History - 40 Years of Victory

the years

through

Victory

1984-1988

The mid-80s was one of the most tumultuous periods in Philippine history. It was also the precise moment when God called Rice Broocks, Steve Murrell, and Al Manamtam to plant a church that will reach Filipino students. They went straight to the University Belt in Manila where hundreds of thousands of students were studying and marching in protest against the dictatorship. They planted a church called Maranatha Christian Fellowship (later renamed Victory) in Tandem Cinema along Recto Ave. and told each student they needed a Bible and a passport.

A Bible to know God, and a passport to obey God. Within a few years, they had already planted churches in Makati (1986), Dagupan (1987), Tuguegarao (1987), and Baguio (1988). Victory sends short term missions teams to Indonesia and Japan in 1986 which will be the first two of what will become hundreds of future Ten Days teams.

1989-1993

This period saw a spur of activities with major implications. It was during this time that Victory churches started hanging “Jesus.” banners in its venues. In 1991, Victory merged with next door neighbor Praise Christian Fellowship (only a thin wooden wall separated the two). Youth on Fire, the first annual youth camp, was also held in Zambales. In 1992, Victory FIRE, a monthly magazine designed to keep the vision at the forefront was launched. God Is On Our Side, the first Victory music album was released.

It was in the same year that Victory planted its first mission church in Chittagong, Bangladesh through Rocky & Gemma Hashmi with Richard Gambe. In 1993, the Victory Leadership Institute was started (eventually becoming the Every Nation School of Ministry). Thousands would graduate from this school over the next decades. The first Asian Invasion conference is held with the aim of sending Filipino missionaries to all of the world.

1994-1998

In 1994, Rice Broocks, Phil Bonasso, and Steve Murrell joined their ministries to form Morning Star International (later renamed Every Nation). In 1995, Rouel and Febs Asuncion moved to Dubai to plant a church. This church would eventually see churches planted in all of the UAE, India, Iran, Sri Lanka, and Armenia. It is now the hub for Every Nation’s work in the Middle East. In 1997, Victory acquired its first facility in Pasig City, fondly called “the Rock.”

In 1998, Doc Joey Castro planted a church to reach what, at the time, was the biggest high school in the world, Rizal High School. His compassion to help poor students by helping them with their tuition and daily expenses out of his own pocket led to the founding of Real LIFE Foundation. Gio and Mariel Saynes begin the work in China which quickly spread through all the major cities in the coming years.

The following year, the Every Nation building in BGC was completed and serves as the headquarters for most leadership training and development.

1999-2003

In 2002, Victory held its first annual Prayer & Fasting week to start each new year with an act of consecration. Victory Ortigas pioneered the Victory Weekend, designed to help each believer walk in the freedom purchased by Christ through the cross.

2004-2008

Campus Harvest Asia is held in Baguio City in 2005. This regional campus conference was designed to raise and send campus missionaries throughout Asia. In 2007, the Philippines hosted the Every Nation World Conference for the first time at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao. Delegates from – nations were in attendance.

That same year, Victory Metro Manila became “one church” and adopted “Honor God. Make Disciples.” as its concise mission statement.

2009-2013

More than 4,000 Victory Group leaders filled the PhilSports Arena for the first annual Discipleship Convergence in 2009. The following year, Victory sent its 100th long term, cross-cultural Filipino missionary into the field (we have 190 today). In 2011, the growth of the churches was far outpacing Victory’s ability to raise pastors. A number of senior leaders holed themselves up in a hotel for three days and traded stories on how they were called to and trained for ministry. Out of that brainstorming session was birthed the “Four I’s” of leadership development.

In 2013, Victory launched its 2020 Initiative whose goal was to reach 3 new nations every year until 2020. This led to the successful explosion of church plants in Asia and the Middle East.

2014-2018

Victory Worship debuted its first album, Radical Love, in 2014. Victory Worship continues to write music for the church that points people to God in worship and to the world in mission through what they refer to as “missional worship.” In 2015, the Every Nation building phase 2 is completed, exponentially multiplying Victory’s ability to train and develop leaders and full-time ministers.

That same year, Bishop Ferdie Cabiling ran the entire length of the Philippines to raise funds for underprivileged students through the Real Life Foundation. Victory launched its ministry to reach Filipino Muslims.

2019-2021

Victory planted its 100th provincial church in Mabalacat, Pampanga in 2019. When the Pandemic hit in 2020, the daily Morning Worship and Prayer was started on the first day of ECQ. The EN building was opened to front-liners as a quarantine facility quarters and a safe refuge. Victory immediately resumed its onsite services based on government guidelines. Ten Days mission teams pushed through with their trips to 6 nations online.

AWAKE84, Victory’s youth band, was launched to reach the next generation through music. In 2021, Rico and Kitty Ricafort moved to Panama to plant the first Every Nation church in Central America.

From a leaking basement to a modern facility for students, Victory’s mission remains unchanged for 40 years – change the campus, change the world.

2022-2024

The Philippines started hosting Every Nation Seminary’s annual cohorts in 2022. Alab, the first onsite campus conference since the Pandemic is held in various centers around the country. In the same year, 5 new churches are planted in the larger Metro Manila: Cainta, Sta Mesa, San Pedro, San Jose del Monte, and Taguig. As government restrictions on mass gatherings are lifted, a fresh new harvest of young people is noticeably added to the churches. In 2024, Victory U-Belt moves into its new facility not far from its original location in Tandem Cinema.