Made for More on Century Circle
Vineyard Cincinnati Church sits on Century Circle East in Springdale, a northern Cincinnati suburb, where it has been welcoming people from across Hamilton County and beyond since 1999. The church's tagline, "YOU WERE MADE FOR MORE," is painted across its main building and repeated throughout its materials. That phrase captures what the congregation says it is about: more life in Jesus, more love for others, and more purpose in the world.
On Sunday mornings, cars fill the parking lot for two services at 9:30 and 11:30 AM. Worship is led by a full band and a vocal team. The teaching is rooted in Scripture and runs about seventy-five minutes. Visitors are not asked to stand up, share their name, or put anything in the offering plate. Most people dress casually, and jeans sit next to dress shirts without anyone thinking twice.
The congregation calls itself "a multi-ethnic, multi-generational community learning to live and love like Jesus together." That description is lived out across every age group the church serves, from the nursery on one end of the building to the adults who gather in small groups during the week.
A Vineyard Plant in Springdale: 1985 to Today
The Vineyard Movement began in California in 1974 with the first Vineyard church, and quickly spread as a network of churches centered on following Jesus in everyday life. The Cincinnati Vineyard was planted in 1985. In its early years the church met in homes and rented spaces wherever it could gather.
The congregation moved into its first building on Crescentville Road in 1989, and then to the current Springdale location on Century Circle East in 1999. From the very beginning the church made serving people in need a central part of its identity. That focus expanded over the years, and in 2008 the congregation gave generously to open The Healing Center, a building next door at 11345 Century Circle West, as a hub of more than fifty services designed to meet practical and spiritual needs under one roof.
Vineyard Cincinnati is part of a larger association of churches called Vineyard USA, and it affirms the Vineyard USA Statement of Faith. The local congregation is governed by a board of elders - Mike Allen, Apryl Ford, Bill Maxam, Phil Michael, Jana Monzel, Jeff Petach, and Al Tyree Jr. - who monitor the progress of the church in fulfilling its mission and ensure biblical stewardship of its finances.
Sunday Mornings at 9:30 and 11:30
A typical Sunday service includes honest worship, Bible teaching, prayer, and space for the Spirit to move. The teaching team includes Lead Pastor Matt Massey, Executive Pastor JR Cifani, and Clay Harrington, who leads the Breakthrough Ministry team. Messages are part of a multi-week series, with discussion questions and resources available so small groups can follow along.
First-time guests will find several practical helps. There are "First Time Guest Parking" signs out front. Inside, anyone wearing a Vineyard shirt can point visitors to wheelchair seating and an elevator near the main entrance. Children can be dropped off at the Family Entrance on the right side of the building; students in grades 6 through 12 go to the Student Union, just west of the main building and attached to The Healing Center.
Two languages are welcome in the room. Simultaneous Spanish interpretation is offered at both the 9:30 and 11:30 services, with connect cards available in Spanish for families who would like a follow-up. ASL interpretation is provided at the 9:30 service whenever an interpreter is available, and the Sunday message is also posted afterward on a dedicated ASL playlist on YouTube for those who prefer to watch with interpretation.
Vineyard Kids and the Student Union
Vineyard Kids is the children's ministry for infants through fifth grade, meeting at both Sunday services. The nursery (six weeks to three years, not yet potty-trained) cares for babies and toddlers in a two-to-one ratio with secure check-in. Early Childhood (ages 3, 4, and 5, including kindergarten) gathers for hands-on activities, high-energy worship, and a Bible lesson, followed by prayer and blessing. Elementary students in grades one through five engage in games, upbeat worship, Bible lessons, small group discussion, and a time to respond in worship and receive a blessing.
Every Vineyard Kids volunteer is carefully trained and background-checked before serving. Children wear a name tag with the last four digits of a parent's phone number, and only adults carrying a matching tag can pick them up. Parents can pre-register their family online to save a step on the first visit. Snacks such as pretzels, animal crackers, and puffs are available for kindergarten and younger, with ingredient lists on request, and families are encouraged to flag allergies or special needs ahead of time.
Vineyard Students is the ministry for middle and high schoolers. The Student Union is its own building on campus, with a café, basketball, gaga ball, and a turf arena out front. Doors open at 11:00 AM and service begins at 11:30. Middle schoolers (grades 6 through 8) and high schoolers (grades 9 through 12) each have their own auditorium with worship, gospel-centered teaching, and small group time built in. Wednesday nights during the school year add a second rhythm: high schoolers meet for a $5 dinner and small groups from 6:30 to 8:30 PM. Parents can stay in the loop through a weekly email and text alerts (text "HSM" for high school or "MSM" for middle school to 513-216-2703).
