The History of VBI

Holy Spirit Directed

During the 70s, several nationally-known ministries gave a word to Pastor Billy Joe Daugherty from Isaiah 54:2-3: "Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen your stakes; "For you will break forth on the right hand and on the left: and your seed shall inherit the Gentiles, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited."


VBI was birthed as a result in September 1979 blending biblical excellence with anointed Christian living, under the
pastorate of Billy Joe and Sharon Daugherty. The charter class of 1979-80 graduated 42 students with the leadership of Tim O’Leary, the first director.


Historical Growth

VBI has grown steadily over the 29 year history of the school. Last year more than 500 students attended VBI. Students
learn to hear God’s voice through a choice of four programs of study: School of Ministry, School of Worship, Victory Kidz School of Ministry and School of Arts and the Media. Practical training through Christian service in the various
departments of the student’s local church is a vital component of the VBI educational experience. VBI originally began as a one-year certificate program with 24 classes offered both in the daytime and again in the evening.


In 1982, a second-year Intern Student Program began for selected students who were called to the five-fold ministry. While most VBI students enrolled for personal enrichment and restoration, these students were those who were also called to active ministry as pastors, traveling ministers, missionaries or Bible school directors.


In 1991, VBI started a new discipleship program called “In Ministry Training” under the leadership of Keith Wheeler. IMT is designed for single students from 18 - 25 years of age who are pursuing full-time ministry. It is a program based on discipleship, evangelism and missions to establish young men and women in the lifestyle of Jesus Christ and to instill in them a vision for the world. IMT students attend VBI classes in the mornings and participate in various types of ministry and have teaching and fellowship times in the afternoons and evenings. The program has experienced steady enrollment growth since its inception.


In September of 1996, VBI 2 was re-structured to follow the same time format as VBI 1. Heavier emphasis on practical ministry education and training has been engrafted into the 36 courses that comprise the program.


VBI opened its on-site library and “Signs and Wonders Resource Center” in the 1996-97 school year.


In September 1998 the Worship courses were founded to train worship leaders and worship teams to spread the Gospel
and build up believers through praise and worship. Victory World Missions Training Center also became a VBI program, no longer a separate entity. In 1998 a summer session was added.


In August 1999 the Preschool, Children and Youth, now called Victory Kidz, program was initiated to develop leadership in this critical area in the body of Christ. This same year, the Spirit-Led Business program was added. The Biblical Studies name was changed to Practical Ministry.


In 2000, the Preschool, Children and Youth program was changed to Victory Kidz School of Ministry. 2001 found the summer session discontinued for the 2001-2002 academic year. And, in 2002, the Spirit Led Business was discontinued after 1st Quarter.


In 2004, a third year intern student program, VBI 3 was added. In 2004-2005, on-line registration and Faculty Access to the Web site were implemented to better facilitate faculty and student services.


In 2006, Fellowship One attendance tracking was implemented. In 2007, Victory Bible Institute and Victory World Missions Training Center became separate entities and the School of
Creative Media and the Arts was added to VBI.


In 2008, Victory Bible Institute moved from 1400 E. Skelly Drive to 2702 E. 81st Street due to the expansion of Interstate-44 and the razing of the old VBI Building.


In May 2009, Victory Bible Institute became fully accredited by the Association of Independent Christian Colleges and Seminaries.