Welcome to the Victory Blog

Earlier this year, through iCare, we gave $10,000 to the ministry of Rev. Ebenezer (Ebi) A. George, Senior Pastor of Full Gospel Church in India. This money was given to purchase motorcycles for local ministers who must travel great distances to minister in the various locations under their care. Eleven motorcycles have now been purchased and are in use. In response, Pastor Ebi produced a PowerPoint presentation expressing his tremendous gratitude and that of the ministers and other believers who have been blessed by your generosity.  You may download, unzip and view the presentation by clicking here.

In addition, he also produced this video:

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Thank you, Victory!!!

“Behold, children are a gift of the Lord. The fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth. How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them.” – Psalm 127: 3-5

Pastor Dennis marked the beginning of this new journey for these small creatures by praying over them. He prayed that a blessing would be released to them, that they would learn to live right and walk with God and that they would be safe, protected all of the days of their lives. Afterward, in an intimate setting with friends and family, Pastor Randall also prayed a blessing over each child.

Lights, camera, and action. The camera rolled and flashed throughout-these precious children were the stars of the day. How beautiful they looked as they interacted with their families! There were no dull moments at all. The room was filled with joy and their personalities flowed as they interacted with their families and Pastor Randall. Take young Mr. Bostic, for example, he nearly took the microphone from Pastor Randall’s hands while he was being prayed for. He’s not too shy to be in the spotlight.

How beautiful it is to bring a child before the Lord and give them back to Him as an act of surrender! The dedication of the babies was both an act of surrender and one of commitment from their parents to train up their children in the ways of the Lord (Proverbs 22:6). The Lord in His infinite grace and ability keeps the children and sustains them.

Pastor Randall charged the joyful parents to shape, aim, launch and propel their child into their destiny in Christ; to direct them in the purposes He has for them; to give them a foundation of God’s word and steward them before the Lord. God’s word likens a child to an arrow. Arrows are to be aimed purposefully and guided by the warrior who holds the arrow before they are shot. A warrior aims the arrow at a specific target before shooting.

In Jesus’ word, we are not to hinder the little children from coming to the Lord (Matthew 19:14). He likens the greatest person in the kingdom of God to a little child. How pleased our Lord is when a child is presented before Him!

To the seven families who dedicated their children, congratulations on the start of this incredible journey. May the Lord’s grace and peace abide bountifully and rest upon your child for the rest of their lives! May God grant you the grace to purposefully aim, direct, teach, and launch your children into the purposes of God for their lives. Amen.

This last weekend, I continued talking about having a vision for our financial lives. (If you missed that message, I encourage you to listen to or watch it here.) You see, our lives are a byproduct of the vision we have for them. This is as true for our finances as for any other part of our lives. If we don’t have a vision for our financial life, we will end up where a lot of people and our nation are today – in debt, in bankruptcy, in trouble.

God, however, wants us to get His vision for our finances so that we can be free of the world’s economy. God wants us to have an abundant life – one of blessing and peace. If we also want that, we need to understand how God thinks about money.

Now, listen, God doesn’t want our money. He doesn’t need it. What He cares about and wants is our hearts. However, He knows that our hearts follow our money, and that the way we view and use money has a direct correlation to where our hearts lie, whether with Him or with the world. Consequently, He urges us to give in ways that increase His kingdom and draw our hearts closer to Him.

Obviously, we aren’t taught this in the world. Rather, we’re taught to make more money to buy more stuff, to get rich and so on. Yet, Jesus is saying there’s a shift that we need to make under the new covenant. He has a different purpose for money.

The heart of God’s economy is not establishing our kingdoms in the earth, but in establishing His kingdom in the earth. He wants us to do things with our money that make a difference in people’s lives, things that have eternal value. Let me put that another way: God’s top priority for money is maximizing its use to establish His kingdom on the earth.

So, let me ask you, how connected do you think your goals for life are to God’s? How many of us ask at the beginning of each year, “What do we want to do with the money God has given us this year that will make a difference?” Or, better yet, “What does God want us to do with the money?” Ask yourself whether you’re going to spend the majority of your life:

1. Paying debts – living for the past?
2. Spending money – living for the present?
3. Saving/investing money – living for the future?
4. Giving money – living for eternity?

