OUR HISTORY:
Victory Christian Fellowship (VCF) held its first service in North Manchester in June of 1996. Pastor Tim Morbitzer, his wife, Penny, and others excitedly came together for the inaugural service. The vision to plant a new, non-denominational, Spirit-filled church in North Manchester had become a reality!
Pastor Tim and Penny had been pastoring and ministering in California for over 18 years prior to moving to Indiana. There they had founded and pastored a thriving, dynamic church in San Luis Obispo, located on California's beautiful Central Coast. The church, Agape Christian Fellowship, grew to almost 300 people when Pastor Tim and Penny were led by the Lord to return to the Midwest, where their roots and families were. God was bringing them back home.
Pastor Tim and Penny began ministry as staff members for Teen Challenge of Ventura, California. Teen Challenge is an international, Christian, drug and alcohol rehabilitation program, founded by Reverend David Wilkerson of The Cross and the Switchblade, a best-selling book later made into a movie, starring Pat Boone and Eric Estrada. During that time, Pastor Tim and Penny ministered the Gospel to thousands of individuals in schools, hospitals, churches, prisons, jails, juvenile centers, mental health facilities, and various other institutions. After Teen Challenge, Tim was an associate evangelist with Gloryland Ministries in Modesto, California, where he wrote teaching articles for a monthly newsletter, led Bible studies, and shared the Good News in churches, institutions, parks, on the streets, and anywhere people gathered.
Pastor Tim was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, in a large Roman Catholic family. Having attended parochial grade and high school, he had a love for the Lord as a young boy. However, he rebelled against church and organized religion after high school. While attending Ohio State University, he began to search for happiness and fulfillment in alcohol, drugs, partying and travel. In his search for true peace and love, his life was dramatically and permanently changed as he read the Bible, God's Word, and had a personal encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ.
Penny was born and raised in Huntington, Indiana, and brought up in the United Brethren Church. Although she attended services regularly, she was not born again. She met Jesus Christ, and her life was forever changed, when she went to California to visit her aunt, who worked for Teen Challenge. She ended up working there, where she and Pastor Tim met and later married. In addition to being a pastor's wife, Penny enjoys being a mother, homemaker and gardener. They have four grown children, Sarah, Michelle, Jeanna Mae and Jonathan.
Since being born again, Pastor Tim and Penny have both dedicated their lives and energies to having a Godly home and to sharing the truth that Jesus sets people free.
In August of 2001, VCF opened Victory Christian Bookstore, a full service bookstore offering a great variety of books, Bibles, movie and music. Materials that are not in stock can be easily ordered. A video/DVD rental library is also available featuring family movies, Christian movies, childrens videos/DVD's, and teaching videos on such subjects as evolution vs. creation, being single, dating, walking by faith, victorious living, healing and health, relationships, managing finances, knowing God, etc. We encourage you to visit or call.
We believe in, and teach, the uncompromised Word of God. Our goal is to share practical, life-changing principles from the Bible in a way that is easy to understand and apply to one's own life. Our burning desire is to see people set free, and grow and mature in Christ. We desire that the Word we minister would bring powerful insight into the victorious, overcoming Christian life. Many have testified of changed lives, spiritual growth, and physical and emotional healings as a result of the teaching gift and confirming ministry of the precious Holy Spirit. "You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free!" (John 8:36)