OUR TEAM

Teaching Pastor

Hi! I'm Vince Oliveri, and I serve as the Teaching Pastor at The Vine Church. Originally from Chicago IL, I have lived in many places—Madison WI, Pittsburgh PA, Austin TX, Richmond VA, and Southwest VA. Alongside my wife Kara and our four kiddos, Zoe, Theo, Bo, and Lucy, I now love to call Blacksburg home. I hold a BS in Human Development from Virginia Tech, an MDiv in Christian Ministry from Southeastern Seminary, and a PhD in Theology from the University of Aberdeen in Scotland, UK.

I'm passionate about teaching the Bible, cultivating a gospel-saturated community, and training future church leaders, pastors, and church planters. In addition to pastoring at the Vine and teaching seminary courses in theology with Southeastern Seminary and the Bonhoeffer Haus, I also love to get coffee with friends, read and write stories for my kiddos, and go on adventures with my family.

Worship Pastor

Hey! My name is E.L. Smiling and I serve as the Worship Pastor at the Vine. I grew up in Stafford, Virginia and came to Blacksburg as a student in 2010 to play football at Virginia Tech and pursue a business degree. I also work for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes at Virginia Tech as the Campus Director and Men’s Basketball Chaplain.

My wife Meghan and I have a son E.L. Smiling IV and we enjoy board/card games and competitive fun. I love good music, food and developing leaders in the church, in worship and in campus ministry.

It is a blessing to serve at The Vine and to be on mission with so many wonderful brothers and sisters who love the Lord and love this community!

Pastor Elder

Hello, my name is Dave Gittings Jr. and I serve as one of the Pastor’s at The Vine Church. I was born again and adopted into the family of God through faith in Jesus Christ in October of 1996. I am from Pittsburgh, PA. I lived many years on St. Simons Island, GA before coming to Blacksburg VA. in 2013.

I served our country in the US Navy, after which became a successful Entrepreneur in the Automotive care business before my call to ministry in 2001. I completed courses from The Charles Stanley Institute and The Sanberg Leadership Institute of Ashland Theological Seminary.

I was Licensed and Ordained to Pastoral Ministry by the Georgia Baptist Association in 2004 and became Senior Pastor of St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church of Saint Simons Island, GA. and, worked in mission ministry for The Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

In 2008, my passion for Jesus and sports led me to use my Pastoral gifting full time as a FCA Director and Team Chaplain. Today, in addition to my role on the Pastoral Team at the Vine, I serve as the NRV FCA Metro Area Director and Virginia Tech Football Chaplain.

My wife Kim and I have four adult children. Aaron, Everett and Daughter in Law Katie, Niesha, Briana and Son in Law, US Army Captain Stanthony Nelms. We are blessed with 3 beautiful granddaughters, Aaliyah, Harper Rose, and Harley Grace. We enjoy being with our family, traveling and musical plays.

I’m passionate about teaching the truth’s of God’s Word and inviting people to be in relationship with Jesus and making disciples who make disciples. My life verse is Galatians 2:20.

Discipleship Pastor

Hi! I'm Michael Worrall and I serve as the Discipleship Pastor at the Vine Church. I grew up in Virginia Beach, Virginia before moving to Blacksburg in 2009 to attend Virginia Tech. I hold a BA in Communication from Virginia Tech and an MDiv from Southeastern Seminary. I have been married to Emily since 2017 and we have 4 wonderful kiddos--Aidden, Lila, Audrey, and Kalayah. We love growing our garden and fruit trees, reading (and listening) to good books, and sharing good food around the table. I particularly love listening to music while working outside, nerd books, and good coffee.

In addition to pastoral ministry at the Vine, I work as the Associate Director of the Bonhoeffer Haus where I help churches start and run ministry apprenticeships. I care deeply about forming whole-hearted and Gospel-centered leaders in and for the church and am so grateful to serve in this way at the Vine!

Director of Communications and Outreach

Hi there! My name is Hayley Paljug and I serve as the Director of Communications and Outreach. I grew up in Virginia Beach and moved to Blacksburg in 2013 to pursue a degree in communications from Virginia Tech -- 10+ years later and I am so grateful to still call the NRV home!

My dear husband, Jason, and I have been married since June 2016. We live here in Blacksburg and are so thankful for the opportunity to frequently cheer on our Hokies in Cassell Coliseum at men’s and women’s basketball games! We love to travel to new and familiar places where we enjoy great food, beautiful hikes and time in nature, and live sports and music. I love to listen to and play music, cycle, and spend time with friends and family over some trivia or a board game. This fall, Jason and I are ecstatic to welcome a baby girl into our family!

I have a passion for people and friendships and love the opportunity to meet new people at The Vine and cultivate friendships!

Vine Kids Leader

Hi! I am Meghan Smiling. I serve as a part of the Vine Kids team where I primarily focus on training the volunteers and teaching on Sundays with the kiddos in the nursery or in the elementary classroom.

I graduated from West Virginia University, where I was saved in 2016. I moved to Blacksburg in 2018 and have loved growing my family here in the New River Valley. I also work as a behavior analyst serving individuals with Autism spectrum disorder in a private day school.

The Vine has been a huge part of my family with my husband, EL, being the worship pastor and my son growing friendships in the nursery/preschool classroom.

Vine Kids Leader

Vine Kids Leader