GET TO KNOW US
Our Vision
Our Goals
2. To offer them the opportunity to have personal encounter with Christ and become true members of God’s family. [Matt 28:19]
3. To create a platform to disciple everyone who becomes a member into Christ-like maturity [Matt 28:20; Col 1:28].
4. To prepare members for Christian service and missions. [Matt 22:39; 28:19]
5. To raise an army of believers whose sole aim is to glorify God in all things and make heaven. [Matt 22:37-38]
Our Identity
Marriage Policy
GOD’S VINEYARD MINISTRY’S (GVM) BIBLICAL POSITION ON
MARRIAGE, DIVORCE, AND RE-MARRIAGE
Marriage:
GVM affirms that God’s original and perfect will for marriage is that it is for
life, and that God
hates divorce. Marriage is a sacred
covenant ordained by God and intended to be permanent.
(Genesis
2:24 KJV) “Therefore shall a man
leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall
be one flesh.”
GVM further affirms that God's
intent for marriage is between one man and one woman, as initiated in
Genesis 1:27-28, and that all other forms of marriage or sexual unions are
biblically illegitimate (Mark 10:6-9; 1Corinthians 7:2; Hebrews 13:4)
Divorce:
Divorce
is not part of God’s original plan
for marriage and should never be encouraged.
Scripture teaches that divorce was permitted only because of the hardness
of human hearts, and not because it
reflects God’s perfect will.
“For the Lord God of Israel
says that He hates divorce…” Malachi 2:16 (NKJV)
Jesus reaffirmed this truth,
teaching that what God has joined together should not be separated by man
(Matthew 19:3–6; Mark 10:2–12). GVM acknowledges God’s
description of divorce as being unfaithful to your spouse, and that He acts as
witness in the covenant of marriage (Malachi 2:14-16).
Jesus taught clearly that
divorce often results in adultery, except in specific circumstances (Matthew
5:31–32; Luke 16:18; Matthew 19:6–9).
Biblical
Grounds for Divorce/Remarriage:
God’s
Vineyard Ministry (GVM) recognises only
two biblical grounds for divorce:
1.Sexual
Immorality (Adultery)
When a spouse commits sexual
sin and the innocent spouse is unable or unwilling to continue
the marriage, either because of the gravity of the wound, the persistence of
the adultery, or the irreparable nature of broken trust: Matthew 19:9 (NKJV)
In such cases, re-marriage
is not considered sinful,
though Scripture encourages reconciliation or remaining single if possible.
2.Abandonment
by an Unbelieving Spouse
If an unbelieving spouse
abandons the marriage, the believing spouse is not
under bondage and is free: 1 Corinthians 7:10–15 (NKJV).
Also, if a believing spouse resists
church discipline to the point of excommunication by themselves, or leaves the
spouse, that spouse should be considered as an unbelieving spouse.
3.Death of a Spouse:
The death of a spouse frees the believer
from the covenant or marriage. The widow or widower is biblically permitted to
remarry at any time of their choosing.
Pastoral
Approach and Reconciliation
GVM’s pastoral
position is that every possible effort
should be made to preserve marriage, even where biblical grounds for divorce
exist. This includes:
·
Prayer
·
Christian counselling
·
Other legally approved
counselling
·
Pastoral and church’s
intervention
·
Couples therapy
·
Temporary separation
where necessary to allow healing and reconciliation
Abuse: GVM does not expect partners
to endure abuse, – sexual, physical, emotional, etc – but to seek all legal and
pastoral help. The leadership may recommend a separation or step in to protect the
victim from further abuse if necessary.
Divorce should always be a last
resort.
Re-Marriage
and Legal Considerations
Where
divorce is biblically permitted, spouses should not
enter new relationships until the divorce
process is fully concluded. In line with UK law, these may include:
·
A minimum of two
years’ separation (with mutual consent) may
be recognised as grounds for divorce.
·
Five years’ separation
may be recognised without spousal consent.
GVM encourages patience,
godly counsel, and careful discernment during this process.
Who We Are
God’s Vineyard Ministries (GVM) was founded in Nottingham, United Kingdom in 2001 by Dr. Ezekiel Olusegun & Dr. (Mrs.) Funmi Alawale.
God’s Vineyard Ministries is a family church with a God given vision where God is the Gardener, Jesus is the Vine and we are the Branches.
Through this relationship, we spread the gospel to the world and bear fruits that abide to serve as the vineyard of God on earth. [John 15]
What We Do
Where You Can Fit In
Safeguarding Policy Statement
We believe that it is unacceptable for any child, young person or vulnerable adult to experience any form of abuse and we recognize our responsibility to safeguard their welfare and protect them from harm.
We equally provide our members with support, Pastoral care and recognise our duty of care to the congregation.
Our desire as a church is to create an environment where everyone feels safe and can grow in Christ.
We are committed to a safeguarding practice which protects every member and attendees of our church.
The purpose of this policy is to: Provide protection for all the children, young people and vulnerable adults who attend our church; Provide all staff and volunteers with guidance on procedures they should adopt in the event that they suspect a child, young person or vulnerable adult may be experiencing, or be at risk of harm (including how to make a referral)
Provide all staff and volunteers with guidance on what will happen if an allegation is made against them.
This policy applies to all staff, volunteers and anyone working on behalf of the church.
We recognise that: The welfare of every child, young person and vulnerable adult is paramount;
All children, young people and vulnerable adults have the right to equal protection from all types of harm or abuse and have the right to freedom from harm or abuse;
All our staff and volunteers need to be aware, trained and accept responsibility for safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults in their care.
We will endeavour to safeguard children, young persons and vulnerable adults by: Listening to, respecting them and making them to feel Valued.
Adopting child protection guidelines and statutory requirements through detailed procedures;
Adopting a code of conduct for all staff members and Volunteers; Responding quickly and appropriately to all suspicions or allegations of abuse or issues relating to child welfare; Working in partnerships with parents, carers, families and children and providing them with the opportunities to voice any concerns they may have; Recruiting staff, including volunteers safely and ensuring adequate checks are made; Providing effective management for all staff through induction, supervision, support, appropriate safeguarding training and any other relevant training; Ensuring confidential information is stored and managed in accordance with national guidance.
If there are any allegations that a child, young person or vulnerable adult is at risk or may have been harmed, we will investigate thoroughly to establish the facts. Following this investigation, we will co-operate with the police and the Local Authorities in any further investigation. We will offer Pastoral care and support to anyone who has suffered from any kind of abuse by counselling and helping them through a healing process which is in line with the word of God. If an allegation is made against any member of staff, the staff will be withdrawn from serving with children, young people and vulnerable adults in order for an investigation process to be initiated by the Designated Safeguarding Lead and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead of the church.
• Who to contact:
Names: Pastor Patricia Imade DSL | Pastor Yinka and Pastor Funmi DDSL
Telephone No: 0115 697 7067 ; 07828 656895, Time: 10am-6pm Monday-Friday and Sunday Email: safeguard@godsvineyardministries.org
If you are concerned about a child or an adult and you wish to contact our Safeguarding Team, send an email with your Name and contact details which will be handled with confidentiality in accordance to our policies.