PASTORAL LEADERSHIP
SAM AND DONNA LUKE, SENIOR PASTORS
Sam Luke answered the call of God at the early age of seventeen. He began his ministry by preaching on the street corner in a small rural town in Georgia. Since that time, Rev. Luke has reached out to millions in the United States and many foreign countries with a Christ-centered message of salvation, healing and deliverance. Rev. Luke received his formal education from Lee University, Cleveland, Tennessee.
For eleven years, Rev. Luke conducted crusades in churches and citywide trans-denominational meetings, as well as special meetings for his denomination. He is the author of several books and sacred music albums. He served as Pastor Pro Tem and Associate Pastor of the National Church of God in Washington, D.C. for three years.
Sam Luke and his wife, Donna Sears Luke, (also a graduate of Lee University) served as pastor of the Oak Park Church of God in Mobile, Alabama, for eight years. While there, the church experienced phenomenal growth, from 167 in attendance to a record of 1,538, with over 1,000 new members joining the fellowship.
In September 1992, he and Donna moved to Hamilton, Ohio, to pastor the Princeton Pike Church of God, one of the largest churches in his denomination. Under his leadership, a new 4,000 seat auditorium was built on 100 acres to accommodate the ever-increasing number of worshipers who attended the three worship services every Sunday.
On March 7, 2004, Pastor Sam became the Senior Pastor of Stewart Road Christian Ministries Center in the Detroit, Michigan area where the congregation enjoyed continued success for 6 years.
In March of 2010, the Lukes moved to metropolitan Richmond, Virginia to serve as the Senior Pastor of Victory Tabernacle Church of God. Victory Tabernacle's "Victory Today" is seen in 184 countries over King T.V. Network, by millions over Now Network and recently over Precious T.V. reaching 17 African nations with the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Victory Today's radio broadcast is aired daily over the Truth Network. Pastor Sam's most recent book is titled "Winning With The Word" and is available at VictoryTab.org.
Pastor Sam, over the years, has been involved in serving the community through agencies designed to help the needy. He has served on the Butler County Children’s services board in Ohio and founded a home for single mothers in Ohio, and is presently involved in a weekly feeding program for underprivileged families in Virginia.
Pastor and Donna Luke have one daughter who is married to Evan Ballard and are the grandparents of Zion Grace & Shiloh Ruth Ballard. Sarah and Evan serve with them in the ministry at Victory Tabernacle where they are Children's and Evangelism Pastors.
JUAN CARLOS ROCA
HISPANIC PASTOR
Juan Carlos and Maria Roca born in Guatemala, along with their children, Sara, Karla, and Jacob born in Canada, arrived in Richmond 2004 working as the Hispanic Pastors at Victory.
Before beginning their pastoral work they worked ten years in missions in Central America. For the past eight years, they have traveled to Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and recently Peru. As well as joining forces and working with Generación Emergente of Latin America.
Their work with the Hispanic Ministry includes teaching, preaching and pastoral care. They are also active with the Hispanic Community of Richmond through social work.
EVAN BALLARD
MEDIA & EVANGELISM
PASTOR
Evan Ballard is a native of North Carolina and moved to Virginia with his wife Sarah in 2016.
He studied Pastoral Studies at Lee University & was an active member of Campus Choir.
He is a Credentialed and Ordained Minister with the Church of God. Evan and Sarah have two daughters, Zion Grace and Shiloh Ruth.
Cliff & Dionne Daniels
Chris Allen
MUSIC MINISTER
SARAH BALLARD
CHILDREN'S PASTOR
MARKETING DIRECTOR
Sarah is the daughter of Pastor Sam Luke and the wife of Pastor Evan Ballard. She and her husband have two daughters, Zion Grace and Shiloh Ruth.
Sarah is a native to Cincinnati Ohio with an education in Nursing. In 2017 she left the secular work field to join her husband in full time ministry.
At Victory she continues to oversee many ministries including Victory Kids & Victory Tots. She also directs the marketing and social media at Victory Tabernacle.
JONATHAN MONTIEL
YOUTH PASTOR
PHILLIP HUGHES
CONNECTIONS PASTOR
ADMINISTRATION
MELODY UNDERWOOD
ADMINISTRATOR
Melody is the daughter of retired Church of God missionaries & grew up all over the world. She is married to her husband, Jim for 37 years & they have 2 beautiful daughters, 3 granddaughters and 1 grandson.
Melody has been on staff since 2001. She serves to coordinate office procedures & coordinates church activities, communication with ministries and laity, outside events & many other areas. She is dedicated to excellence within the administration area of the church.
She completed her formal education at Liberty University & has a Masters in Professional Counselling. She has a heart for the church & those who are hurting & it is her desire to help the body of Christ achieve their goals for spiritual growth & mental health.
SHERRIE BALLARD
CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER DIRECTOR
