How much weight do those same three V’s – vision, values and victory – carry in your life? How much do you trust God to give you a vision and help you walk it out? What about your values? When’s the last time you compromised even a little bit on what you say you believe in? And how often do you wait for circumstances to line up before you step out in faith? These are all vital questions you need to address as you move toward becoming a fully committed disciple of Jesus.

You really do have what it takes to live victoriously, just as this ministry has done throughout our 22 years. Start by re-visiting your vision, or writing one for the very first time. By the power of the Holy Spirit, you have the mind of Christ to be stubborn about sticking to your vision, your values and your victory!

Click here to get more!

My occupation is a personal trainer, and I heard Pastor Colleen give a sermon one Sunday about taking care of our temple so that we are healthy enough to be able to spread the Word in order to expand His kingdom, It hit me in that very moment. God was talking to me! I would help change lives by teaching people how to eat healthier, rest properly, and exercise regularly, all in the safe confines of a Christian environment.

I asked around and found such a ministry already existed. I went online and found the health and wellness ministry and signed up. Within a few days I got a call from Jeff Wright and he talked to me about a new project that was being formed called the walking club and that he indeed needed trainers. In that first call, Jeff and I talked for at least an hour and a half. We were both so excited that God had put us in contact with one another that the ideas were just bouncing back and forth!

That was more than 8 months ago. Today the walking club is in its second 12-week session and the overwhelming joy I get every Saturday from meeting with the members is unmatched. Several of the members always thank us, but the truth is we are more thankful to be able to serve them. There’s nothing like knowing in your heart that you have discovered what the Lord has called you to do and be, living a purpose that brings you immeasurable joy, and being able to positively impact so many lives all for His glory. I know that this is what I was put here to do and I’m so glad that I have the opportunity to give back to the church that has done so much for me and my family.

I love Victory, and I’m honored to be a part. I feel privileged to serve its members doing what I love to do…..HIGH ENERGY STYLE!

 • • •

Tell me more about the Walking Club…

The Walking & Fitness Club is designed to help you get fit, lose weight, or just start living a healthier lifestyle. We meet up every Saturday morning at 6:45am at Best Friend Park. Our team of certified trainers, nutritionists, and wellness enthusiasts will guide you through the process of becoming healthier both physically and spiritually. All fitness levels are welcome! For additional information, please contact Courtney Johnson at cjohnson@victorywc.org.

We want to hear about what God has done in and through you at Victory. Whether long or short, complex or simple, your story is worth hearing, and there are others who need to hear it. Won’t you please consider sharing your story with us? If you’re willing to do so, please click the Share Your Story quicklink above, write your story, upload a nice photo (if you can) and click submit. It’s that simple. Now, don’t be shy. God’s given you a story for a reason! Share it today!

The power of the church is fully realized when the people within the church unite for the sole purpose of glorifying God. Victory World Church has been called to build strong families, to transform the community, to reconcile cultures, and to impact the world. We cannot successfully achieve these things, if we do not take inventory of where we are as individuals.

How can you ensure that you are partnering with the church? By following God’s calling over your life and understanding the power that is available to you when you join together with like minded individuals in understanding your purpose.

When we are willing to sacrifice our own desires, we are setting ourselves up to be used of God. It all starts with love. When we truly love others, we have a heart for service and an urgency to win souls for Christ. We desire to give of our time, resources, and possessions to help those in need.  We no longer think independently, but focus our efforts on our mission as believers purposed to reach the world with the gospel.

Listen to Pastor Dennis’ teaching on the power of the Church here.

Church is only half of God’s story for you. The other half is on the mission field right outside the church doors – where God expects you to live what you’ve learned while you were inside.  Week after week in church, so many Christians get built up on the wonders of Jesus and all His glory, but then that’s it. It stops there. The purpose of the Church is to equip you for what you need to do, which is hold Jesus up for all the world to see, not keep Him concealed or tucked away neatly within four walls.

The one question we need to ask ourselves after every message we hear in church is, “How can I take what I learned in here, out there?” As each of us increasingly acts on what we know, the Church body begins to reflect what it was always intended to be – united in thought and purpose (1 Corinthians 1:10 NIV). How are you doing on your part in this? If you’re connected to a church that feeds you well, how much do others on the outside reap the benefits of your fulfillment?

Many of us know why the Church exits. We understand that worship, ministry, evangelism, community and discipleship are basic purposes of the Church that train us to make Jesus known.  It’s great to be passionate about hearing His Word, but let’s be just as passionate about doing it. God has given us His Church to help us be successful.

Listen to Pastor Johnson’s teaching on the purpose of the Church here.

At any time if you’ve desired to get more involved in church, that’s an urge to pull away from selfishness and a longing to jump forward in your process of becoming a fully committed disciple of Jesus. God has a calling on your life; how can you operate in it if you’re just sitting in church?

