PROFILE: VICTORY MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL

MINISTRY PROFILE: VICTORY MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL

Pastors Jerome and Eunice Liberty are the founders of Victory Ministries International, a global city-based ministry.

In 1978 Jerome Liberty left Port Elizabeth for Johannesburg and has always believed that his stay was a season for equipping and that he would return one day to serve the community with the Word of God. Pastor Jerome returned to Port Elizabeth in 2000 with a mandate to break the curse of poverty and to change the spiritual climate over the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro. He says, “I had in my mind a three-year period of equipping. Thirty plus years later I believe that this is the time and season for us to take our communities for God.”

Pastor Jerome functions in the office of Apostle and has a desire to see multitudes of end time financiers raised up just as God had done in his own life. He is a sought after conference speaker both nationally and internationally. His personal testimony is evidence of how he trusted in the vision which God gave him.

Pastor Eunice Liberty stands as a prophetess of the house and is a powerful intercessor. She started a prayer school at the inception of the ministry and a mighty corps of prayer warriors has since been developed. Many faith prayers have been prayed, “speaking those things that be not as though they were”. Today we see the manifestations and stand in awe of God’s faithfulness.

PLANTING OF CHURCHES

On the 11th of February 2001 the birth of Victory Ministries International took place, with the first church being established in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. In the very beginning the ministry was graced with International speakers; amongst others Bishop Clarence Mclendon, Dr Creflo Dollar, John Bevere and Zigi Oblander. Two more churches were planted in 2004 in Uitenhage and Cotswold. Grace Chapel in Schauderville, then pastored by the late Pastor Graham Liberty, was adopted by word of prophecy, bringing the network of churches to a total of four.

VICTORY IN FINANCE

Victory in Finance was intended to bring restoration to ‘real people with real needs in search of real victory.’ Victory in Finance presents a message of debt cancellation, breaking the curse and taking the church to another dimension in worship. The vision is to shepherd the flock, train a community of believers, raise-up end-time financiers, equip leaders and preach the Gospel. If people would understand and apply God’s principles pertaining to finances, then an army of believers would be raised and a whole city would be taken for Jesus.

BILLIONAIRES-IN-TRAINING PROGRAMME

This initiative came about as a move to transform the marketplace and for the children of God to take up their rightful place. Billionaires-In-Training is a ground breaking vision originated by God and given to Apostle Jerome Liberty to prepare the next generation of billionaires within the Body of Christ in South Africa - the Apostles of the Marketplace.

Billionaires-in-Training is just one of many ways of equipping and raising billionaires in the Eastern Cape and beyond its borders. The first billionaires-in-training was held in 2008 and drew a crowd of more than 1400 people. The speakers were Dr Elijah Morgan, Apostle Cedrick Taylor and Apostle Jerome Liberty.

Marketplace transformation brings a marketplace message that is intended to change mindsets and to focus on the assignment of the Marketplace Apostle. It is intended for those with a strong desire and passion to achieve more than average business and financial prosperity. People learn how to become a good steward of finances, to break generational curses of poverty over a family lineage, to take back business domains and bring it under Kingdom rule.

RESTORATION CONFERENCE

It’s been eleven years since the inception of the very first Restoration Conference in 2000. Since then thousands of lives have been changed. In pastor Jerome’s own words: “I believe that through Restoration we will raise up gates of righteousness and touch this generation through a powerful presentation.” Since 2000 gifted local and international speakers such as Dr Creflo Dollar, Pastor Michael Pitts, Bishop Harry Jackson, Bishop Walter Henderson, Dr Mensa Otabil, Dr Pat Francis, Amanda Buys, John Bevere, Bishop Tudor Bismark, Pastor Tommy Tenney, Dr Allan Bag and Prophet Ed Traut have graced the podium at Restoration Conferences.

COMMUNITY PROJECTS

“Has anyone ever heard of such a thing? Has anyone seen anything like this? A country born in a day? A nation born in a flash? But Zion was barely in labor when she had her babies!” Isaiah 66:8 MSG

Ministry finds its meaning within the communities. Victory Ministries becomes a relevant and practical demonstration of the gospel through its various programs that are aimed at uplifting and empowering the communities. In 2001, when many families were left homeless by shack fires, the ministry was there to be a hand, supplying food and blankets; but mostly preaching the gospel and many gave their lives to Christ. The local communities were also invaded through outreaches and crusades. Thousands came to repentance at these outreaches. People were added daily to the church.

Inspired by his passion to take the city for Jesus, Pastor Jerome embarked on “using every available means to reach every available person at every available time” by making the Word accessible to unbelievers and needy people. The Bible distribution Initiative channeled thousands of Bibles to old age homes, frail care centres, hospitals, taverns, Aids havens and to prisons, even as far as Middledrift and the Free State. The first Bible was handed to the then mayor, Honourable Nondumiso Maphazi. Pastor Jerome has also had the privilege of handing J.C. Maxwell leadership bibles to the then Premier of the Eastern Cape, Mrs Nosimo Balindlela, the then Minister of Finance, Mr Trevor Manuel and the President of South Africa, Gedleyihlekisa Jacob Zuma.

This year on Mandela Day, 67 minutes were dedicated to four schools in the township - more than 2000 children were served soup and bread. Shirts and shoes were donated to four schools. The ministry also embarked on a program of touching one school a month; ministering to educators; sharing leadership skills and encouraging them in their important task of influencing children.

HOME CELLS

Home cells are the heartbeat of the ministry. Time and money has been invested in training home cell leaders. The ultimate aim is to have a home cell in every street in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro. There is a total of 138 home cells across the metro area which include Centenary, Cotswold, Grace Chapel, and Uitenhage. Theses home cells are co-ordinated by more than 12 married couples. Our goal for 2012 is to have increased our home cells to a total of 293.

MOBILE CLINIC

The mobile clinic which is managed with the assistance of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, is another initiative that demonstrates Matthew 25: 35-36 “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” The mobile clinic brings much needed relief to poor communities who are not in a position to gain access to healthcare or a clinic.

There are 3 staff members attending to patients. They see 700 patients per month from the truck. The first patients seen were in the Joe Slovo area (160 patients per day). The mobile truck has been running for ten years and is regularly being used during campaigns such as Restoration, Helenvale invasion, big church events, and municipality events.

The truck provides medication in areas where clinics are not easily reachable. Areas serviced by the truck are Joe Slovo, Kwadwesi extension, Red location, Kwanoxolo, Kleinskool, Booysen Park, Phola Park and Greenfields. Treatments include immunisations, family planning, and general health including TB treatment. HIV Aids campaign twice per month.

RESTORATION LEARNING ACADEMY

In 2002 the Restoration Learning Academy launched a program for those who never had a chance to complete grade 12. Many people have gone through these classes and have advanced on to further their studies at college and university.

A further initiative of the ministry, EXCEL, is a program that assists learners who are in grade 12 and are preparing for end of the year exams. There are a total of 6 teachers. Classes start from 4:30PM until 7:30PM on week days. The Adult Learning School provides NATED 550 (old curriculum). Subjects include English, Afrikaans, Mathematics, Physical Science, Accounting, Business Economics, Economics, Biblical Studies, History, and Geography. There was no assistance for learners who failed subjects in the new NCS curriculum. As of 2011 we provide classes for them as well. Learners are allowed to take a maximum of 3 subjects per year. With the new curriculum we offer Mathematics, Mathematical literacy, Business studies, Accounting and Life Science.

On 13 November 2011, more than 300 teachers from schools in the Northern Areas will be acknowledged for their contribution towards education at a church service.

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH

The Helenvale Peace Initiative is a collaborative effort between the South African Police Services (SAPS) and Victory Ministries International (VMI). Other stakeholders are businesses, school principals, taxi operators and community leaders. Pastor Jerome says, “Having grown up and attending school in Gelvandale and Helenvale, I always believed that Helenvale was an uncut diamond, waiting to be discovered by the nations of the world.”

A five-year-plan was launched during which period several initiatives will be undertaken to give the community a “facelift”. It entails unearthing the spiritual strongman and every root of ungodliness prevalent in the area. The Helenvale community brings a positive message that says: “NO” to vandalism, drugs, rape, crime, gangsterism, theft, and pornography.” What is about to transpire in Helenvale will be a milestone that will plot a chapter in history; of a once hopeless community that has been restored in dignity, self-worth and in heritage.

Numerous outreach events including a talent competition was held at various schools. It is safe to say that the face of Helenvale was finally discovered through the hopes, dreams and God-given talent of so many children and the youth.

Since the Helenvale campaign the ministry kept it pulse on a number of schools via a dedicated youth team that resulted in a relationship being forged with TADA (Teenagers Against Drugs). Many learners are being assisted with rehabilitation through referrals to TADA. From the interaction with the schools many learners have been assisted in acquiring skills, amongst others beadwork and computer skills.

THE TENT

The first destruction of the tent happened on a Saturday, July 2002. The tent had just been cleaned in preparation for a mighty healing crusade by Pastor Charles Ndifon. Reparations to the tent were done speedily as there was not much time left before the actual crusade.

The second and total destruction happened two days before the crusade. It was perfect weather until a gale force wind wreaked havoc. Congregants were gathered in a container serving as a classroom, praying, whilst the wind blew with phenomenal force. The big billboard next to Stanford Road was blown into the street. It was as if the tent was meticulously split from top to bottom. Metal poles were bent as if it were straw. Chairs were blown into the road and electrical pipes and cables were crushed and damaged by falling poles.

In the midst of all the rubble and destruction, the Apostle's voice arose in triumph, singing: “Our God reigns. . .” Everybody put their hand to the plough - working until late that night - salvaging what they could. Since then services are being held at the Nangoza Jebe Hall in New Brighton.

NEW WORSHIP AUDITORIUM

A new Worship Auditorium has been built on the site where the tent was. The auditorium is about 80% complete with a capacity to seat 2850 people. The cost of building runs up to R25 million and completion is expected in early 2012.

On 30 October 2011, a celebration service was held at the site of the new Worship Auditorium. Proverbs 24:16 says “for though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again...” The construction of the new Worship Auditorium can be seen in the same light.