1201 Riverside Ave in Fort Collins. The 9:00 gathering can be watched live. Guests are welcomed by a Guest Services team whose roles include front-door greeters, ushers and lobby hospitality. The church's coffee ministry serves locally roasted Bindle coffee and an assortment of teas, while the church's general contact number is 970.484.5999.
During the Sunday rhythm, Vineyard Kids welcomes children from birth through fifth grade, while a middle school class meets from 10:45 a.m. to noon. The production team operates cameras, lights and screens, takes photographs and mixes sound to support both the room and the livestream. These behind-the-scenes roles are part of making the gatherings welcoming and technically prepared.
At the Sunday gatherings, biblical teaching, prayer and congregational worship under Headwaters Worship shape the experience. The prayer team prays for people during services and hosts the online worship experience each Sunday. Front-door greeters, ushers, lobby hospitality and coffee help people feel at home and ready to take part.
Headwaters Worship: Depth, Expression and Song
Headwaters Worship is the music ministry of Vineyard Church of the Rockies. The team values formation, development and community: musicians and worship leaders prioritize a personal relationship with Jesus, spiritual and musical growth, and serving together with a team-over-me posture. Its goal is to create space for people to encounter God and respond freely in worship. That approach connects the music in the room with the church's conviction that worship shapes people for lives of love and faith beyond Sunday.
The ministry has assembled a digital hymnal intended as a shared repertoire for the church. It contains songs from the Vineyard Worship family, classic hymns, songs from other contemporary worship movements and original songs written at the church. The hymnal makes room for both treasured older hymns and newer worship songs, creating a repertoire that can accompany people beyond Sunday as well as inside the congregation.
Headwaters releases such as Glimpse, Abide With Me and Unexpected Noel are available through the church's music channels, with lyrics, chord charts and lyric videos for several releases. Music can be heard on Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube. The church's messages can also be watched or listened to online, including audio messages and podcast presentations.
Little Ones and Teenagers Finding Their Place
Vineyard Kids is designed to lead children into a relationship with Jesus that can continue throughout their lives. The ministry creates exciting activities in a fun and safe environment where children can experience God's love and power. Each class combines relevant life application with developmentally appropriate exploration of who God is. The children's team works with children from birth through fifth grade through Bible stories, songs and activities, with Teri Farrand serving as Family Life Pastor.
Vineyard Youth is organized around doing life together. Its hope is that students experience God's love that transforms all things as they join God's mission for their lives, their community and their city. The youth group meets Wednesdays from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. for grades 6 through 12. Middle school students also meet on Sundays from 10:45 a.m. to noon. Ryan Searles serves as the youth pastoral resident, and the ministry's volunteer opportunities include youth worship, classroom preparation and background-checked service.
Children's ministry opportunities also include Vacation Bible School and a sports camp. These experiences join the regular Sunday teaching with additional ways for children and families to connect with the church's life.
Small Groups, Alpha and Bootcamp
Small groups are central to the church's approach to Christian community. Groups meet for various life stages and interests; some follow curriculum, some study the Bible, and some offer childcare. Their schedule resembles a university calendar, with fall and spring semesters plus a summer session. Although beginning a session is encouraged, many groups are easy to join at other points. The purpose is to move beyond rows of chairs toward circles in which relationships can grow and people can pursue transformation together. The church's group directory provides a way to find a group suited to a particular season or interest.
Alpha is a ten-week interactive journey about life, faith and Jesus. It creates a place for friends, coworkers and neighbors to share a free meal, make new connections and discuss life's deeper questions. Alpha runs on Tuesday evenings during the fall, with table hosts, assistants, meal coordination and production roles. No previous experience is necessary for those serving with the team.
Bootcamp gathers on the third Sunday of each month for a meal after church, practical teaching about the Kingdom of God and opportunities to put the lesson into practice. Its host team handles setup, food service and cleanup for this recurring ministry, which the church describes as one of its vibrant expressions of Kingdom life.
Recovery, Health Care and Everyday Care
Celebrate Recovery meets on Mondays at 6:30 p.m. It is a Christ-centered 12-step recovery program for anyone struggling with hurt, habits and hang-ups of any kind. The church describes it as a safe place to find community and freedom from issues that control life. Brian serves as the recovery director, and volunteer roles include setup, cleanup, discussion leadership and worship leadership.
Christ Clinic offers free health care services to anyone in need. One Saturday each month, from 8 a.m. to noon, the clinic operates at the church for people who are uninsured or lack access to health care. Its aim is to care for the complete person rather than only physical needs, addressing emotional, mental, social and spiritual dimensions as an expression of Jesus' love. Clinical roles include registered nurses, licensed vocational nurses, medical assistants, physician assistants, nurse practitioners and physicians, while non-clinical volunteers provide setup, hospitality and reception support. Spanish-English translators comfortable with medical terminology are also part of the volunteer team.