The Healing Center Next Door
Across the parking lot sits The Healing Center, an outreach of the church housed in its own building at 11345 Century Circle West. It opened in 2008 and has grown into a busy hub offering more than fifty services designed to meet people wherever they have a need, all in a space that reflects the value God places on every person. Programs include groceries, meals, job coaching, prayer, financial counseling, and referrals to community partners.
Karin Maney serves as the Healing Center's Executive Director. A volunteer program manager, community experience manager, and warehouse manager round out the leadership team. The church invites members and attenders to serve through the Healing Center volunteer team, and the wider community can come for help whether or not they attend Vineyard Cincinnati.
The Healing Center also runs Kids Clubhouse, an extension of the children's ministry that cares for kids while their parents receive services elsewhere on campus.
What They Believe
Vineyard Cincinnati focuses on the beliefs that unite all Christians and are in the mainstream of the historic Christian faith. The church affirms one eternal God - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - who created all things and rules over all things. Jesus, the Son of God, announced God's kingdom, defeated sin and Satan, died for our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day. Through Him, salvation and new life are offered, and He now reigns as King.
The Holy Spirit was poured out on the Church in power, indwells every believer, and releases spiritual gifts. The church believes in the ongoing filling and empowering of the Holy Spirit for life and ministry today, including the gifts of healing. The Bible is God's Word, inspired, trustworthy, and the final authority for faith and life.
Every person is made in the image of God and has great dignity and worth. Through sin, humanity is broken, yet God's image remains and He pursues every person in love. Salvation is a gift of grace through Jesus Christ, received by repentance and faith. The Church is the community of all who follow Jesus, called to demonstrate and extend God's kingdom through the power of the Holy Spirit. Baptism identifies the believer with Jesus' death and resurrection, and Communion remembers His sacrifice and centers the Church on His presence and kingdom.
Finally, the church teaches that God's kingdom has come through Jesus and is now but not yet fully revealed. It is present now through the Holy Spirit and will one day be complete when Jesus returns, raising the dead, judging evil, and making all things new.
Groups, Discipleship, and a Year-Round Calendar
Small groups are at the center of how the church makes disciples. The teaching team describes it this way: "Real transformation doesn't happen from a distance. It happens in relationship - with God's Word, His Spirit, and His people." Groups meet during three seasons of the year - fall, winter, and spring - usually on Tuesday and Thursday evenings in homes, coffee shops, or on the church campus when space is available. There are groups for men, women, couples, young adults, those 55 and older, singles, and multigenerational mixers. Some groups discuss the Sunday message, others study a book of the Bible, and others work through a video-based Bible study.
Childcare is offered on campus Tuesday evenings to make it easier for families to participate. The church also trains group leaders and walks new leaders through what leading a group actually looks like, from the first meeting to the harder conversations. Stephanie Lofton, Director of Groups, Discipleship and Next Steps, oversees the ministry, with Marcelina Hernandez coordinating Hispanic ministry alongside.
Beyond groups, an ongoing calendar of classes and workshops runs throughout the year. Alpha is a free, dinner-and-conversation series about life, faith, and meaning, with childcare provided. Discover VCC is a monthly gathering after both services for newcomers to learn about the church and meet others who are new. Baptism Classes are offered the morning of baptism Sundays, with baptism services held several times a year.
Young Adults and Hispanic Ministry
Young Adults ministry at Vineyard Cincinnati is for people roughly ages 18 to 35. Each month the ministry gathers for "Final Friday," a night set aside for friends, food, honest conversation, and time with God. Weekly small groups are also central, and the ministry hosts a spring retreat and other events throughout the year. Updates are sent by text ("YA" to 513-440-3312), a GroupMe chat keeps everyone in the loop, and the Young Adults Instagram account shares the latest.
Marcelina Hernandez serves as Associate Pastor and Coordinator of Hispanic Ministry, with Elizabeth Lopez as a bilingual ministry coordinator at The Healing Center. The church offers Spanish-language resources including a Spanish "Plan Your Visit" form, a "Conectar" connect card, and a "Reunión Conexión Hispana" gathering that combines shared food, community, and a time of worship in Spanish. Simultaneous Spanish interpretation at every Sunday service is part of the church's effort to be bilingual.
