Leaky Basement
The story of Victory begins at the basement of a rundown movie theater along CM Recto Avenue. While it had leaking sewer pipes overhead, it did seat a few hundred students sardine style. Most importantly, it was at the heart of the University Belt, the largest concentration of colleges and universities in the Philippines.
Located just 2 kilometers away from the Malacanang Palace, it was the epicenter of anti-Marcos student demonstrations. Hundreds of student demonstrators were herded down into the basement as they fled for cover from the anti-riot police’s tear gas. It was there that they heard a different message for the first time in their lives – the life changing, nation building message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!
A leaky basement, thousands of hungry students, political turmoil, and an economic crisis are not the factors one looks for to plant a church. In the hands of God, it proved to be the perfect mix from which to launch a world changing movement.