If we’re honest, way too many of us have been living in levels one and two. However, God’s desire is that we would spend the majority of our lives living for eternity by developing a lifestyle of giving. God intendeds for us to be rivers, not reservoirs.

God wants us to live abundant lives, but to have that, we have to surrender our wills and our minds to Him and be transformed. When we begin to seek His kingdom first, our vision begins to shift away from ourselves to making a difference in the lives of others. And, as we put our trust in God and put him first, He will work things out favorably for us. He will bless us, even in the midst of an economic downturn. So, do you have the vision now?

Recently, we kicked off a new year of our iCare giving campaign. In an inspiring video announcement that noted heartwarming progress, we saw Victory being Jesus’ hands, extending our reach locally and globally, building the God’s kingdom both spiritually and practically in Sierra Leone and Ethiopia, as well as in our immediate community. The presentation highlighted:

• A 21,000 square foot medical clinic and school that will touch more than 12,000 men, women, and children
• Ministry to more than 1,000 seriously malnourished babies
• 40% reduction in death rates in the communities served by 15 wells
• 55 young girls being housed and educated in a beautiful facility
• 16 of 34 beautifully furnished transitional apartments for homeless women

View the video here:

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Victory, you are making a huge difference in this world!

And, here’s a breakdown of what we’ve already given this year:

• $30,000 towards the Salvation Army, UNITE!, and 20 Transitional Housing Units being sponsored in partnership with other Gwinnett churches
• $20,000 for eight additional Transitional Housing Units in partnership with Open Arms/ Mary Hall Freedom House
• $20,000 to provide hospital medical equipment for Larry Derstine’s ministry, Supreme Task International
• $25,000 and hundreds of bags of food to the Norcross Co-op
• $10,000 to E.B. George in India to purchase scooters for evangelists
• 1,364 books and other educational items for the Peachford Health Center.

We cannot say thank you enough for you generosity in giving. You are truly making a difference in our community and around the globe. Thank you for caring.

And, thank you for your ongoing support in our efforts to:

• Provide more apartments for homeless women in Gwinnett County
• Fight Human Trafficking and Child Sexual Exploitation
• Dig wells in countries without access to clean water
• And so much more!

With over 2,000 people in V•Groups, Victory continues to help members make connections and to live a Christ-led life. In lieu of a church-wide Bible study, small numbers of people gather in V•Groups at various homes throughout the Metro Atlanta area to build relationships – not only with Christ, but also with each other. For it is within the fabric of our very lives that we experience God. Sharing with others and hearing their experiences creates a world of support and wisdom for our own walk with Christ.

On Sunday, March 15, the first V•Group mixer of the year attracted those interested in finding a group in which to settle. Each district was represented by district coaches or leaders within the district, and all warmly invited seekers into detailed conversation and one-on-one dialog about V•Groups.

During this casual time of fellowship, food and connection, new members were queried about their location preferences, what type settings they had interest in (family, adults only, mixed, men or ladies groups), etc. At the conclusion of the questions and comments, a list of possibilities was provided with the coach providing explanations, suggestions and welcoming questions. The leaders answered questions and made everyone feel like an honored guest.

Coaches Fredrick and Laurie Stanfield of Lawrenceville enjoy welcoming people into their home and sharing God’s word. When asked what a V•Group has to offer, in short, Fredrick said V•Groups ensure that people are cared for. In addition to obeying God’s word by studying to show ourselves approved, as V•Group participators, we can improve our relationship with God, learn answers to deep questions about God’s word, and gain a special family within our large family of believers. One can be accountable as well as help others be accountable to truly living for Christ.

V•Group Pastor Rich Mace said the mixers have been very effective in bringing people together and making connections. He’s excited about their new plan to feature testimonial stories about those through whom God has worked wonders from their V•Group participation. His wife and Co-pastor, Jennipher Mace, desires to plug new members into a V•Group as soon as they come through the membership process. To that end, she said Victory is considering doing things a bit differently to increase V•Group participation and that members should look for future advertisements about V•Groups activities.

