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The history of The Vine began with the vision to reach the people of Braselton with the love of Jesus Christ. In 2001 David Walters, a 24-year-old youth pastor, discovered the Chateau Elan area of Braselton for the first time in his life. His in-laws moved into the community. At the time of their move, a gas station, a hotel, and the winery and resort area were the only visible structures of this area. Yet, God began to speak to David’s heart about the need for a church presence in that area. While starting a church in that area was not a reality at the time for David, he contacted the appropriate leadership of the United Methodist North Georgia Conference. He told them that someone needed to start a church in that area. Those leaders began researching the area and made plans to start a church in the Chateau Élan community. In the meantime, David continued his work as a youth pastor and then an associated pastor at Snellville United Methodist Church. During that time he often made trips to visit his in-laws and each time he returned to the Chateau Elan area, the desire to start a church continued to grow within David’s heart. In addition to David’s desire to reach the people of Chateau Elan, Sugar Hill UMC gained membership from that area and beyond. Towards the end of 2005, SHUMC began prayerful-visioning for a ministry to reach that area. Under the leadership of Pastor Steve Wood, the decision was made by the church to extend their ministries by supporting the efforts of a new church. In June of 2006, the vision of Sugar Hill UMC, The North Georgia Conference, and David collided in an effort to start a new church called The Vine. |
