CHURCH HISTORY

THE BEGINNING
Allow us the privilege of going back in time. Go back with us, 50 years, to this very spot on June 11, 1961, Rev. Abner J. Thompson, along with his wife Mother Christine Thompson and a few followers, founded the Victory Missionary Baptist Church under his pastorate.

Victory Missionary Baptist Church was originally organized at the Zion United Methodist Church dining hall, which was located on the corner of Washington and G streets. Shortly after, a permanent place of worship was established through faith, trust and prayers. The Lord Almighty God provided for a location virtually free of charge on the corner of Monroe and E streets. Victory Missionary Baptist Church has remained here ever since.

Mother Lula Jowers was a special woman who, when Victory was established was generous enough to make it financially possible for us to have the place we now worship. She financed a personal loan to the church in the amount of five thousand dollars and was very lenient in her requirements of re-payment.

Under Rev. Thompson’s leadership, several area families were instrumental in the cultivation of this growing church. The Addison, Bradford, Brown, Carson, Collins, Coward, Dowell, Fairman, Fouston, Fowler, Hampton, Harvey, Ivory, Jordan, May, McCoy, McDowell, Mitchell, Smith, Stout, Thompson, White, Williams, and Wilson families all played key roles. And together, they placed a principal focus on preaching, prayer, teaching, and praise through music.

The early years defined the church, with Rev. Thompson providing fire and brimstone-style sermons. The usher board and Sunday school became mainly responsible for teaching and training youth. The music department was led by those spirit-filled talents who were ready and willing to sing Zion songs and praise God.

From these early beginnings, Victory Choir’s reputation as a Holy Band of God became well known throughout Las Vegas and other parts of the country. Musicians trained at Victory became very popular and moved on to teach and lead other church choirs. Ministers borne from the Victory Missionary Baptist Church flock became successful pastors and moved on to share God’s Word in other churches.

The church continued its growth, as friends, acquaintances, residents of the neighborhood and members of other congregations decided to place their membership at Victory, the congregation soon outgrew the current location. Between 1981 and 1984, the pastor and families began plans to construct a new church home, which would include an education building, kitchen, dining area, and Sunday school. The construction contract was awarded to R. L. Fortson Construction Company of Las Vegas, Nevada.

More than 200 members and friends attended the groundbreaking ceremony held Sunday, May 2, 1982. Many of these attendees would go on to invest countless hours over several months assisting in the construction of the new edifice. Their diligent labor was realized when the congregation moved into the new place of worship and education building was ready for use in the spring of 1984.

Pastor Thompson and founding members, Reverand A.J. Thompson, A.T. McCoy and Horace McDowell and Will McDowell work on new sanctuary.

About that same time, Rev. Thompson left the church for a short period. To find new leadership, the congregation placed its faith in God and called Rev. George Dubose from Kansas City, Missouri. As pastor, Rev. Dubose served 16 months before resigning and bringing Rev. Thompson back home to Victory. Rev. Thompson led the church for 35 years until his retirement in February 1996.

FINDING GUIDANCE
A pulpit search committee was put together to search for a new pastor, after continuous prayer, the church called Dr. Robert E. Fowler, Sr. Pastoring at the time in Lawton, Oklahoma, to take the lead as Victory’s new pastor. Dr. Robert E. Fowler Sr. was primarily educated in the Arizona educational school system. Dr. Fowler attended Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff Arizona and graduated with a Bachelors of Science degree. He has earned Master degrees from both Southwestern Baptist theological Seminary in Fort Worth Texas and Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary in Lynchburg Virginia. He earned his Doctorate of Ministry in May of 1990, from Tyndale Theological Seminary and is currently working on an EDD (Doctor of Education Degree). He was installed as Senior Pastor of Victory Missionary Baptist Church on Nov. 17, 1996. With his installment, Pastor Fowler brought with him a wealth of knowledge an inspired understanding of The Word, church management, leadership skills, church growth doctrine, and community access principles. Along with these assets, he brought his cherished family, his wife Joyce and son Robert Jr.

Dr. Robert E. Fowler Sr., Senior Pastor, Mrs. Joyce Fowler and Robert Fowler Jr.

Shortly after the installment of Pastor Fowler, the church called Rev. Charles Smith to serve as his Associate Pastor. Rev. Smith was very instrumental in holding the church together in the absence of a pastor. Rev Smith instructs the teachers of Victory’s Sunday School, he is responsible for all of the church fellowships as well as giving leadership counseling to the various ministries at the church. He is also the primary person to make hospital visits and assist all members with funerals and weddings. Victory Missionary Baptist Church has a strong contingent of law enforcement officers due to Rev. Smith’s work with the Metropolitan Police Department and the city of North Las Vegas Police Department as well. Victory is a stronger church due to the ministry leadership of Rev Smith. Rev. Smith is married to Irma and together they have two daughters.

Assistant Pastor Rev. Charles Smith, Mrs. Erma Smith, Ursalynn Robinson, Eiesha Smith, Granddaughter - Natalie Robinson