Today, I want to write about something that seems to be on everyone’s mind these days, and something I addressed in my message this past weekend…our finances. (If you missed it, you can listen to or watch that message here.) We need a revelation from God about our finances, especially as we walk through this difficult time. So, let me say this first off: God always takes care of His people; He never forsakes us. However, it is up to us as to whether we will walk according to His vision for our finances, and so experience His peace and provision; or according to the world’s vision, and so experience the heartache and destruction that is so prevalent in the news.

Money is the number one competitor against God for our hearts. It affects everything in our lives – our education, our parenting, our marriage, etc. When we don’t understand it, we abuse it. We need to understand that the true purpose for the money God has given us is not just for us to have stuff, but for us to experience the joy of using it to accomplish His purposes.

In the earth, there are two economies that operate side by side: the world’s economy, which is ruled by Satan; and God’s economy, which is, of course, ruled by God. The world’s economy operates with one key principle: “The rich rule over the poor and the borrower is servant to the lender.” (Proverbs 22:7 NKJ) When we continue to use debt, we put ourselves into slavery to the credit companies, the government and, ultimately, to Satan. God doesn’t want us to be enslaved to anyone. He wants to deliver us out of debt. Let there be no question: His will for us is to be debt-free.

So, we need to make a shift in the way we think about money and the economic system we’ve grown up in and gotten used to. Our answer does not lie there, nor with either side of the current public debate about the “right” way to solve our economic woes. (Honestly, in this case as with many others, both sides are wrong.) Our help doesn’t come from the world’s economy, but from God. It’s His side we need to get on! How? By seeking Him first. That’s the master key to God’s economy. We have to stop worrying. Our God provides for us, there’s plenty. We only have to stay hooked up to Him. Worrying doesn’t change anything.

When we seek God first, everything we need will be given to us. (Matthew 6:33)

When we’re seeking God first, we don’t take out loans, we don’t go into debt, we don’t buy things we don’t have money for. Those things only lead to enslavement. Do you want to be enslaved to lenders, the government or the whims of this world’s economy? Of course not! Neither do I, and neither does God want that for us. No, God wants you and me to experience the peace and joy of trusting Him completely and the freedom to use the money He has given us to accomplish His purposes, to see lives changed and this world transformed through our Spirit-led generosity. Doesn’t that sound a lot more exciting than what’s been on the news the last several months?! Yes, it does! That’s why you need to get God’s Vision for Your Financial Life.

This past weekend, as we continued our series on getting a 20/20 vision for life, I invited my wonderful wife Colleen to speak about a topic that she is very passionate about – our health. God has given her a keen desire to pursue not only her own health, but also to impart His wisdom in this area to others as well. Our bodies are very much a part of who we are, and if we want to live a 20/20 LIFE, we need to get God’s Vision for Our Health. Here’s some of what she had to say:

Most of us have gone from darkness to light spiritually, but I want us to go from darkness to light physically as well. That requires having a vision for our health. Those who lack this, usually experience a sense of discomfort, guilt or discouragement when the subject is broached. If that’s the case for us, it means we’ve bought into guilt and condemnation. That’s not God’s way. He wants us to experience conviction that will lead to true change.

God wants us to have healthy bodies, and when we get His vision for our health, it restores our hope, incentive and courage to break free from the desires of the carnal appetite. It enables us to discern and choose between those things that sustain and enrich us over those that satisfy but destroy us. In addition, it also establishes us as good role models to those we have been given charge over. Having a vision for our health will motivate us to increase in biblical knowledge and wisdom concerning health, which will then be reflected in our daily choices – choices that will honor, glorify and please Him.

On the other hand, when we lack a vision for our health, we don’t exercise restraint. In fact, we tend to view constraints as nothing more than limitations to our freedom and happiness. We become a poor influence to the generations below us and, ultimately, fall short of God’s best as both the quality and length of our lives are shortened unnecessarily – something that must sadden our loving Father.

For many of us, it’s time for a change. That means we need to recognize and admit our need for change. Then we must institute a plan to change. And then, for change to truly take place, we must be committed to the plan. If we want to walk in God’s healing, we first need to get His vision for our health.

