Our Story

New Vine began in late 1995, the result of a church planting partnership by Victory Baptist Church and Hunter Christian Community Church. Paul Whiting and Andrew Cole wanted to plant a church in the western suburbs of Newcastle. The brand new church of 30 kicked off, meeting in the Regal Cinema at Birmingham Gardens in October, 1995. 

In 1997, New Vine became affiliated as a Baptist Church in NSW. A few years later, in 2000 – with a growing congregation of 120 – a vision to establish a permanent presence in Maryland was born. We began meeting at the Maryland Community Centre and commenced work on the current Maryland site.

In 2003, we launched Glocal – our missions program responding to the great commission to "Give, Go, Pray." In the next few years, our first church plant, H20, began meeting in Thornton.

By 2008, building projects at our current site were coming along, and New Vine Lakes Church was planted in East Lake Macquarie. A few years later in 2014, New Vine Vineyards also began meeting in Nulkaba. During this time we also sent our first missions team to assist with building projects in Vanuatu – the first of many, not only to Vanuatu, but numerous places around the world.

New Vine Beaches, began meeting on Sunday afternoons in Dudley 2018 (later moving into the Jewells Baptist Church facilities, where it meets now on Sunday mornings). In 2019, we continued work on our Maryland site, and saw the completion of the foyer space, new kids ministry spaces, and our Heroes sensory Room for children and young people living with special needs.

In January 2022 New Vine successfully navigated through the first major leadership transition in its 28 year history, with long term New Viner DJ Konz being affirmed by the congregation, on the recommendation of the Lead Team, in the role of Lead Pastor.

In 2023, we set a three‑year vision to reach, grow, and love 500 households in our church and community. By God’s grace, we have met this vision and continue to reach, grow, and love.

New Vine Community Pantry opened its doors to the public in March 2025, offering a welcoming space where people can access affordable groceries and build meaningful friendships.

Another church plant, The Colliery, was launched in early 2026. Based in West Wallsend, they are passionate about reaching youth and young adults in the area.

Reach.

out to our community.

Grow.

in life and faith, together.

Love.

Jesus. Love like Jesus.