History

Victorious Faith Ministries is a non-profit organization incorporated under the Companies Act of 1995. The early beginnings of this organization can be traced to the arrival of its founder and Senior Pastor, Bishop Dr. David Ibeleme, into Trinidad and Tobago from Lagos, Nigeria on Sunday 19th November 1989, having been formally ordained into ministry two days prior by the late Bishop Harford Iloputaife. About 2 weeks after his arrival (Friday 1st December 1989), he along with four (4) persons namely; Dr. Akin Oluwole, Dr. Sanya Adedepo, Yohanna Valentine and Sean Duke commenced a cell group meeting in a flat on Jerningham Avenue. These five persons would eventually lay the foundation for the dynamic and visionary ministry that is officially known today as Victorious Faith Ministries (VFM).

Sunday 27th May 1990 marked the first of many Sunday morning services to be held at the Belmont Community Centre. The Junior Church Department was also founded in 1990. One year later, on Sunday 16th June 1991, the first church service was held at the present location of Victory Christian Outreach Church (VCOC), Belmont at the Corner of Erthig Road and Pelham Streets, Belmont. On Sunday 22nd September 1991, the Ministry was informally branded as Victorious Faith Ministries (VFM) and on the 11th day of November 1991, Bishop Dr. David Ibeleme brought Rev. Dr. Mrs. Ijeoma Ibeleme, his bride and life partner, to Trinidad.

After the formal registration of VFM in 1993, the first local church was incorporated as Victory Christian Outreach Church in Belmont. To date we have established seven (7) Victory Outreach Churches throughout Trinidad and Tobago and two (2) in Nigeria. They are as follows:

• Victory Outreach Church, El Dorado (est. 1995) [now known as Glorious Church as of 2006]

• Victory Outreach Church, Tobago [The Power House of God] (est. 1995)

• Victory Outreach Church, San Fernando [Winners’ Chapel] (est. 1996)

• Victory Outreach Church Port Harcourt, Nigeria [Christ Love Church] (est. 2001)

• Victory Outreach Church, Bank Village [Vision Of Christ Church] (est. 2006/2007)

• Victory Outreach Church, Arima (est. 2007)

• Victory Outreach Church, Princes Town [Harvest Time Assembly] (est. 2009)

• Victory Outreach Church, Umuahia, Nigeria (est. 2010)

We are a grass root foundation which has been reaching out and supporting communities throughout Trinidad and Tobago.

Our local ministries include, but are not limited to:

Chronology

Sunday 19th November 1989: Dr. David Ibeleme arrived in Trinidad & Tobago

1st week of Dec. 1989: Started House meeting in Dr. Akin Oluwole’s flat (Jerningham Avenue). Started with five (5) persons Dr. Akin Oluwole, Dr. Sanya Adedepo, Yohanna Valentine, Sean Duke (Visitor) & Bishop

Sunday 27th May 1990: First Sunday morning service at Belmont Community Centre

1990: Launch of Junior Church

Sunday 16th June 1991: 1st Service at Present Location – 20 Erthig Rd (Cor. Erthig Rd & Pelham St.), Belmont

Sunday 22nd September 1991: Ministry was formally known as Victorious Faith Ministries (VFM)

Monday 11th November 1991: Ps. Ije came to Trinidad

Sunday 17th May 1992: 1st Pastor ordained after Bishop (Ps. Neves Chrichlow)

Sept. 1992: Launch of Victory Bible Faith Training Centre (School of Ministry)

1992/1993: Challenges with name – Victory Christian Outreach Centre; Victory Family Outreach Centre; Finally settled on Victory Christian Outreach Church after the formal registration of VFM

1993: Radio Ministry Commenced

Sunday 28th March 1993: Pastor Ijeoma Ibeleme ordained

1994: Technological advancement – Video Taping of services

Sunday 27th March 1994: Apostle Ayotunde Akindele ordained

1994: Bishop produced his 1st book (You Can Have The Things You Desire).

1995: Radio Ministry – Victory Saturday Nite Special

March 1995: Victory Outreach Church (Kingdom Seekers) Maraval

September 1995: Victory Outreach Church (The Glorious Church) El Dorado

October 1995: Victory Outreach Church (Power House of God) Tobago

1995/1996: Television Ministry Started

Aug-Sept. 1996: Purchased Property at 20 Erthig Road, Belmont

December 1996: Victory Outreach Church (Winners’ Chapel) San Fernando

Sunday October 12th 1997: Rev. Dr. David Ibeleme consecrated as Bishop of Victorious Faith Ministries

1998: 1st Victory Believers’ Conference Theme – “Co-Labourers Together With God” – 1 Cor. 3:9

1998: First Jesus Rally (TOBAGO)

1998: Medical Office

1998: Purchased Land re – Tobago Church

1999: Radio Ministry: Victorious Faith Nuggets

October 1999: Paid off Loan taken for 20 Erthig Road Belmont

1999/2000: Victory Gems Preschool & Daycare Centre

2004/2005: Technological advancement: EasyWorship, Microsoft PowerPoint etc.

2006/2007: Victory Outreach Church (Vision Of Christ) Bank Village

2007: Victory Outreach Church Arima

2008: Radio Ministry – Victory Breakthrough Hour

2009: Victory Outreach Church (Harvest Time Assembly) Princes’ Town

December 2009: Victory Outreach Church Umuahia

April 2010: Tobago Church Building formally dedicated

2011: Bishop’s celebration of 20 Years in Ministry

2012: Bishop Ayotunde Akindele consecrated

May 8th 2013: Acquisition of property for Arima Church

July 2013: Merging of Maraval Church with Belmont Church

2015: Arima Church grand opening

2016: Relocation of Princes Town Church

2017: Laura-Annette Villa at Arima property open for occupancy

January 2019: Technological advancement – VCOC Website

2019: Commencement of Spanish Services at Belmont Church