OUR COMMUNITY
Belief in the Bible
The Victorious Living Assembly (VLA) is a conglomeration of churches in Malaysia birthed by a vision born through the many trails. We record here the Senior Pastor Rev. Dr Philip Jayabalan’s personal testimony and history of Victorious Living Assembly.
Rev. Philip was born on May 29th 1954 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He grew up in a Hindu family. His father was temple priest. At the age of 14 he was left behind with his siblings after the death of his parents. During his youth, loneliness, sufferings, bad influences have led him to frustrations and helplessness.After many years of failures and disappointments, he decided to end his meaningless life and wanted to commit suicide. He then quietly left for Singapore in frustration. Finally, he decided to end his life by falling off the tallest building in Singapore. During the suicidal attempt, he heard two voices – one telling him to “jump” and the other “do not jump”. His life was so miserable but the voice of God was deeply convincing him not to jump. At that moment, he met a Chinese brother, Daniel Cheong Tat Loong who shared the gospel of Jesus Christ the “Life Giver”.
Rev. Philip was taken to a home fellowship organised by King of Kings Church, Singapore in 1982. The church groomed him and in six months he was pioneering churches in the estates of Malaysia. Sensing his call to a full-time ministry, the leaders send him to be trained at the Malaysian Tamil Bible Institute During the course of studies he was asked to assist a church in Ulu Bernam, Perak which was initially started by a mission group from King of Kings Church, Singapore in 1981. At the same time, many home churches were established around the Ulu Bernam area via his evangelistic work in Lumut. Air Tawar, Jenderata and other places among the Indian community, During his Bible School days, he was invited to speak in many crusades held by the Assembly of God churches. He graduated in 1985 with a Diploma in Theology, immediately after his graduation, he began pastoring a church in Sabak Bernam, Perak Darul Ridzuan.In March 8, 1986, he married Pastor Selvam, a fellow student at Malaysian Tamil Bible Institute (MTBI). Who was at that time, an assistant Pastor of Tamil Grace Assembly, Cheras. After their marriage, Pastor Philip continued to pastor the Ulu Bernam church and house meetings in Sabak Bernam in the state of Perak. His wife, Pastor Selvam assisted him in Jendrata Estate, Sabak Bernam and Simpang Empat house meetings. He pastored the church in Ulu Bernam until June 1986. When he was called to pastor a church in Kuala Lumpur.
His present appointment are:-
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Senior Minister of the Victorious Living Churches in Malaysia.
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Director of Victorious Living Ltd.
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Vice-President of Global Mission International.
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Founder and President of the Victory Bible Institute in Malaysia
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Committee member of CICLM Council
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Former Committee member of NECF
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Former Chairman of AICF Malaysia.
His wife. Pastor Selvam is a Senior Minister with him, overseeing the Victorious Living Churches in Malaysia. They have been blessed with three son’s Jason Philip Sanjay, Joel Philip Sanjay and Jeziel Philip Sanjay.
ESTABLISHMENT OF VICTORIOUS LIVING ASSEMBLY, KUALA LUMPUR
In 1984, It was then officially registered as “Victorious Living Berhad”. Pastor Philip was then a “Travelling Pastor” from Ulu Bernam.
During these years the pastors depended on God to make their ends meet. There were times when the pastors had to walk home after the services as they had no money to travel by bus. They also pawned their jewelleries to pay the rent.
Ministry from Perak to Kuala Lumpur. The church in Kuala Lumpur met at No.116, Petaling Street, Kuala Lumpur.In September 6th, 1986 both he and his wife were ordained as a ministers of the Gospel by Worldwide Victories. When Pastor Philip and his wife, Pastor Selvam took over the church, the membership was only twelve. Two services were conducted. One was in English, for the five English-speaking members and the other in Tamil, for the seven Tamil speaking members.
GROWTH OF THE CHURCH
The Soul of Victorious Living Assembly
In 1987, the owner of the church premises intended to terminate the tenancy. While searching for a new premises, the church services were conducted in Hotel Malaya and the Bible Studies were conducted at the Pastor’s residence.
These were indeed trying times for Pastor Philip and Pastor Selvam, yet they never wavered in their faith but kept pressing on believing that the Lord will see them through.
In 1989, due to the SEA Games, Hotel Malaya was fully booked and for two weeks the church could not gather at the hotel for services. While looking for a new place they met at Templers Park and at Hotel Furama. During this period, they were able to secure a place for their meeting at No. 4C, Jalan Hang Lekiu, Kuala Lumpur.
From here the church started growing and increased by 33% per annum. There were five services conducted on Sunday. Two in Tamil , one in English, one in Filipino and one Youth services.
In January 1994 a part time Tamil Bible Institute in Tamil was started. It is known as “Victory Bible Institute”. The aim of Victory Bible Institute is to train and equip students with necessary ministerial tools for students from various denominations. Who hunger and thirst to serve God.
The Institute also trains students in local and foreign missions. We saw a great explosion of God’s spirit come upon the students who attended the Institute. To date, 600 students have graduated. The Bible Institute has branched out to Tapah and Tajung Malim, Mentakab and Klang. More branches will be launched as and when the need arises. Through, Victory Bible Institute the Institute has raised up many leaders for advancement of God’s Kingdom.
The Senior Minister of Global Mission International has identified the call of an Apostle in Rev. Philip Jayabalan’s life. In November, 1999 he was ordained as an Apostle at the Apostolic Prophetic Convention (APC) at Port Dickson. Since then, the calling has been stronger and Rev. Philip Jayabalan began to operate as an Apostle to many nations.
In 2000, the church moved to a new location at No. 54-56, Jalan Hang Lekiu, Kuala Lumpur. During this year, God gave Rev.Philip Jayabalan a burden and a vision for the nation of Malaysia.
Collecting soil might look foolish in the eyes of the people, but he obeyed God and went to all the 14 states in Malaysia and collected the soil and at the same time, the doors were opened for the ministry, Rev. Philip Jayabalan not only preached but also shared the burden with the church pastors of all the 14 states. During this time, the church was going through 40 days of fasting and prayer. A special fasting and prayer meeting was held at the church premises and another 21 days for the revival of Malaysia. The 40 days fasting and prayer meeting continued annually. The church continues to grew in numbers.
Many committed leaders arose and dedicated their lives to serve God. They are pastors, elders, evangelists, deacons and deaconess. The church has involved in local and foreign missions, hospital ministry, prison ministry, street evangelism among the drug addicts, children’s ministry and Victory Cell churches (VCC). At present, the church is moving into a higher dimension of prophetical and an apostolically way to plant churches in 14 states of Malaysia.
In July 2003, the church was blessed with a new premise. It’s located currently at 4th & 5th Floor of Eng Choon Building. Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur. At present, it has about 300 members. There are people from different areas of the cities and are full of zeal for God.
AFFILIATIONS
The following churches and organizations have close ministerial ties with Victorious Living Assembly.
When Rev. Philip and Rev. Selvam started pastoring Victorious Living Assembly, the Lord placed in their hearts a vision for mission and evangelism. There was a desire to build a large church, to be faithful and obedient to the call and vision that the Lord had placed upon their lives. Then, others will catch that vision: “THE KEY IS OBEDIENCE AND FAITHFULNESS”. As the Word of God says in Psalm 2:8 “Ask of me and I will make the nations your inheritance and the ends of the earth your possessions”
The Victorious Living Assembly is also currently working with several churches in European Countries, South Africa, Sri Lanka, India, Indonesia, South Pacific Island, Caribbean , Australia and New Zealand.