This was a good message, and very timely for many of us. Doesn’t it make sense to have a vision for your health? If this has touched a chord in your heart, let me encourage you to listen to or watch the full recording of this message, and then, visit our bookstore to pick up some of the many resources for healthy living Pastor Colleen has made available to us there. Don’t miss out on the blessings of a healthy life. Diligently pursue God’s Vision for Your Health!

My Vision for Health

• I will live to reflect my gratitude for His goodness, His greatness and His power.
• I will consider the price that He paid to purchase me.
• I will remind myself of the truth that I am not my own but I am His temple.
• I will be accountable to Him, presenting myself daily to Him as a living sacrifice.
• I will choose first the living foods that He designed me to benefit from and avoid those altered by man.
• I will discipline my body to enable me to finish this race and glorify Him.

Because of your generosity in giving to the iCare campaign, we recently gave a donation in the amount of $25,ooo to the Norcross Co-op, one of our close partners in local ministry. They were truly grateful. Executive Director Shirley Cabe expressed that gratitude in the following letter, which is addressed to you:

Dear Pastors, leaders and members of Victory World Church:

On behalf of the Norcross Cooperative Ministry Board of Directors, staff, volunteers and clients, thank you so much for your recent donation of $25,000 from the iCare offering. This awesome blessing will help many families in our community who are struggling to make ends meet.

Over the last few months, we have experienced a 30% increase in the number of our client visits. Gwinnett County has just released eviction/foreclosure numbers for 2008 = 37,983 families. Currently we are serving over 1,100 families per month. Many of these families have never come to us for help before. Your donation will be used to help these families with basic needs: food, help with utility bill payments, rental assistance and temporary lodging for our homeless families with children.

Thank you again for your donation and your continued support of the outreach and ministries of Norcross Cooperative Ministry. Please continue to pray for our clients, this community and the staff and volunteers of Norcross Co-op. Working together we can transform this community, one family at a time.

In Christ,

Shirley Cabe

Whether we’re parents or not, we all have role to play in their lives and development, helping them fulfill God’s purpose for their lives. In fact, this is the number one thing we do in ministry. Children today, more than ever before, need the positive and godly influence of the adults in their lives. Unfortunately, there seems to be a real disconnect between children and parents today. The majority of people who have children today don’t have a clue how to raise them, continuing the cycle of passing on from generation to generation those flaws and curses that they received from their parents.

While none of us wants our children to fail, many of us don’t have a vision for our children’s lives. And, honestly, it’s not surprising. Think about your life as you were growing up. Did your parents talk with you about your purpose, your future or having a vision for your life. Most of us would have to say, “No.”

And today, not much has changed. The average twenty year old is still trying to figure out who they are and where they’re going. Why? Because they didn’t have parents who proactively shaped and influenced them toward their purpose. We, however, have a chance to change that for the children in our sphere of influence. By following God’s plan, our children (biological or otherwise) can be people who grow up to do amazing things in this world.

Now this is not a small task. Children have to be aimed. If we don’t aim them in the right direction, they can be dangerous; someone’s going to get hurt. When we have kids, we become warriors. We have to fight for them. It is tough and challenging. It requires everything we’ve got to succeed. We can’t just sit back and passively raise our kids. That only leads to shame and destruction.

God has created every child with an assignment, a specific purpose in this world. But, that assignment is up for battle; it’s not necessarily going to happen unless we as parents help them. Our kids won’t just fulfill it on their own. We need to understand this fact from the very beginning: Our assignment is to help them find theirs, get them into it early, and help keep them on their way. We do this by:

• Establishing healthy boundaries through loving discipline.
• Maintaining a healthy relationship with them, and ensuring that their other relationships are healthy.
• Living as healthy role models through the life we live before our children.

Now, there’s a lot more to each one of these points, but rather than break them down here, I want to encourage you to listen to or watch the message I gave last weekend during our services where I went into a lot more detail.

God has given us a real vision for children, and for instilling that vision in others. I invite you to take part in this adventure, to live a 20/20 LIFE and get the Vision for Children.