History of the VEF

 

The Virginia Evangelizing Fellowship (VEF) was organized to encourage the restoration of the evangelism and fellowship that were hallmarks of the first century church. For over 75 years, exciting new concepts have fueled the pursuit of Kingdom growth in Virginia and beyond.

 

An initial rally was held in 1938 at the 24th Street Church of Christ in Newport News. Ministers and church leaders then met annually at the Salem Church and at County Line and Sheva Churches in Pittsylvania County. At the 1940 meeting, the first officers were elected and the first Constitution was adopted.

 

At the 1941 meeting in Norfolk, the VEF’s first new congregation in Staunton was planned. The Waynesboro church and G.T. Bateman, called as the first VEF evangelist, were instrumental in the launch. In 1943, a second new church was started in Winchester. The VEF has laid the foundation for 61 new churches in the state. Since 1989, Virginia Vision has planted self-supporting churches in high-growth areas underserved by independent Christian churches. With the leadership of Tim Cole, Director of Church Planting, Virginia Vision has gained national recognition as a unique church planting organization. 

 

Noble Trible, Ernest A. Miller, Ralph Carter, Roy Miller and Marion Harris led the VEF from 1947 to 2004. Assisting existing churches to increase their effectiveness in ministry and evangelism was a goal of these early leaders, and it continues in the 21st century with coaching, Fusion Groups, assimilation seminars and building evaluations led by Dave Hileman, VEF Executive Director since 2004, and Harry Gill, Director of Church Resources. The loan fund has granted 1.7 million dollars in interest-free loans to 84 churches since 1956. 

 

To represent the VEF well in the rapidly changing world of communication, Rachel Woolard manages the website and all social media, providing branding and web services for new and existing churches as Director of Media Communications.

 

The first mimeographed edition of the VEF News was published in July 1947. It contained a statement of purpose, list of officers, the Ropeholder Plan, and a brief history of the cooperative work. In the next ten years, subscriptions grew to over 1,000 and currently almost 5000 newsletters are sent out quarterly.

 

The work of the VEF has been made possible since the beginning by support from Virginia churches and from individuals who participated in the Ropeholder Plan, Apollos Appeal and, currently, Kingdom Equation. A 501 C (3) status, achieved in 2005, and financial management software now provide increased accountability to VEF donors.

 

The VEF Rallys, statewide youth rallys, Virginia Christian Convention, and regional Blueprint and preaching seminars have resulted in fellowship and practical instruction in church leadership, equipping our churches to effectively reach their communities with the gospel.