A Pentecostal Home on North Hill Avenue
Victory Bible Church meets at 1497 North Hill Avenue in Pasadena, where two Sunday services, a network of small groups, a children's ministry, a thriving youth program, and an annual scholarship fund all flow from one stated mission: to create spaces for people to encounter God, be formed as disciples of Jesus, and live their purpose. The church's tagline - "Encounter God. Know His Heart. Live Your Purpose." - sets the tone for everything from the worship room to the kids' classrooms. Lead Pastor Jonathan Decuir, born and raised in Pasadena, leads a leadership team that preaches a Pentecostal message centered on the present work of the Holy Spirit and the call for every believer to find a God-given purpose.
Sundays at Victory: Two Services, One Table
Sunday mornings at Victory Bible Church offer two identical services at 8:30 AM and 11:00 AM. The gatherings are described by the church as moments to "come encounter God through powerful worship, healing, deliverance, and life-changing ministry in an atmosphere where expectation meets manifestation." Visitors planning a first visit can fill out a Plan Your Visit form so the church can prepare to welcome them. Services are also livestreamed on YouTube for those who cannot attend in person, and a full sermon library is available for rewatching past messages.
Victory Service, a quarterly gathering that begins at 4:00 PM, extends the Sunday rhythm with an extended time of worship and ministry. It has become a flagship moment on the church calendar, drawing members and visitors who want a longer space for prayer and response.
The Leadership Team
Pastor Jonathan Decuir is the Lead Pastor. Beyond VBC, he is a certified Transformational Trainer and Professional Music Producer who runs two organizations - Session 5 Institute, which provides expert vision coaching, and SEP Productions, a music group whose work spans Hip Hop, R&B, Jazz, Rock, Pop, and Gospel. He believes that everyone has a God-given purpose and that purpose is "the solution to a problem in the world."
Bishop Milton White Sr. serves as Bishop of the House, providing spiritual covering and oversight. The Executive Pastor team includes Pastor AnGèle Cade, Pastor Darryl Hazelton (Family Life and Pastoral Ministries), and Pastor Tanya DeCuir (Sunday Experience). Together they shape the worship, family, and congregational life of the church.
VBC DNA: Transformational, Transitional, Transcending Culture
The church summarizes its culture in three values, which it calls its "DNA":
- Transformational. Victory creates space for all people to deepen their faith, discover their purpose, and be discipled.
- Transitional. The same commitment to deepening faith and discovery extends to the next chapter of a person's walk with God.
- Transcend Culture. The church welcomes hard questions, necessary conversations, and equips people with the truth regardless of cultural pressure.
Underneath these values sits a single conviction: "At Victory we are passionate about all people knowing God is for them and he has a purpose for their life. We believe that everyone breathing has a purpose God placed inside of them to be the solution to a problem in the world."
What Victory Believes
Victory Bible Church walks through nine core beliefs that frame its teaching: God, the Gospel, the Bible, Salvation, The Holy Spirit, The Church, Baptism, Unity, and The Great Commission. The church treats Salvation as the central message of the Christian faith - "the rescue and restoration of humanity through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ." Baptism is described as "a public declaration of one's faith in Jesus and a symbol of dying to one's old self and being raised to new life in Him." The Holy Spirit is given a place of present, active work, consistent with the church's Pentecostal identity. Unity and the Great Commission together shape how Victory talks about the gathered church and its outward call.
VBC Kids
VBC Kids is the children's ministry of the church, designed to create engaging environments where children learn about God. The kids ministry is one of six formal serve teams - alongside Worship, Production, VBC YTH, Greeting, and Prayer - that keep Sunday services and weekly programs running. Families visiting for the first time can plan their visit online, and the church treats children as a core part of Sunday life rather than an afterthought.
VBC YTH: Middle School, High School, and E.C.H.O. Nights
VBC YTH exists to "empower the next generation to grow in their faith, develop authentic relationships, and impact their world for Jesus Christ." Through relevant teaching, engaging worship, and intentional discipleship, the youth ministry equips middle and high schoolers to live boldly and pursue their God-given purpose. YTH Small Groups provide a welcoming and supportive environment for students to connect with peers, grow in faith, and find belonging.
