Since 1922 on Coonpath Road
Victory Hill Church has been gathering on Coonpath Road in Carroll, Ohio for more than a century. On January 1, 1922, a small group stirred by the Holy Spirit planted what would become Victory Hill, then known as Lancaster Church of God. Their vision was a church for the people of Lancaster and surrounding communities. From the very beginning, the people of this church have been passionate about seeing lives changed by the Holy Spirit.
Through more than a hundred years, the mission has stayed the same: to see people connect with God and connect with each other. The church family has witnessed addicts set free, sick bodies healed, broken marriages restored, and salvation finally found. The church's purpose is summed up in four phrases: Follow Jesus, Find Freedom, Discover Your Purpose, Make a Difference.
Sunday Mornings at 10
Worship services meet every Sunday at 10 AM, both in person and online. A typical service runs about an hour and fifteen minutes. One of the pastors opens with announcements and welcomes the room before the band leads a few songs. A pastor then shares a message, and the service closes with a final song and prayer. Services are livestreamed on Facebook and YouTube every Sunday at 10 AM, and past messages remain available on the church's YouTube channel.
The atmosphere is relaxed. Jeans and a t-shirt are completely normal, even for the lead pastor. Services are geared toward both long-time Christians and first-time guests. Visitors are invited to linger in the entryway afterward to meet someone new, grab a cup of coffee, or head out whenever they like.
Bringing the Kids Along
Families are central to life at Victory Hill. Children from preschool through fifth grade are invited to JourneyLand Kids during each service, where they sing, play games, do crafts, and experience God in an interactive, safe environment. A nursery is available during every service for babies ages 0 to 2, staffed by trained volunteers.
Victory Hill Youth offers programming throughout the week for students in sixth through twelfth grade. Middle School Mornings is a special Sunday morning class for sixth through eighth graders that begins right after worship, giving preteens a fun way to learn more about Christ.
The Hills They Stand On
Seven core values shape the culture at Victory Hill, what the church calls the hills they stand on:
- Fearless Faith - the belief that God can do more than anyone could ask, think, or imagine, leading the church to pray courageously and live faith loudly.
- Authentic Relationships - a home where everyone is welcome, a family and community pursuing life-giving relationships.
- Contagious Joy - an overflow of gladness from a God who exudes joy, meant to consume the community.
- Elevated Excellence - the pursuit of God's greatness in every effort, since lives are a reflection of His glory.
- Devoted Servanthood - humble leadership, never hesitating to serve God and others.
- Extreme Generosity - generous giving of time, resources, and finances, recognizing that everything comes from God.
- Extravagant Worship - showing God genuine worship and experiencing the greatness of His presence.
What Victory Hill Believes
The Statement of Faith teaches that there is one God, all-powerful, all-knowing, ever-present, unchanging, perfect, holy, good, loving, compassionate, and faithful. The Bible is the authoritative Word of God, inspired, infallible, and inerrant in its original writing, and the final authority in determining all doctrinal truths.
Jesus Christ, being God by nature, was born of a virgin, gave up His divine privileges, took on the humble position of a servant, and entered fallen humanity. He lived without sin, died unjustly, and rose again to conquer sin and death, providing the way for people to be forgiven and eternally reconciled to God.
The Holy Spirit is God's presence with mankind, convicting all people of sin. For believers, the Spirit renews the soul, empowers Christ-like living, imparts spiritual gifts, and guides into all truth. God exists as one being in three persons - the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit - each with equal power and authority, operating in complete unity to bring salvation and restoration.
People are created in the image of God and are the supreme object of His creation. Though humanity became separated from God through sinful disobedience, salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus. The blood of Jesus provides the only way of salvation through the forgiveness of sin. Every person, from conception to natural death, possesses dignity and immeasurable worth.
The Church is a local community of believers committed to the teachings of Jesus and to fulfilling the Great Commission, with Christ as its only true head. People were created to exist forever, either in relationship with God through Christ or eternally separated from God by sin. Victory Hill looks forward to the glorious, visible return of Christ, the final judgment, and a new heaven and new earth.
Next Steps: From Visitor to Volunteer
Victory Hill walks newcomers through a clear path called Next Steps, teaching the church's beliefs, helping participants discover their God-given gifts, and showing them how to use those gifts. Three milestones stand out:
- Baptism - an outward expression of an inward decision to follow Christ, showing the world the decision that has been made.
- Baby Dedication - a joyful celebration where parents commit to raising their child in faith, surrounded by the love and support of the church family.
- Life Groups - smaller communities that meet throughout the week, less about what members do and more about who they do it with.
Anyone ready to serve can join the Dream Team, and prayer requests can be submitted online. Everything is also gathered in one place through the Church Center app, available on iOS and Android.
Reaching Beyond Carroll
The church teaches that tithing, or giving ten percent of one's income back to the Lord, is a biblical practice rooted in Leviticus 27:30 and Deuteronomy 12:6-7. Offerings and Faith Promises make it possible to reach beyond Carroll for Christ. Victory Hill says, "Your giving goes so much further than the four walls of our church." Giving is available online.
Practicalities for Visitors
Victory Hill is located at 4000 Coonpath Road in Carroll, Ohio. Office hours run Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 4 PM, and the team can be reached at (740) 756-7563 or vhsecretary@victoryhill.org. The church maintains an active presence on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, where Sunday services stream live and sermon archives stay available.
The church also opens its facilities for rental to outside groups, with an application process available through the church office.