Over the past several years, Vineyard USA has emphasized the holistic health and well-being of pastors and leaders: mental, emotional, spiritual, physical, and relational. This priority shows up in initiatives like the creation of the Pastoral Health & Formation department and implementation of new safeguarding, ethics, and compliance measures through trusted third-party partners. One such partner, Vitalization Wellness, is in its third year of partnership with Vineyard USA, helping meet the health needs of the movement.
Founded by Jeff and Stephanie Frey and Chris Miller in 2014, Vitalization Wellness has been an incredible partner in caring for those who have reported harm through Vineyard USA’s reporting mechanism; whether emotional, physical, or spiritual. Vitalization Wellness works primarily with non-profit organizations, specifically people in helping professions. Their confidential program assesses each client’s needs and connects them with a team of professionals to address those needs. Vitalization Wellness provides care for individuals who have used the Vineyard USA confidential reporting hotline to share an instance of abuse or misconduct within a Vineyard Church. To date, Vitalization Wellness has provided extensive multi-session care to 27 individuals via Vineyard USA referrals, with more in the referral pipeline. Additionally, Vitalization Wellness has partnered with Vineyard USA to provide many assessments, coaching sessions, cohort offerings (dietitians, physical trainers, etc.), and more. Most recently, a handful of these tools have become readily available to Association of Vineyard Churches National Directors, extending the partnership globally.
After receiving a referral from Vineyard USA, Vitalization Wellness performs a comprehensive, validated assessment paid for by Vineyard USA and then connects individuals with professionals who assist in any number of areas (therapy, nutrition, financial coaching, etc.). Vitalization Wellness works with around 250 practitioners across a variety of disciplines and around the country, and those assigned to a particular client act as a coordinated care team, collaborating on support plans and making sure everyone is working in tandem for the benefit of the client.
Jeff Frey, one of the founders, offers an example: For example, someone seeking care after spiritual harm may discover through the assessment that they would benefit from therapeutic support, nutritional care, financial coaching, or other forms of support connected to the areas of life affected by that experience. This wraparound care supports the mending work of the Holy Spirit in each client’s life as they walk toward wellness.
While Vineyard USA has partnered with Vitalization Wellness to care for pastors and people in specific circumstances, Jeff stressed that Vitalization Wellness is accessible to everyone and can help people work through the effects of trauma or just help with normal life and relationships. Whether an individual decides to reach out or a local church’s staff or board acts as the catalyst, Vitalization Wellness is essentially a one-stop shop for supporting those in the church community who spend their lives caring for others. “Everyone needs help,” Jeff says, “and we want to be there to provide that help.” Vineyard USA is grateful to partner with Vitalization Wellness as we work hand in hand to care for those who have come forward through Vineyard USA’s reporting process.