About the Pastor Alphonso Ivy Jr.

God gave Pastor Alphonso Ivy Jr. the vision for Vine Life Christian Center in 2023 and it was written down to make it plain just as the scripture says in Habakuk 2:2. Pastor Alphonso Ivy Jr. and Kelsia Ivy founded Vine Life Christian Center in August of 2023. The first service was held in March of 2024.
Pastor Alphonso Ivy Jr. was born and raised in Dyersburg, Tennessee. He was born to Alphonso Ivy Sr. of Okolona Mississippi and Peggy Ivy of Dyersburg, Tennessee. He was introduced to God at a young age and attended Tabernacle Baptist Church led by Reverend G.W. Tyus. His great aunt Jessie Mae Brown, and paternal grandmother, Ernestine Harvey-Ivy (a revered Sunday school teacher), were just two of his most significant spiritual influences. In 1990, Alphonso relocated to St. Louis, Missouri and eventually joined Mt. Gideon Missionary Baptist church under Reverend Houston, where he remained a faithful member until joining the United States Navy in 1995.
In 1999, Alphonso got engaged to Kelsia Ivy and they began attending St. Louis Christian Center led by Pastor Alfred D. Harvey, a “teacher of teachers” who made the scripture very clear. The couple became members in January2000, and shortly thereafter, Alphonso began serving in the church’s “Help’s Ministry.” In 2005, he was given a leadership role with the church counselors, previously known as “Personal Ministry.,” It was evident that God was moving in Alphonso’s life, which Elder Odell Johnson also recognized. He then encouraged Alphonso to attend Minister’s classes for further training and to confirm his calling. Alphonso continued to “walk by faith” and later began the Ministerial Apprenticeship Program (M.A.P), which was a four-year program of hands on training and theological instruction.
In 2015, shortly before graduating from M.A.P., Alphonso was added to the roster of the official church teaching staff. God continued the “good work” He was doing with Alphonso, and on July 16, 2017, he was licensed as a minister. In that same year, Alphonso was promoted to Director of Teen Church and was later chosen to serve on the church’s executive board. That very next year, Minister Ivy was elevated to the position of Assistant Pastor and he faithfully served his church family and community. God continued to make Alphonso aware of the call on his life in 2021 when he spoke both through Pastor Harvey and to Pastor Ivy in regard to leading his people as a Shepperd. Currently, God’s work hasn’t stopped and He has blessed Pastor Ivy to be a loving husband, father, counselor, role-model, and most importantly, a servant-leader and shepherd who is committed to kingdom building by teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ.