Our Devoted Church Staff

Church History

History is not something that is arranged for the providential pleasures of a select group of humanity's elite. History is a chronicle of factual truths that have been brought to reality through time. History has its pleasures, but it also records its pains. The Victory Missionary Baptist Church has been privileged by the Almighty to be included in history. As you read this brief historical account, please be advised that our only intent is to  reveal the origin and development of Victory. There is no attempt to discredit anyone. Now, let us share our story. 

The believers in Jesus Christ have eternal security, thus every occasion of life works in accordance.  The year of 1992 opened a new experience forsome of the Christian believers living in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Holy Spirit directed the path of E. L. Thomas to accpt th call of from Antioch Missionary Baptist Church to be their pastor after the passing of Dr. Louis S. Beauchamp.  Pastor Thomas' path of positive productivity had an immediate effect upon the congregation spriritually, numerically and financially. Excitement filled the soul of the pastor within the first two months as members and leaders were engaged in the spiritual success. The first workshop under his leadership was held the fourth Saturday in February 1992. Snow was everywhere, yet the leaders and members showed up in large numbers to hear the vision and learn of their particular roles. However, all was not well. While the outward impressions led to many to believe this was a spiritual marriage of clergy and congregation that could only move to greater works and higher heights, there were internal agendas that would prevent any long term relationship. 

As early as March of 1992, there was evidence that the path of the pastor and a few self proclaimed officials would meet in a most horrific way. There was cause for alarm. Those are the words Pastor Thomas' father told him on the day of his installation. From an adjoining office, Pastor's father overheard the voice of one in authority say "After this is all over, we can get back to running the church". From March through August 1992, there was phenomenonal growth. However, in September, negative regards to the so called 'Corporate Board' increased. Initial attacks came against th Pastor when one of the Board members solicited the credit receipt from the Pastor's representation at the National Baptist Convention. 

The next storm occurred when Pastor turned in his receipts from his representation at the National Baptist Congress that was held in Detroit in June 1993. Pastor was accused of allowing someone to stay in his room to personally take advantage of the church's allocation for the trip.  When the news was revealed to the Pastor, he approached the Board leadership who told him there was no problem and the misunderstanding would be taken care of immediately. Once the church heard of the suggested charge against the Pastor, it was dismissed as erroneous and unmerited. 

Before the year ended, Pastor was accused of indirectly taking money from the church because he was receiving a direct stipend for insurance and had not purchased a policy in his name. With little or no formal conversation for clarity, opposition to the Pastor continued and morphed into an active campaign to oust the Pastor. With more escalating crises over the next few months, the spiritual marriage between clery and congregation was broken. A deacon and truste secured the services of an attorney to draft papers stating Pastor Thomas' contract has been terminated. This was done without the knowledge of the church at large or the individuals on the 'Corporate Board'.  The action of those two men led to a split in the church. 

Pastor Thomas appealed for Christian discipline and biblical respons; but the persistence of the two men increased and opposition to Pastor Thomas also grew. Pastor Thomas requested cleric involvement from Dr. Fred G Sampson of MI and Dr M. K. Nelson of MS to give counsel and direction to the church. Pastor Thomas stated he would accept the recommendation of these two pastors who had been well known to the congregation. Needless to say, those who opposed Pastor Thomas also opposed the request stating the court will decide.

There were members determined not to hear another message from Pastor Thomas. These members organized to interrupt the morning worships. They read scriptures from the Bible out loud while Pastor Thomas tried to preach. They sung while he tried to preach. They opened and raised newspapers and rattled them at various points throughout the service. The police was called to prevent Pastor Thomas from carrying out the charge that God had given him. Soon, the treasurer of the church and the financial secretary informed Pastor Thomas he would be receiving his final paycheck. But with tremendous faith, Pastor Thomas was determined. Deacon Eugene Stephens and Trustee Robert Hart told Pastor Thomas no to worry...things would work out. Deacon Stephens made a statement to the congregation, "Those members who want to support Pastor Thomas and his vision, bring your tithes and offering to me". During the stewardship period, the majority of those present brought their financial contributions to Deacon Stephens. 

Since there were those who did not want Pastor Thomas in the pulpit, he directed those who wanted to hear his message to meet him in the lower level of the church. Nearly one hundred members assembled and Pastor carried out a peaceful worship. A special account was opened to handle the finances that were taken. Soon after, the minister of music and the janitor would lose their salaries because they believed the right thing to do was to follow the Pastor. The final hurdles came when officials changed the locks on the doors or chained the doors shut to prevent us from entering the building for worship. This happened several times during the course of our struggle. 

Pastor Thomas communicated with Dr. Robert L Wilson, the pastor of Saint John's United Baptist Church who so graciously opened the doors to their building so we could continue to worship together. An arrangement was made with Pastor Wilson for us to meet every Sunday at 7:30A.M. This would guarantee our peaceful worship until our issue was settled. AS we met at Saint John's, we assembled under th banner of 'Saints in Worship'. In the gloom of our struggle, we needed directions; therefore, on-going meetings with the pastor, deacons and other key personalities were held at the home of Deacon Stephens and Deacon Rushing to discuss our issues and resolutions. 

After some eighteen months of strife and several judges, the court ordered the church to vote. The first attempt to have a vote was postponed because of added contention. The secont attempt was carried out Easter weekend in 1995 and we were summoned back to court. Realizing an appeal process could be used if Pastor Thomas won the vote, and the embarrassment to the faith community and especially the lack of glory given to God, Pastor Thomas decided to walk away. 

Deacon Eugene Stephens, Deacon Thomas Robinson and Deacon John Rushing met with Pastor Thomas to inform him of the sentiments of several members. The painful experience endured revealed the anger, schemes and rage from those who they once called sisters and brothers was too much to overcome. The deacons informed Pastor Thomas that many members had made up their minds not to return to Antioch. As stated earlier, history isnot always pleasurable; some time there is pain. New life does not become reality without birth pains.  The deacons were concerned about what would happen to those member who needed nurturing and needed healing from the experience. They asked Pastor Thomas to help them organize the members. At this point, E. L. Thomas ceased to wear the title of Pastor but gave directions as a representative of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. He served on the Board of Evangelism nationally and as Special Assistant to the President of the National Baptist Convention. 

Dr. E. L. Thomas made three phone calls - Dr. E. J. Jones and Dr. Manual Scott of the National Evangelism Board and Dr. Henry J Lyons, the President of the National Baptist Convention USA, Inc. They advised Dr. Thomas to meet with the people and listen to the leadership of the Spirit. On June 4, 1995, a resolution was read during the worship service held at Saint John's United Baptist Church. The resolution voiced the request of the deacons who had met with Dr. Thomas to organize a community of faith church to carry out the mandate of Christ.  One hundred and fourteen believers signed membership forms to become charter members of a new congregation. 

Under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, Dr. Thomas conducted and organized the first meeting giving directions on becoming a church of Jesus Chris. Those present accepted the challenge to become a Baptist Church. Deacon Eugene Stephens was elected Chairman of Deacons. Brother Robert Hart was elected Chairman of Trustees. Sister Estella Williams was elected Church Clerk. Deacon John Rushing was elected Treasurer. Sister Charlene Thomas was elected Financial Secretary. Deacon Stephens then chaired the meeting where a motion was giving to have Dr. E. L. Thomas serve as Pastor. The vote was unamimous. 

Dr. Thomas impressed upon the believers that the only way to reach what God has purposed in our ministry is to follow leadership. He stated he would not compromise his duties as pastor and would seek the Spirit's guidance in all things. Up unto this point, the believers had worshipped under the name 'Saints in Worship'. The first official act was to accept a name for the new congregation. Pastor Thomas submitted the name 'Victory Missionary Baptist Church'. He stated, "This is more than a name, it is an attitude because God had given us victory over our struggles".  An immediate search was conducted to find a permanent place for worship, education and ministry. Through connections made by our attorney, God directed us to our present location of 2661 N Teutonia Ave. We were able to lease the basement. Much work had to be done to prepare the space for worship. We agreed upon the lease in July 1995. On the 4th Sunday in August 1995 we held the dedication program in our new home. Dr. Arthur Hughes of AR preached the morning service and Dr. B. J. Gaston preached the dedicatory service. In March 2001 we purchased the whole building and property for $200,000 financed by Park Bank. On the 3rd Sunday in May 2001, we dedicated the building in conjunction with the Pastor's Appreciation program; Pastor Marvin Wiley and the Rock of Ages Baptist Church of Maywood IL were our guest.

After the thirty days of mourning, the seat of Pastor E. L. Thomas was unveiled. The church continued to move forward. On August 9, 2007, a church meeting was called to appoint a pulpit committee. The deacons met with WGBSC President, Dr. Floyd Prude, Jr and Vice President-at-Large, Dr. Robert T. Wilson to review and discuss the church's Constitution and Bylaws. We received instructions and guidance on how to proceed.  The pulpit committee set the date to vote on September 20, 2007. Rev Edward Thomas was the only candidate presented. It was announced on Sunday, September 23, 2007 that Rev. Edward Thomas was voted in as Pastor. The installation service took place on November 18, 2007.

Rev Edward Thomas becomes the second pastor of Victory. His pastoral vision for Victory based on Colossians 2:9-10 is that 'every member enjoy the richness and fullness which makes up the inheritance that a believer has in Christ; that we also engage in a healthy fellowship with one another, as we are about the business of Christ'. He adapted a church mission statement based on I Corinthians 15:57-58 "But thanks be to God, which giveth us us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ". Victory is the place where every person has the opportunity to experience total victory. Here we (1) LOVE the Savior, (2) LIVE FOR the Savior,  (3) LIFT the Savior, (4) LEAN ON the Savior (5) LEAD others to the Savior. 

Under Pastor Edward Thomas' leadership, Victory continued to move forward taking in over 150 new members between 2007 - 2010.  Pastor E. E. Thomas appointed Rev. Willie Lyons III as Associate Pastor/Administrator, ordained four new deacons, added seven new mothers and licensed one minister. Ministries and programs E. E. Thomas implemented: Tuesday night Bible Study, Intercessory Prayer Ministry, Food Pantry, Pioneer Week (A Tribute to Dr. E. L. Thomas), Men's Prayer Breakfast, E. L. Thomas Men's Choir and the Evangelism Ministry Revival. Pastor Thomas asked that the monies raised during Pioneer Week would be donated to the organizations that Dr. E. L. Thomas loved - Roosevelt Walls Scholarship Fund, Late Night Ministers Scholarship Fund and American Baptist College. 

As God allows others to come and generations to rise, may the history we write from this day forward bring glory to the Father in heaven.