Our story

The seed of Victory happened during the mid 90’s when Brian and Bren Gibbs (our founders) were visiting the historic Brownsville Revival in Pensacola, Florida. At that time, the Gibbs were newly married and pastoring in central Ohio. Among a crowd of several thousand people, Evangelist Steve Hill made his way to the Gibbs and told them, “I don’t know how to explain this to you. I see a banner waving over your heads, just above the two of you, and it says — VICTORY.” Then, he prayed and declared, “Heavenly Father, may your fire rest on them.”

Five months later, the Gibbs made their second journey to the Pensacola Revival and amazingly, Steve Hill came to pray for them again and released the exact same word — “I don’t know how to explain this to you. I see a banner waving over your heads, just above the two of you, and it says — VICTORY.” Then he prayed and declared, “Heavenly Father, may your fire rest on them.” This prophetic word became a seed that they would carry until the Lord would speak to relocate their family to Sarasota and begin to pioneer and plant the seed of Victory into the City.

As Brian and Bren resigned their pastoral ministry in late 1997, they launched Light The Fire Ministries, which became their national and international outreach specifically for revival and awakening. The Gibbs went onward traveling extensively throughout hundreds of churches in the United States igniting local church revivals and leaderships. Their travels were marked with the Lord’s power in preaching, the prophetic, miracles, healings, deliverance, favor and souls coming into the Kingdom.

After traveling many years on the road, and now with small children, Brian and Bren were strategically praying for a city to pioneer a revival culture that would become a continual burning torch for a region. Both of them loved the great State of Florida and had been praying specifically for several years about the southwest Florida region. The Lord gave Brian a vision in his office, while he was lying on the map of Florida late one night in prayer, and called them to Sarasota. Amongst many things, the Lord specifically said, “I’m sending you there to create an apostolic beachhead that will prepare the way for future reinforcements to come and equip the body of Christ for the outpouring of His Spirit." He also said, “I’m not sending you there to be respectable, but to be responsible for the spiritual destiny of that region.” As Brian remained silent concerning the vision, amazingly, days later, Bren came to him and said that she believed God was calling them to Sarasota.

After nearly 10 years in Sarasota, pioneering their first church, the Gibbs went through a unique prophetic shift and was redirected to Dallas, Texas. Having built a strong foundation, they installed new leadership to take Victory at Sarasota into its future discoveries and they relocated for more national partnerships and global pursuits.

Two years later, the Lord gave Bren a notable prophetic dream, which became the catalyst of turning their hearts back to Sarasota. This was a real shock to them both, as they believed that their season in Sarasota had come to an end. However, God was patiently and lovingly working in the details for a full-circle comeback.

For the first two years back in the city, the majority of their ministry was prayer in their home with many believers and prayer walking Sarasota again. Brian was flying in and out speaking at national conferences and many strategic assignments in Washington, DC. However, as Brian was on a special ministry trip to Israel the Lord spoke to him that he had Father’s authorization and heaven’s blessing to begin once again in Sarasota the original mission and mandate of Victory — to build the apostolic beachhead and continue to prepare the way of the Lord.

In September 2017, VICTORY - A Church of His Presence was publicly launched. VICTORY is becoming a vibrant and bold community of believers that are passionate about the heart and presence of God, our community and the future.  It is our greatest privilege as sons and daughters to know and experience our Father's love and grace, but so many must still come to know Him as savior and Lord.

In all their years of ministry, Victory never had a building of their own but traveled from location to location, renting, setting up and tearing down. Yet, God planted a seed in their heart and a promise of a Miracle Building to build the apostolic beachhead and prepare the way of the Lord. Through many years of prayer, prophetic promise, and dreams, God led them to  5250 17th Street,  Sarasota, FL. The place God had marked out for us.

In God's great faithfulness, VICTORY acquired the first portion of the building in April 2024 which was Phase 1. This included our office space, prayer room and teaching room. Then, the Sanctuary portion, which was Phase 2, began. Our goal for the new sanctuary was to pay it all, debt free. And we did just that. What seemed impossible became a reality. We believed that by many or by few all the phases of the Victory campus project will be paid in full, because God said it. And it was! We are so grateful for the people that have sowed a seed into this project and partnered with us too. The Kingdom of God is big and we know that God and His people helped us make this miracle happen!

VICTORY has a home and it is His resting place. The vision continues to grow, as we desire to acquire more space to expand and build His house for His glory.

Take a look at the videos showing the progress of the Victory campus from the ground up.