God’s plan for His Church is about us, but not how we think. While most of us go to church for how it can serve us, God is focused on how it can grow us. He wants to mature you and equip you to do the work of His Ministry, and the Church is the training ground for that to happen.

When you understand God’s plan for the Church – why we go, how it works – you begin to better understand where you fit in it. There’s an incredible fulfillment that takes over your life when you lock in to a church that is alive and filled with Jesus. How and where do you start? Make yourself available to help or serve in any ministry, take classes that grow and change you, and get committed. You’ll begin to mature in very visible ways as you find yourself moving into the calling of God on your life. When you do this, you get strong and wise enough to defeat anything the enemy throws at you.

Get more on the plan of the Church here.

You could be in your lone corner of the world, on fire for God, but before long your fire will go out. You have no real power by yourself; you have power with people, and it’s the Church – not the individual – that has the power to change society.

Hebrews 10:25 reminds us, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”

If you’re on a serious path to becoming a fully committed disciple of Jesus, what’s your relationship with His Church? Do you understand it? Knowing the price paid for it causes you to see it through brand new eyes. Click here for more in-depth on this message.

If you’ve accepted Christ as Lord, then His promises apply directly to you, and He says He’ll provide for our needs like no other can or will – even in a dead situation. So what’s preventing you from living like He’s your Radical Provider?

From an economy perspective, what’s bad now will be even worse in the days to come. There are no earthly solutions. God has the spotlight on us, and He expects our mode of operation to be the exact opposite of fear, worry and survival. When you’re in Christ, you don’t have to “survive.” You live for the will of God, whether you survive or not.

We can depend on Jesus to be our Radical Provider, but can He depend on us to have radical trust, radical priorities and to live with radical stewardship? Listen here for more on how to live and respond to the way Jesus taught concerning provision from God.

The Christmas Eve service at Victory World Church was a wonderful musical treat and an uplifting experience that truly glorified the birth of our Lord. We were greeted by one of VWC’s hard-working ushers, Mark, who told us to get prepared for an incredible service.  Mark had already served at two Christmas Eve services this day and was still excited about the service that was about to start.  Senior Pastor Dennis Rouse mentioned that it takes around 1000 volunteers to conduct services on a typical Sunday and that giving all those volunteers an opportunity to enjoy Christmas day with their families is the reason VWC decided to focus on Christmas Eve services this year.

It was apparent at a glance that the stage layout was a little different than usual:  there was a grand piano on the stage, the monitors displayed falling snowflakes, and there were Christmas lights strung along the stage scaffolding.  As the service started, a man in a tuxedo strolled slowly across the stage, sat down at the piano, and proceeded to play a delightful mix of classical music, traditional Christmas carols, music from the Charlie Brown Christmas special, and even a little Chopsticks.

He was soon joined by the full Victory World Music crew, and they were in fine form.  They rocked out with some instrumental tunes before the vocalists came on stage.  The mix of music was really amazing and just perfect for Christmas Eve.  They played many classics, including “Feliz Navidad” and “O Come O Come Emmanuel.”

There were special guests throughout the service.  Worship leader Montell Jordan welcomed Beckah Shae to the stage, and she sang “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” and “Oh Holy Night.”  There was an unusual mix of cello and beatbox vocals performed by Kevin Olusola.  One of the most moving moments of the evening for the congregation was when surprise guest Caleb Graves came on stage for “Little Drummer Boy.”  Caleb is a VWC youth minister that lost his leg in a hit and run accident earlier this year.  The entire congregation came to their feet and gave thanks and praise to God for the wonderful Christmas gift of seeing Caleb playing with the band.

Pastor Dennis took to the stage only briefly this night, once for the offering prayer and again to lead us in the Lord’s Supper.  After communion, Pastor Colleen joined him and lit the first candle, reminding us that Jesus called us to be the “light of the world.”  Then one from another the candles were lit as the house lights came down and Montell and his daughter Sydney sang “Silent Night.”  Assistant Fusion Pastor David Stephens led the congregation in a closing prayer.

After the service, people lingered for a good while, wishing one another Merry Christmas and looking at the live nativity scene on the front lawn.  It was a lovely way to spend Christmas Eve and prepare our hearts for Christmas day.

When we’re God-inspired in such a way that we make it a point to add value to people, no matter how undeserving the world labels them, we become radical relators like Jesus. How could He accomplish the extraordinary by relating to people in an ordinary way? Ordinary wasn’t sufficient enough. He had to be radical in his interactions with others in order to reach them, and He let love take the lead on His mission.

Pastor Colleen’s extension of the Radical Love message highlights several examples of how we can relate to people more radically, like Jesus. Watch it here.

