In 1975, Reverend Newton Carey Jr. was called to pastor a small, struggling church in West Oakland with just twelve members. Alongside his wife, Sallie T., and their five children, Pastor Carey worked to revitalize the church through evangelism, which became the cornerstone of their ministry, and was emulated by others. They introduced numerous evangelical programs, most notably the Annual Block Party, which began with providing free meals and clothing to attendees before sharing the Gospel through music and preaching. Their innovative approach to evangelism sparked significant growth at True Vine, catching the attention of the Southern Baptist Convention, which invited Pastor Carey and Mama Sallie to train other church leaders across the country.

Over the years, True Vine’s membership grew from six to over 1,600 under the leadership of Pastor Carey and Mama Sallie. Despite facing personal tragedies, including the loss of two sons and a church split, they remained steadfast in their ministry, demonstrating God's love through their selfless service and compassion. After decades of dedication, Pastor Carey and Mama Sallie retired, passing the church leadership to their son, Pastor Zachary E. Carey, and his wife, Dr. Donna C. Carey.