It’s with a profound sense of gratitude to God that we’re announcing he has provided a new couple to serve as the new Lead Pastors of The Vineyard Church—Peoria! Our church family welcomes Matthew and Brittany Lappin—who are Illinois natives—and their 2 children Arthur (6) and Elenor (Ellie,5), from Wilmington, NC, where they served the Lord in various assignments for the last seven years.

Matthew and Brittany are passionate about raising up communities of hope and healing. In addition to her role at the church, Brittany continues her mission and ministry daily in the classroom as a professional educator. In their spare time the entire family enjoys hiking, gardening, board games, and family movie nights.

Matthew, Brittany, and kids will arrive in Peoria on November 9. Ben and Tina will begin an intensive 2-month on-boarding and transition time with them. Ben’s final sermon series—Things I Hope: Dreams for Our Future—launches on Sunday, October 31 and will run for 4 weeks as he shares his parting, encouraging words with our church family.

Matthew will begin preaching as we launch our Advent sermon series—INBREAKING – The Kingdom Come at Christmas—on Sunday, November 28!

We’re thankful for the many, many ways the Holy Spirit has moved in our church family over the last decade. And we’re also anticipating that “greater things are yet to be done” in our communities in the days, months, and years ahead under Matthew and Brittany’s leadership.

Warmly,
Ben