The ministry's signature event is E.C.H.O. Night, a quarterly experience where students grow in faith, discover who they are, and gain clarity for what is ahead. With worship, impactful teaching, and meaningful conversation, students are supported by trusted leaders in a safe, life-giving environment. The church partners with families to help students become confident, grounded, and purpose-driven in every area of life.
Lifegroups: Small Groups for Every Season
Victory's tagline for small groups is simple: "Don't do life alone." The church's small group philosophy rests on the idea that "transformation happens in the context of relationships" and that "as sons and daughters of God, we are called to be family." Groups meet online, in person, and in a hybrid format, on weekdays, evenings, and weekends.
A sample of the current Lifegroup menu shows the breadth:
- Pastor Tanya and Jamie - online, Tuesdays at 7:00 PM.
- Dawn and Daniel - online, Tuesdays at 7:00 PM.
- Deborah and Mary - online, Tuesdays at 7:30 PM.
- Deacon Sandra - online, Tuesdays at 7:00 PM (biweekly).
- Pastor Clyde and Keisha McNeil - online, Wednesdays at 7:00 PM.
- Life Changers Bible Study - hybrid (virtual and on campus), Tuesdays at 12:00 PM with Pastor Cooper.
- Elder Lynn Gabriel - online, Fridays at 5:00 AM.
- Hiking with Cherie and Tony - in person, second Saturday at 8:00 AM.
- Donetta and Camille - in person for women in their 30s and 40s, first Sunday at 3:00 PM.
Servant Leadership: Six Teams, One Posture
Victory's involvement philosophy is captured in the phrase "Servant Leadership is Our Posture." The church teaches, "If you're too big to serve then you are too small to lead. We believe the greatest leadership is service to others. Every leader is a servant first. From the parking lot to the pulpit, everyone serves. Every role is different but they are all important."
Six serve teams are open for new volunteers:
- Worship - leading the congregation in worship through music and singing.
- Production - providing technical support for worship services and events.
- VBC Kids - creating engaging environments for children to learn about God.
- VBC YTH - providing a space for youth to grow in their faith and build community with peers.
- Greeting Team - welcoming and assisting visitors and members before and after services.
- Prayer Team - interceding for the church, its members, and the community.
The VBC Scholarship
Beyond Sunday services and small groups, Victory Bible Church runs an annual scholarship program. The VBC Scholarship awards merit-based scholarships and book grants each year. A Scholarship Committee supports students with resources, support, and workshops throughout the school year. The committee maintains a rolling list of outside scholarship opportunities that students can review for additional aid.
Generosity: Three Ways to Give
Victory frames giving as a privilege, not an obligation: "Generosity is about giving more than what is required. We see generosity as a privilege, recognizing God has given richly towards us. We are simply stewards so, it's our honor to give back to Him. We choose to be generous with our time, talents and treasure."
Three giving channels are available:
- Online. Giving is made simple through a secure online platform.
- Text. Text "VBCPASADENA" and the amount to 77977.
- Mail or In Person. Mail to P.O. Box 92705, Pasadena, CA 91109.
Reaching Beyond the Building
Victory Bible Church maintains an active digital footprint that extends its in-person ministry. Sunday services and special gatherings are livestreamed on YouTube. The sermon library carries messages from Pastor Jonathan Decuir and guest preachers like Pastor Ray Murray. A church app (VBC Pasadena) is available on both iOS and Android. Active feeds on Facebook and Instagram keep members connected throughout the week. Ashes to Anthems, an annual weekend experience hosted at Pasadena City College, extends the church's reach beyond its own building and brings the broader community together for worship and celebration.
Plan a Visit
First-time visitors can plan their visit online, watch services on YouTube, and reach the church office at (626) 794-4700 or admin@vbcpasadena.org. Victory Bible Church is located at 1497 North Hill Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91104, with a mailing address of P.O. Box 92705, Pasadena, CA 91109.