About Us

 This Statement of Faith does not exhaust the extent of our faith. The Bible itself is the sole and final source of all that we believe. We do believe, however, that the foregoing Statement of Faith accurately represents the teaching of the Bible, and therefore, is binding upon all members. The following tenets of faith reveal the heart of Victory Christian Center.

1. We believe in the entire Bible and that it is the inspired and infallible Word of God and is therefore without error and is eternally reliable in all matters of Christian faith and practice. The scriptures shall not be added to, superseded, or changed by later tradition or revelation. Every doctrinal formation, whether of creed, confession, or theology, must be put to the test of the full counsel of God as revealed in scriptures, consisting of sixty-six books, from Genesis to Malachi in the Old Testament, and from Matthew to Revelation in the New Testament. The New Testament does not do away with the Old Testament or covenant, but fulfills it through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. All scriptures are to be interpreted in their context and purpose. (Acts 18:28; 2Tim 3:16-17; Heb 4:12; 2Peter 1:9-21; Rev 22:18-20)
2. We believe in the Trinity of God manifested in three Persons: the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit, one God and creator of all things, seen and unseen. (Mat 3:13-17; 10:32; 17:1-8; 28:19; Lk 22:42; 1Jn. 5:7-8)
3.  We believe God (the Word) became incarnate (embodied in flesh) as Jesus Christ, was begotten of a virgin and is true man and true God. Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of the Father and is God Incarnate, being the fullness of the godhead bodily, and Savior of the world. (Mat 1:18, 23-25; Jn 1:1, 14; Rev. 19:13)
4.  We believe in the personal salvation of believers by grace through faith in the blood of Jesus Christ (his death) as the perfect atoning sacrifice for the sins of the whole world. The faith required to receive this salvation comes by hearing and understanding the gospel message, which is the Word of God. If any person upon  receipt of this faith will confess with his mouth that Jesus is Lord and will believe with his heart that God raised Jesus from the dead (and He is alive forevermore), he will be saved. This is the new birth (being born again), which is required to enter the kingdom  of God. (Jn 3:3-5; Rom. 10:9-10, 13; 2Cor 5:17; Eph 2:8-9; 1Jn 2:2)
5.  We believe the new birth (being born again) is the beginning of life in the spirit realm. The new birth is not the end, but the beginning of a life long process of being changed into the image and likeness of Jesus Christ. This process is instantaneous for the human spirit as the Holy Spirit imparts His nature at the moment of new birth. The human soul (mind, will, and emotions) is cleansed and transformed in a life long process by the Word of God as we yield ourselves to the Holy Spirit. The more time we spend studying the Bible and in prayer, the more we become like Him. The human body, while receiving salvation from all sickness and disease (1Pet 2:24) at the new birth, will receive total salvation and immortality at the resurrection. (Rom 12:2; 1Cor 15:51-54; 2Cor 3:18; Eph 2:1-7; 2Pet 1:4)
6.  We believe in the resurrection from the dead and in an eternal heaven for the saved and in a literal eternal hell for all who reject God’s plan of salvation. There is a heaven as the reward of the believer beyond death, including a bodily resurrection from the dead. Likewise, there is a hell as a punishment for the unbeliever beyond death, including a bodily resurrection unto everlasting torment and separation from God. There is a judgment day beyond this life when God will sit in judgment on all people, separating the righteous and the unrighteous forever. (Mat 7:23; 25:46; 1Thes 4:13-18; Rev 20:11-15)
7.  We believe that we (the body of Christ) are not saved by good works, but are saved and created in the image of Jesus Christ to do good works; the fruit of righteousness and obedience. The Father’s love and character is being revealed to the world through these good works. Faith alone without works of obedience is dead. Every believer must appear before the judgment seat of Christ to give an   account of his life. His works will be part of building the true church, will pass the test, and will receive a reward in Heaven. All believers are commanded to go and bring forth good fruit that remains (make disciples for Jesus Christ). (Mat 16:18; 28:19-20; Jn 15:8; 1Cor 3:12-14; 2Cor 5:10; Eph 2:8-10; Titus 3:3-7; Jms 2:14-17) 
8. We believe in miracles and divine healing through faith in God’s infallible Word. The Holy Spirit operates in all believers in the power of the manifestations and gifts of the Spirit, operating them as He wills for Christian service and ministry for the winning of souls, healing of the sick, revelation knowledge, and the working of signs and wonders and miracles as a witness to this generation. (Mk 11:22-24; 16:15-18; Lk 10:19-20; Jn 14:12-14)
9.  We believe in the renewing of the mind and complete transformation of individual believers’ lives and freedom from all bondages and idolatries of men and Satan. (Jn 8:31-32, 36; Rom 12:1-2; 2Cor 3:18; Eph 4:22-34)
10. We believe in the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. The Baptism in the Holy Spirit and Fire is a gift from God as promised be the Lord Jesus Christ to those who are believers in this dispensation and is received subsequent to the new birth. The initial evidence of speaking in tongues accompanies this experience as the Holy Spirit Himself gives utterance. (Mat 3:11; Jn 14:16-17; Acts 1:8; 2:4, 38-39; 19:1-7)
11. We believe in the gifts (manifestations) of the Holy Spirit and that they are active now, and that all believers have ministries to perform for and in Christ’s body. (1Cor 12:1-28; Eph 4:8-16)
12. We believe that a life lived for Christ must be one that is holy and set apart from the world. We believe it is the local church’s responsibility to administer to all members the teaching of biblical holiness and purity. The Holy Spirit operates as the unlimited and invisible presence of Jesus Christ on earth as comforter and advocate; indwelling every born again believer and making the believer’s body His temple. (2Cor 6:17-18; 7:1; Eph 4:24; 1Thes 3:13; Heb 12:14; 1Pet 1:16)
13. We believe that God has planned for a man and a woman to become one in marriage. The marriage covenant is ordained of God. Gen. 2:24, “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife (woman) and they will become one flesh.” We believe any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, fornication, adultery and pornography are sinful perversions of God’s gift of sex. (Gen 2:24; 19:5-7; 26:8-9; Lev 18:1-30; Rom 1:26-29; 1Cor 5:1; 6:9; 1Thes 4:1-8; Heb 13:4)
14. We believe that human life begins at conception and that the unborn child is a living human being. Abortion constitutes the unjustified, unexcused taking of unborn human life. Abortion is murder. (Ps 51:5; 139:14-16; Isa 44:24; 49:1, 5; Jer 1:5; 20:15-18; Lk 1:44)
15. We believe in the resurrection of the just and the return of our Lord. The angels said, “This same Jesus shall so come in like manner.” His coming is imminent. When He comes, “The dead in Christ shall rise first; then we, who are alive and remain, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air.” (Acts 1:11; 1Thes 4:16-17)
16.  We believe in water baptism by immersion as a command of Jesus Christ to all that believes in Him as Lord and Savior. The believer is to recognize that as he is buried with Christ in His death, that he also should walk in newness of life. (Mat 28:19; Acts 8:36-39; Rom 6:4; Col 2:11-13)
17. We believe in making every effort possible to develop unity in the body of Christ. (Jn17:20-23; Rom 12:5; Eph 4:11-13; Phil 2:19-22)
18. We believe in intensive world evangelization and missionary work in accordance with the Great Commission with signs following. The Great Commission was given by Christ and is binding on every believer to “go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature,” making disciples (true followers) of all nations, teaching them to obey every commandment of Jesus Christ. (Mat 28:18-20; Mk 16:15-18)
19. The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof. Everything, which appears and has substance in the universe, comes from things invisible, creating a merging of the natural and the supernatural. God is God of heaven and earth and made all things for our good. When put in there divinely created order, the natural and the supernatural are to work together for the meeting of man’s needs spiritually, mentally, physically, and financially, both in the home and in the church for the evangelization of the world for Jesus Christ. (Gen 1:31; Ps. 24:1; Rom 8:28; Jms 1:17)
20. We believe that differences between those in the body of Christ must be resolved within the church, not in the court of law. Lawsuits between believers are a violation of the scriptural command to love one another and to promote unity in the body (1Cor 6:1-8; Lk 6:27-31, 35; Jn 13:34-35; Mat 18:15-18).
21. We believe that Satan was created as an angel, rebelled against God, was cast out of heaven, and now seeks to destroy the works of God (Ez 28:12-19, Jn 10:10).
22. We believe that there is nothing good in man outside of God. Man is born into a state of sin and there is nothing good in the flesh (Ps 51:5; Jn 6:63; 18:19; Rom 6:3-11).

