Senior Pastor Melvin A. Jenkins was born and raised in suburban Philadelphia, PA and from an early age took a strong interest in the church and gospel music.  Before he completed high school, he was an active musician and was involved with a number of local gospel groups.

At Penn State University, during his pursuit of a B.A. degree in Liberal Arts, Pastor Jenkins received the Call to the Ministry.  He was later ordained and eventually promoted to Assistant Pastor of Unity Church of Jesus Christ in State College, PA under Bishop Gerald Loyd.  Some years later, the Lord moved him and his family to Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) where he received an M.A. degree in Higher Education.   It was there he also founded the IUP Voices of Joy gospel choir and Victory Christian Assembly.  Pastor Jenkins now holds a doctorate in Developmental Education from Grambling State University, and is a faculty member at IUP.

Under his leadership as Senior Pastor, Victory Christian Assembly has continued to grow steadily since 1990. Pastor Jenkins has also traveled extensively, singing and preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  The Lord has given him tremendous insight into the Word, and a unique style that make his sermons practical and enlightening.

He has been married since 1977 to the former Lael McClendon.  They are parents of two adult daughters, Melyssa Lael and Jasmine Laura.

"And he gave some apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ"    Ephesians 4:11-12
 

In 1988, Pastor Jenkins and Elder Hanson began Bible Studies which alternated between their two homes in Indiana, PA.  Before these meetings ultimately formed into Sunday fellowships in the Hadley Union Building (IUP's student union), Brother David was developing ministry outreach at the Unity Church of Johnstown.  During the spring of 1990, Pastor Jenkins' job bound him to work on Friday evenings.  He asked Brother David to take over  Bible Studies; as a result Brother David's teaching ministry was developed.

Elder Hanson's servant-hood is like no other.  Although he is well placed in the five fold ministry, he is not unfamiliar to helping student and community members move couches, driving the church van faithfully each week and countless other hands-on, behind the scenes ministry building.  David said, "My desire is to know the Lord more and to experience God's blessings as a result of relationship."  Elder Hanson desires to lead others into this fullness too.  He is married to his lovely wife, Jackie, and the proud father of 4 children. 

"But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you" (NIV)