The church supports the Love FoCo Resource Center, which prepares and delivers homemade meals for foster families and people in need. Love FoCo also organizes volunteers for local nonprofits actively serving the community. Its work at the resource center includes the Car Care team, whose purpose is to bring a biblically balanced approach to recovery and sustainable life-giving habits.
Refugee Oasis also gathers at Love FoCo. It mobilizes Christians to serve refugees and immigrants through basic language classes, meaningful relationships and simple gospel events. Volunteers welcome students, prepare materials, build community and lead or assist with language classes; no special training is required.
Local care extends through Alpha Pregnancy Center. The church provides financial support, helps clean the facility, collects baby clothes and gathers care basket items. The center provides compassionate care that includes prenatal care, ultrasound services and professional counseling support.
Through YoungLife, the church serves teen moms and children with special needs, while more than 200 students gather in the church building each week. The local outreach team also connects volunteers with partners such as Fort Collins Rescue Mission and Harvest Farm, with requirements varying by organization and role.
Missions From Fort Collins to Zimbabwe
Vineyard Church of the Rockies partners with Convoy of Hope on short-term missions and the One Day to Feed the World campaign. Its international focus includes Zimbabwe, where its partnership work has included:
- feeding 3,900 children daily;
- training 200 farmers to increase crop yields and sustainability;
- equipping 75 women to live independent lives free from poverty;
- funding one church plant;
- digging the first water well; and
- donating 10 acres of land.
Through Convoy of Hope's Women's Empowerment Program, the church supports women around the world. The program equips women to establish and operate businesses while providing training in family health, literacy and small-scale agriculture, helping participants move beyond the grip of poverty.
The church also supports Life for the Innocent in its work to rescue, restore and renew children affected by human trafficking. Assistance includes medical care, identification, personal documents for safety, schooling, meals, counseling, housing and financial aid toward adoption fees.
Adults and youth also have opportunities for international trips through Convoy of Hope and Vineyard partners. These trips combine practical work projects, prayer teams, evangelism and leadership development, allowing participants to put their faith into action through service.
Many Hands Behind the Mission
Service roles at Vineyard Church of the Rockies span A/V production, administration, Alpha, Bootcamp hosting, car care, recovery, Christ Clinic, coffee, facilities, guest services, children's ministry, local outreach, international missions, musicians, prayer, Refugee Oasis, safety, small-group leadership and youth ministry. Some teams work behind the scenes with setup, cleaning, technical production and administration, while others greet guests, teach children, care for facilities, pray during services or provide music.
Many roles require no previous experience, and training is offered where it is needed. The A/V team trains people in sound, lighting, cameras, video switching and photography. The prayer team offers training in the Vineyard 5-Step Prayer Model twice a year, and the safety team provides training while requiring a background check. Background checks are also required for children's ministry and youth worship. The variety of roles reflects the church's conviction that serving is a meaningful way to connect with others and participate in God's mission.
Giving That Supports the Mission
Vineyard Church of the Rockies is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that relies on giving to support transformation in the church, community and world. One-time and recurring gifts can be made through Church Center, which also lets donors manage payment methods, review donation history and access giving statements. The church's giving options include stock, cryptocurrency, IRA Qualified Charitable Distributions and grants from donor-advised funds.
- One-time and recurring online gifts through Church Center;
- stock and cryptocurrency contributions;
- Qualified Charitable Distributions from an IRA;
- donor-advised fund grants;
- gifts by check mailed to 1201 Riverside Avenue in Fort Collins; and
- legacy and planned giving through FreeWill.
For planned giving, FreeWill helps people create a will or trust and consider including the church in an estate plan. Such gifts can sustain the church's work of joining God's mission and transforming all things for future generations. Online contributions can be made through the church's giving service.
A Practical Hope for Fort Collins and Beyond
Vineyard Church of the Rockies holds together a clear set of convictions. God's kingdom is breaking into present reality; worship forms people for lives of love and faith; the Holy Spirit teaches, guides and empowers; people can confess sin, receive mercy and restoration, and live in the peace Christ gives; and surrender allows God's will to direct a life. Jesus Christ is central as Savior, teacher, source of peace and the hope of a future in which all things are made new.
These beliefs are not held apart from service. They are lived through worship, prayer, Spirit-formed relationships in small groups, care for children and young people, recovery, health care, local partnerships, mission work and worship that sends people out with purpose. At 1201 Riverside Ave, Vineyard Church of the Rockies remains a Fort Collins church organized around joining God's mission, transforming all things and seeing the Father's future take root in the city and the world.