Jason DiPinto - U.S. Marine Chaplin

Jason DiPinto joined the New Haven Vineyard in 1998. He participated in several ministries here at VCF New Haven, including our youth group, worship team, Healing Journey and outreach ministries. In 2002, Jason began pursuing a call to full-time ministry, applying starting seminary at Yale Divinity School for the Fall Term. In 2006, Jason came on staff here at the Vineyard as an intern while completing his practical ministry requirements, and in January 2007 he became a licensed minister and Assistant Pastor here at the church. In 2006, Jason met Laura Brown at a Vineyard home group in New Haven. Laura comes from a missionary family, and grew up in the Middle East and in the United Kingdom. Laura completed her Engineering Degree from the University of Southern California in 2006, and she moved to Connecticut soon after.

Jason and Laura were married in 2007, and Jason continued to serve here as Assistant Pastor, spearheading our Outreach ministries and preaching on numerous occasions.

In 2008, Jason was commissioned in the United States Navy as a Chaplain, and was ordained and sent out from our church for training in Newport, RI and his first assignment with the 2d Marine Division in Camp LeJeune, NC. Jason was quickly assigned to 3d Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, and deployed to southern Afghanistan in the Fall of 2008. During his 7-month deployment, 3/8 was the only Marine infantry battalion in Afghanistan and participated in full-spectrum counter-insurgency operations throughout Helmand and Farah provinces.

Jason was busy last year. In March/April, Jason spent 3 weeks at Ft Pickett, VA, training with 3d Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment. While there, he led Holy Week services and performed 7 (!) Easter Services. At the end of April, Jason spent 10 days on-board the USS Kearsarge with 3/8, and had the traditional "Navy life" experience for the first time. For three weeks in May and early June, Jason was sent to Ft Benning, GA, where he attended the Army's Basic Airborne Course. While there, Jason completed 5 solo parachute jumps and qualified as a parachutist (Jump Wings).

Jason & Laura recently transferred from 2d Marine Division in North Carolina to the USS Bonhomme Richard in beautiful, sunny San Diego. Jason is the ship's chaplain and works alongside a fellow chaplain who is a Roman Catholic priest. He is not currently scheduled to spend an extensive amount of time at sea, for at least the next few months.

Laura continues to work for General Electric. She has the benefit of working from their home in San Diego, where they live only one block from the beach. Jeeves (the dog) enjoys chasing sea-gulls on the beach and the nice California weather.