     Victory Christian Center was born in the heart of Mrs. Betty Frederick.  After the death of her husband in 1975, while visiting Mt. Vernon, she felt that the Lord wanted her to start a work ministering to people spirit, soul and body and to build unity in the body of Christ.  She began having fellowship meetings at 1719 Broadway and named the ministry The House of Refuge.  

     Those early meetings were mainly oriented toward worshipping God, getting people reconciled to God, and to teaching them how to live a victorious, Christian life.  Whatever the need was, those at The House of Refuge would apply the Word of God the best they knew how, to set people free.  Early on, there was extensive fellowship with other churches and ministries.  At that time the direction was set towards The House being a place of camaraderie.  In the following years, responsibility and leadership changed, but the vision remained essentially the same.

     Somewhere along the way people started believing for The House of Refuge to become a church.  They wanted a church that believed miracles are for today and would minister to all.  Early in 1983 a major emphasis was placed on starting a church that would minister to all walks of life.  Later that same year, the Lord spoke to a pastor in Salem, Illinois to come and oversee the work.  He and his family moved to The House of Refuge in November 1983.

     The church began with one building and a small cottage.  Throughout the years the original building has been remodeled to accommodate more people.   

     In order to properly cover all the outreach ministries contained in the Statement of Purpose, The House of Refuge was re-chartered in November 1988.  The name was changed to Victory Christian Center.  The vision and outreach is the same today:  to minister to people in all walks of life and to build unity in the body of Christ.  Emphasis is placed on worshiping God, soul winning, discipling, and building unity in the body of Christ.

     The very foundation for this work has been laid, kept stable, and will remain steadfast through the prayers of those who have given themselves to the Lord and this ministry.