In May of 2015, a fire tore through Valley Vineyard Church and left our building in ruins. That kind of loss would have been devastating for any church, but especially in a small town like Chippewa Falls, where people are deeply connected to places of worship. We had to face the reality that everything we had built physically was gone. But in that loss, something deeper was born. Rather than shrink back, our congregation pressed in on each other, into prayer, into our community. And to our surprise, we didn’t lose people after the fire. We grew.
A Refining Moment
That fire became a refining moment for us. It reminded us that the church is never just about a building. It’s about the people you walk with, love, serve, and sacrifice for. When we held our first worship service back in our new building in September 2016, I remember someone asking, “Aren’t you the church that burned down?” I smiled and said, “Yes, we’re the church that overcomes.” That phrase has stuck with us ever since. It describes who we are and what we believe our mission is: to meet our community where they are, in the highs and lows, and bring the love of Jesus in tangible, practical ways.
One of the ways we’ve leaned into that mission is through our annual School Supply and Backpack Giveaway. Every August, our church campus transforms into a hub of generosity and connection. What began over a decade ago with a few bags of supplies for local kids has grown into a full-scale effort involving hundreds of volunteers, donations from businesses, and support from schools and other churches. We now give away close to a thousand backpacks each year, packed with everything a student might need to start the school year with confidence.
What’s powerful about this event is not just the supplies, it’s the relationships. Parents and kids walk onto our campus and are greeted with warmth and respect. Volunteers don’t just hand things out; they listen, laugh, carry bags, and pray silently as they serve. The giveaway has become a yearly reminder to our community that God’s love shows up not just in worship songs, but in pencils, notebooks, and packed backpacks. It also builds trust with people who may never walk into a Sunday service, but who come back year after year because they know we care.
Building Strong Community Partnerships
These efforts wouldn’t be possible without strong partnerships. We’ve worked hand in hand with local schools, especially the Chippewa Falls School District and its family support staff. Civic organizations, small businesses, food pantries, and fellow churches have all pitched in over the years. That kind of collaboration is one of the strengths of rural ministry. When you’re in a smaller town, people notice when you show up, and they remember it when you do it consistently. These relationships aren’t just helpful; they’re essential. They expand the reach of the church far beyond what we could ever do on our own.
Another highlight of our year is Party in the Park, a completely free, community-wide celebration we host each Autumn. We bring in live music, food, games for the kids, face painting, and resource booths, everything you’d expect from a great Fall festival. And here’s the catch: there’s no admission, no strings, and no expectations. We tell people to leave their wallets at home. We want them to know this party is our gift to the city.
What I love about Party in the Park is the freedom it creates. It’s not about pushing an agenda; it’s about creating a joyful, welcoming space where people can relax, smile, and be together. That’s Kingdom work. I’ve watched kids dance barefoot in the grass while parents share stories over root beer. I’ve seen lonely people find friendship, and skeptical people ask questions they never would in a sanctuary. In those moments, the gospel is alive, without a sermon, but full of grace.
It's Not about Doing More...
As Vineyard USA’s Small Town Specialist, I talk with rural pastors across the country who wonder how to engage their communities more effectively. And the truth is, it’s often not about doing more, but doing the right things with intentionality. You don’t need a huge budget or a massive team. What you need is presence, consistency, and a willingness to love people without needing them to come to your church. Our story after the fire, the growth of the backpack drive, the joy of the park party, none of that happened overnight. It grew from years of showing up, listening, learning, and serving.
I’ve learned that in rural ministry, visibility matters. People want to know who you are before they care what you preach. And when you’re out there in the community, helping kids find school supplies, flipping burgers at a summer party, walking alongside families through crisis, your church becomes more than a Sunday service. It becomes a beacon of hope.
There’s something powerful about offering gifts with no strings attached. It tells people they are valued simply because they are made in God’s image. It opens doors to conversations that aren’t forced and relationships that are lasting. We’ve seen that again and again at Valley Vineyard. And while we’ve faced challenges along the way, the fruit has been worth every step.
An Encouragement to Pastors
If I could offer one encouragement to other pastors serving in small towns, it would be this: Love your community with open hands. Show up with no agenda but Jesus. Build trust through presence. And when things get hard—and they will—remember that God often does His best work through fire, through ashes, through rebuilding.
We’re still the church that overcame a fire. But more than that, we’re a church that chose to love our town. And by God’s grace, we’ll keep doing it, for backpacks, for parties, for partnerships, and for the Kingdom.
Michael Houle serves as the National Small Town USA Specialist for Vineyard USA, where he supports and resources pastors and churches serving in rural communities across the country. He and his wife, Trisha, are the founding and lead pastors of Valley Vineyard Church in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, which they planted in 2005. Under their leadership, the church has grown into a vibrant, community focused congregation impacting their area with the love of Jesus. Michael also serves as the Area Leader for Vineyard pastors in Northern Wisconsin. His heart is to encourage, equip, and walk alongside rural pastors as they faithfully lead in places often overlooked, but never forgotten by God.
