About Us
Our Mission
The Vine Institute’s mission is to connect and equip Christian leaders from among God’s diverse people, strengthening churches in the Intermountain West, and celebrating God’s glory.
We Desire To:
- Equip church leaders for service in their local congregations
- Resource, partner with and serve New American congregations
- Connect the body of Christ for multi-ethnic worship and equipping
- Act as a bridge to connect the diverse church communities in Utah
Core Values
• Biblical Faithfulness
• Holy Spirit Spirituality – Holy Spirit Guided
• Transformational Leadership
• Kingdom Orientation
• Multi-cultural Experience
• Collaborative Relationships
Statement of Faith
As a biblically-based community standing in historic communion with all who affirm the Apostles’ Creed and Nicene Creed:
God
We worship the one and only, true and living God – eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – who is the Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier. May the name of the Lord be praised forever.
Jesus Christ
We rejoice, for God fully reconciles us by grace alone through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone, the Son who entered the world as truly human, was crucified for all our sins, rose from the dead, ascended into heaven, and is Lord of all. Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift.
Holy Spirit
We hope, because the Holy Spirit pours God’s love into our hearts, incorporating us into the Church, the body of Christ, and gives us grace and peace in lives of joyful service. Lord, may you rule on earth as in heaven.
The Bible
We receive the Bible as God’s inspired and unfailing Word to us, the fully authoritative and reliable statement of who God is, who we are, what we believe, and how we live. Blessed are those who live according to it.
Our Salvation
We confess our own efforts cannot save us from sin and death, and we mourn the world’s tragic brokenness and helplessness as consequences of human rebellion. Lord, have mercy.
Our Hope
Our Contribution
Our leadership team has 25 years of experience teaching theological education and working cross-culturally both in Utah and abroad. In collaboration with many churches and organizations, we have trained hundreds of active ministry leaders from more than 70 different congregations representing more than 30 denominations and 25 different cultures!
We are a resource accessible to students and ministry leaders for intercultural studies and speciality.
Our Vision
We are a resource accessible to students and ministry leaders for intercultural studies and speciality.
From Seminary to Accessible Community Leadership
The Vine Institute is a multi-denominational school of theological education providing practical, relevant, Christian education, and leadership training. This 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation has operated in Utah for over 25 years.
Founded in 1984 as the Utah Institute for Biblical Studies and located in the unique religious setting of Utah, the school existed to equip men and women to meet the challenges of sharing the Good News in the midst of the increasing cultural diversity of our world. Expanding its programs in 1998 to include graduate degrees and renamed Salt Lake Theological Seminary, the institution continued to offer effective leadership training combined with rigorous academic study and formative mentored experiences, making it an invaluable resource for Christian servants.
In 2010 the school reemerged as The Vine Institute, a diversified, decentralized, educational network serving developing leaders in Utah’s established churches as well as refugee and immigrant church communities. The Vine Institute continues the ongoing vision for Christian leadership training that includes formative mentoring. The mission is “Networking the Christian community for effective collaborative leadership.”
A Word from Our
Executive Director
“I grew up in Ghana with a traditional theological upbringing. My thoughts about God were dogmatically shaped in my youth. I understood that God is omnipotent and omniscient, and so not to be questioned. I also believed that if God wants to do anything, He does not need our involvement.
However, I later learned that God calls us to partner with Him and one another to bring about His Kingdom transformation across the nations. This is how I came to the United States and to serve as the Executive Director of The Vine Institute.”
– Peter Asiamah
Our Staff
Meet the dedicated members of our team!
Liz Micka
Financial Director
Liz started in administration at the Salt Lake Theological Seminary and has continued through our transition to The Vine Institute.
Besides keeping our financial budget, she is passionate about mentoring and connecting with students.
Liz is a current member of The Well – Sandy
Alex Manship
Administrative Coordinator
A life-long learner with a passion to serve his community.
The Vine Institute is a great place to experience the diversity of God’s people and learn to love your neighbors well.
Alex is a member of Missio Dei Community – SLC.
Kay Rudd
Multicultural Educator
Over 30 years of experience in teaching and mission work developing education and leadership training among Christians in the US and the South Pacific.
Kay is an Elder at The Fellowship – Sandy.
David Rowe
Facilitator
Teacher for Salt Lake Theological Seminary since 1991 and now The Vine Institute.
Author of I ♥ Mormons: A New Way to Share Christ with Latter-day Saints
David loves connecting his life as a Jesus follower, especially through God’s global mission to all peoples, singing his theology, and God’s sheer grace.
David is a missionary staff with Missions Door.
Lance McGinnis
Facilitator
Lance has been a pastor, missionary in central Mexico for 8 years and church planter for nearly 48 years. He wants to continue to see people come to know Jesus, equip the body of Christ for ministry and see God’s kingdom come and His will be done.
Lance currently works with Oziel de la Cruz and his Hispanic church facilitating courses.
Lance attends church at The Fellowship where his daughter and son in law pastor.
Ask the Director
Interested in joining our Staff, Facilitators, or serving on the Board of Directors? The Vine Institute’s Director Peter Asiamah will get you connected!