I recently redirected my life back to Christ when He called me to Him this past May. I was chatting with a co-worker named Richard. He started talking about Jesus and I could see how passionate he was. Suddenly I felt a rush of heat come over my entire body and I excused myself and ran to the bathroom to drink some water and splash some over my face. I didn’t realize what was happening to me. When I finally cooled off I came back to Richard and he immediately asked me what my relationship was like with Christ. I had to admit that I was lukewarm in my faith and that I never fully committed to Christ. At the age of 13 I was saved but I still didn’t fully understand what it meant to receive Christ. Richard told me that I needed a pick me up, so he suggested that I read a book called “Heaven is For Real.” I picked up the book and couldn’t put it down. God renewed my faith and gave me hope. Well I now call Richard “BUBBA” to show my appreciation to him for helping me get back to my real home…. “JESUS.”

Well, I made it back home from that deployment and started to look for a church near my house. When I searched online for a church in Norcross, Victory World Church stuck out like a sore thumb. That following Sunday I made my way to VWC and instantly felt comfort like I was right where I needed to be. There was a guest speaker named Christopher Alam and he was speaking about the four parts of Faith (Hearing it, Believing it, Speaking it and Doing it).  His message was strong and it set me on a path to put my faith to the test.

Low and behold, I still had great struggles on the inside of me, so I finally broke down and asked God to take over me because I was clueless and very tired of trying to figure out life by myself. It felt like I was running a never-ending, purposeless marathon with no rewards. I needed comfort so I traveled to my hometown of Fort Myers, FL to be with my family and friends. I stayed in my mother’s empty condo where I grew up. There was no T.V and no furniture; it was just God and me. I started going to my old church where I got saved and starting reading my bible, praying and believing that my trip back to my hometown would bring some clarity to me. Well it did. I prayed that God would lead me to a new success so that I could start helping others. It became my heart’s obsession.

I got an opportunity to learn about real estate and I jumped right into it. I prayed that God would give me bragging rights by making my first deal within my first 30 days. I had a new confidence and I just knew that it would happen. In the middle of my stay, my friend Christina called me to come and hang out with her so I did. She and her husband have been my good friends for the longest. They have two beautiful little girls and they have so much love for one another. They are the married couple that you hope to be like. I noticed something was different and that they were struggling with getting around without transportation. When I went back to the empty condo that day I prayed that God would make a way for me to help them.

Not long afterward, I got called to duty on another deployment so my peaceful stay in Florida ended. But God’s plan didn’t. I got called to North Carolina and had to be there within two days. Within a couple of weeks I get a phone call from my best friend Salina and she starts talking about our friend Christina and her husband. She admitted to me that she had it in her heart that she wanted to help them. I screamed and told her that the same thing was on my heart heavily. Well Salina said, “You know what that means right?” She continued with, “When two on earth agree upon something that my Father in Heaven shall make it come to pass.” So I said, “Let’s do this!” That same day I received a call saying that my first real estate deal came through and that I would receive my commission check in the mail that week. I screamed so loud and told God how awesome He is.

I felt like that commission check was meant for helping my friends, so I called Salina and told her the good news. I asked Salina if she would just start looking for cars since I was no longer there, and she did. I told Salina that my faith was on fire and that I believe that God will make this happen for our friends. Three weeks went by and Salina found the perfect car on the third try. Well, let’s just say that our friends are riding around in a car that’s fully paid off! God made all of it possible and all glory belongs to Him…and I found joy in giving, just like God does in giving us His love.

When Christina’s husband drove in to his job, his boss asked how he got the car and without hesitation he told him that God made it happen! His boss immediately changed his position and told him that he could use him in another department now that he had a vehicle. The new position came with a raise and the company is paying for the gas in his car since it is being used for business. Now Christina, her husband and their two daughters attend church faithfully with Salina and they are filled with joy.

God is showing up in 3’s. I am convinced that since I put my faith in the right place, The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit are showing up and showing out! I have never been this happy in my entire life.

When I finally made it back home to Norcross, GA, I decided to make the most important public announcement I’ve ever made. I came to Victory World Church on Sunday Oct 2^nd and lined up to be baptized. There were guys near the end of the line that asked me if I had already accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior and I told them yes. Then they continued to tell me that being baptized didn’t promise a miraculous change overnight and I had to stop them right there and say, God is already making miraculous changes within me and that’s why I am here. So they laughed and said that they obviously weren’t ready for me, and said “Let the girl get through!” I laughed my way into the water and declared my love, my life and renewed faith in JESUS.

Since then I have been sharing my testimony and attending Victory World Church faithfully. I am also taking the challenge to read the New Testament by the end of the year and in doing so, it keeps me on track. Every day that I read the word I am filled with so much joy. I came to Jesus because I needed rest, and now I have it in Him.

________

We want to hear about what God has done in and through you at Victory. Whether long or short, complex or simple, your story is worth hearing, and there are others who need to hear it. Won’t you please consider sharing your story with us? If you’re willing to do so, please click the Share Your Story quicklink above, write your story, upload a nice photo (if you can) and click submit. It’s that simple. Now, don’t be shy. God’s given you a story for a reason! Share it today!