Vineyard churches hold European conference focusing on Kingdom of God teachings

The Vineyard church family gathered in Barcelona for the European Partnership Conference, titled *The Great Story of the Kingdom*, from 17 to 20 September 2025. Around 120 participants, including pastors, church planters, leaders, and partners from Spain, Portugal, France, Switzerland, Sweden, the UK, Ukraine, Estonia, Lithuania, Belgium, the US, Brazil, and Chile, attended the four-day event. The conference was sponsored by Vineyard Iberia and hosted by La Viña Barcelona, providing a platform for networking, fellowship, and theological reflection.

Vineyard missions leaders and representatives from Europe, Brazil, and the US met prior to the conference, fostering collaboration across regions. The event featured talks by Derek Morphew and Tom Thompson, who explored the Kingdom of God in depth, drawing from both Old and New Testament teachings. Their insights emphasized the relevance of the Kingdom to all aspects of life, reflecting a central theme of the Vineyard movement.

Derek Morphew, based in South Africa, is a prominent theologian within the Vineyard movement and has authored numerous works on the subject. Tom Thompson, senior pastor of a Vineyard church near London, is part of Vineyard UK and Ireland’s leadership team. Their messages highlighted the dual nature of the Kingdom of God—its present reality and its future fulfillment, as described in Mark 1:15, where Jesus proclaimed, “The kingdom of God has drawn near.”

Throughout the conference, participants engaged in discussions in Spanish, French, and English, fostering cross-cultural dialogue and mutual understanding. The Vineyard movement’s relational emphasis was evident in the opportunities for deepening relationships and forming new connections, particularly during meals and evening gatherings.

The conference also included visits to Barcelona’s attractions, such as the beach and the Sagrada Familia cathedral. Participants expressed admiration for the cathedral’s grandeur, underscoring the city’s spiritual and cultural significance. The event balanced theological reflection with fellowship, offering a space for both spiritual growth and communal connection.

The Vineyard movement’s focus on the “now and not yet” of the Kingdom of God remains a defining characteristic. This perspective, rooted in Jesus’ proclamation, shapes the movement’s mission and expectations of divine action. As participants reflected on these themes, they were reminded of the importance of living in anticipation of God’s full revelation, while actively engaging in His work in the present.

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