Church History
Who Is Victory Missionary Baptist Church?
In 1966 a few Christians were inspired to use the acquired property at 142 Sumpter Street in the Bedford Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn, New York to organize the church to be known as the Victory Missionary Baptist Church. The founding members were:
- Brother Eddie Johnson
- Brother Frank Missouri
- Brother Roger Cobbs.
In keeping with Baptist protocol, the church first began as a mission with eighteen members some of who were:
- Brother Willie Fountleroy
- Sister Margaret Hudson
- Sister Pecola Fitts
- Sister Mary Thomas Johnson
On June 04, 1968 the mission became a church and given the name the Victory Missionary Baptist Church, under the leadership of its first pastor Reverend Peppers who gave faithful service to the people of God for eleven months.
On December 06, 1970 the church called its second pastor, the Reverend Nathan Roger Turner, formerly of the Cornerstone Baptist Church of Brooklyn. Upon the leadership of pastor Turner, the church experienced rapid growth in membership from twenty (20) to one-hundred fifty (150); additions of ministries to include Christian education, Baptist Training Union, Youth for Christ, Missionary Society, Vacation bible school, Nurses Unit, Floral Club, Willing Workers, and All States Club; and obtained the churches tax exempt status.
Upon the vision of pastor Turner, in July 1976, the church purchased the property and building at 244-46 Howard Ave, Brooklyn to occupy as its new house of worship. Partial renovations of the new facility came about through monetary support and volunteer labor of the church membership, which resulted in their occupancy since October 15, 1989 to the year 2016.
After twenty-four (24) years of faithful service as pastor of this church, the Reverend Nathan Rogers Turner was called from labor to reward and died on September 8, 1994.
On October 04, 1994 the church was incorporated as a religious organization in the county of Kings New York, and officially named the Victory Missionary Baptist Church.
To continue the ministry leadership of the church, on
February 18, 1996 the Reverend Guy DuPont formerly of the Mt. Ollie Baptist Church, Brooklyn, New York, was installed as the third pastor of the church. Within six months of faithful leadership, an increased focus was targeted to the youth ministry to insure their spiritual wellbeing through prayer.
The Church Began To Experience A Restructuring Of Ministries And Rebranding
of its mission and purpose in becoming an encouraging ministry where love is unconditional and making “Winners” is our goal. The church began to target persons based on solidarity of conditions which include spiritual and emotional weakness, weariness, and wounds and providing an atmosphere and assistance through help, hope, and healing from its services. As a result, the church has experienced increase in recruitment and regeneration of membership which has gone from solely African American to Multi-Cultural.
The church continues to promote community activities such as block parties for youth recreation, vacation bible schools that operate similar to summer camps, and social gatherings specifically for the youth on Halloween, to offer safety and fun activities. The facilities are offered to the community for use of receptions, weddings, funerals, and other activities requiring increase space.
VMBC has affiliations with the Eastern Baptist Association, the Empire State Missionary Convention, and the National Baptist Convention. Additionally, the church was actively networking with the 81st police precinct on community concerns, and political persons such as Assembly woman Latrice Walker, district 55.
On March 29, 2018, under the leadership of Pastor Gatling, the Lord relocated our ministry from 244-46 Howard Ave to 474 Rockaway Ave, Brooklyn, NY. As a result, the church has begun to network with the Community Board 16 to advertise and promote community affairs and events.