Breakthrough Ministry and the Gifts of the Spirit
Breakthrough Ministry is the church's prayer and equipping arm, led by Clay Harrington, Senior Director. The ministry trains ordinary people to operate in the gifts of the Spirit in everyday life. Cincinnati School of Supernatural Ministry (CSSM) is a fifteen-week school launched in collaboration with Vineyard Church Northwest, covering topics like Kingdom Worldview, identity, sharing faith naturally supernaturally, growing in the gifts of the Spirit, and prophecy. Classes meet Tuesday evenings.
Kingdom Equipping Classes run one Wednesday evening a month, with rotating topics such as hearing the voice of God, prophecy, and tongues. Holy Spirit Nights are extended evenings of worship, teaching, and practice in the gifts of the Spirit, followed by a charcuterie spread in the Atrium for community time. Ministry Prayer Workshops are full-day trainings on praying for others, using a five-step prayer model, L-shaped listening, and other practical skills. Completing the workshop is the first step for anyone who wants to serve on the Sunday Prayer Team.
Weddings, Funerals, and Pastoral Care
The Pastoral Care Team hosts weddings in the on-site Chapel, which seats 250, and Vineyard pastors also perform offsite ceremonies. Couples marrying at the Chapel or by a Vineyard pastor are required to participate either in a marriage preparation course approved by the marrying pastor or the church's Alpha Pre-Marriage Course, offered twice a year (spring and fall). The course covers communication, conflict, commitment, connection, and adventure, and includes a private couple survey and a mentoring session with a Pre-Marriage Ministry couple. A Wedding Information Packet and Chapel Usage Agreement are available online.
The Pastoral Care Team also coordinates funerals for church members and their families, and offers ongoing care through Grief Support (an eight-week course for adults 18 and over), Transforming Betrayal (an open group for women who have experienced the pain of a spouse's or partner's betrayal through infidelity, pornography, or compulsive sexual behavior), a 55+ Gathering with food and games, and one-on-one prayer support on Sundays.
The Pastoral Team
Matt Massey serves as Lead Pastor of Vineyard Cincinnati. JR Cifani is Executive Pastor, and Clay Harrington sits on the executive leadership team as Senior Director of Breakthrough Ministry. The senior directors group also includes Daniel McKee (Next Generation), Jennifer Shock (Discipleship and Next Steps), Kristi Jacobsen (Church Experience), and Trevor Bryan (Finance & Operations).
Across the staff, more than sixty people serve in ministry and operations. The Children's team is led by Bethany Robertson (Vineyard Kids Director), with Bob Collopy as Early Childhood Pastor and Deven J. Stover as Associate Director of Elementary. The Students team is led by Lane Gramling with Erin Klenke as Middle School Youth Pastor. Tyler Jarvis directs the Worship Team, Ashlynn Kinniard serves as Worship Pastor, and Kelechi Kanu is a Worship Leader. Cassy Cooper directs Stewardship and Generosity, Stephanie Lofton directs Groups, Swetha Vincent directs Pastoral Care and Biblical Unity, and Jon Weiner directs Evangelism within Breakthrough Ministry.
Generosity, Giving, and Stewardship
The church teaches that time, energy, talents, relationships, work, and money are all gifts from God meant to be stewarded well. Giving is offered online through a secure account portal, by text to 513-657-4222, by mail, by stock transfer (arranged through the Financial Services office), and by cash or check in the giving boxes near each exit. A 90-Day Tithing Challenge and free budget coaching are available for anyone who wants to grow in financial health. The Tithing FAQs page addresses common questions about debt, net vs. gross income, and giving as a retiree or business owner.
Vineyard Cincinnati publishes an annual Impact Report and annual audits, all available to the congregation and the broader community. The Pastoral Care Team and Financial Services team are committed to helping members practice generosity as a spiritual discipline rather than an obligation.
Joining the Story
Vineyard Cincinnati describes itself as a church for people who want more than a life lived on their own terms. Whether someone has followed Jesus for years or is not sure what they think about God, the church says, there is a place for them here. The next step could be a Sunday service, a Plan Your Visit form, a small group, a baptism class, a serving team at The Healing Center, or a six-week Alpha conversation over dinner. Each one is described in the same way: not a checkbox, but a doorway into "more."