Victory In Praise Church has been a fixture on Stockton's Eastside for three decades, gathering nearly 700 people each week at its campus on East Harding Way under the banner of "Praise, Purpose, and Prayer." What started as a kitchen-table Bible study in 1995 has grown into a multi-ethnic, non-denominational congregation with thirty-four active ministries, a coffee shop, a community theater, and a role as the founding church of the Visionaries Pursuing Excellence network of affiliated congregations.
From a Home Bible Study to a Stockton Staple
VIP's story began on a summer evening at an outdoor concert in Graceda Park, Modesto. Rufus and Trena Turner were singing with their gospel group, Heirs to the Throne, when a stranger approached them with a prophetic word: God was calling them to plant a church in Stockton. The call was confirmed weeks later during a season of fasting, when Rufus received a vision for a large, diverse congregation with no pulpit thrones, a balcony, and a worship atmosphere alive with light.
On January 1, 1995, the couple opened their home for the first Bible study. The group soon outgrew the living room and moved into a converted office building at 808 Center Street, where no more than thirty people could squeeze in. By 1998, the congregation had grown to seventeen committed adults and a host of children, enough to purchase their first dedicated building at 2842 Country Club Boulevard. Outreach programs such as Adopt-a-Block, Hope Dealers, and ENJ (Everybody Needs Jesus) launched from that location, and the church became a recognized presence in the neighborhood.
Growth continued, and in time Associate Pastor Tylos Jackson Jr. was sent out to plant Victory In Praise Church of Modesto - VIP's first church plant. Other ministers followed, and the pastors serving under Bishop Rufus unanimously elevated him to the office of Bishop, formalizing Visionaries Pursuing Excellence (VPE) as a covenant network of churches under his covering.
A defining test came in 2014, when Bishop Turner challenged the board to sell the Country Club Boulevard property and step into a new season. Within two weeks, a cash buyer appeared, but the building VIP had hoped to move into fell through after contingencies were removed, leaving a congregation of nearly six hundred people without a home. Local businessman Julius Smith offered the church free use of a former school on Rosemarie Lane for eighteen months - a season the leadership describes as miraculous. The current campus at 2029 East Harding Way opened in 2016.
The Pastoral Lineage
Bishop Rufus K. Turner, M.Div., and Lady Trena Turner are now honored as Emeritus Pastors after decades of ministry. Bishop Turner, an accomplished musician and author of A Shepherd's View, and Lady Trena, an ordained Elder, Summa Cum Laude graduate of American InterContinental University, speaker, justice advocate, and author of Sleeping With The Bishop, built the foundation that the current generation continues to build upon.
The church is now led by Senior Pastor Trent D. Washington Sr. and First Lady Tanji Washington. Born in Houston and raised in the Baptist tradition, Pastor Trent formally answered his call to ministry in 2002 and went on to serve as Senior Pastor of Galatians Community Church beginning in 2003. Mentored by Bishop Turner, he holds a Bachelor's Degree in Theology from SUM Bible College and stepped into the Associate Pastor role at VIP in October 2024. Lady Tanji focuses on women's ministry, discipleship, prayer, and community outreach, and together the Washingtons - parents of five - coach youth football and cheer and lead the Godspeed Track & Field Team.
Sunday Mornings at 9:00 AM
Morning worship begins every Sunday at 9:00 AM in the Worship Center and is livestreamed on YouTube for those joining from home. The sanctuary is set up for a contemporary, gospel-rooted experience, supported by a full Worship Team, the Anointed Hands Dance ministry, and the VIP Stockton Drama team. Children's Church runs concurrently for ages 3 to 12 in the CDC Classrooms, and Teen's Church gathers in the Teen Sanctuary for ages 13 to 18.
Bishop's Brew Coffee House opens on the campus Monday through Saturday from 7:00 AM to 2:00 PM, and again on Sundays before and after the service - a place to grab a drink, meet the hospitality team, and linger after the benediction.
Bible Study by Day, Small Groups by Evening
VIP takes seriously the rhythm of midweek study. Wednesday evenings at 7:00 PM bring the in-person Bible Study to the VIP Theatre, while Thursday nights at 6:00 PM connect online participants through a Google Meet link. The teaching staff supports both gatherings, and a School of Prophets small community trains members in hearing and delivering the word.
Beyond those two anchor studies, the church runs ten named small groups meeting six days a week in person and online. Potlucking For Jesus gathers on Monday evenings, Tuesday Tea at Noon is led by Lady Trena, and Golden Glory serves seniors on Wednesdays at lunchtime. The Journey group meets online Monday nights for adults ages 28 to 40, while French Quarters reaches single women on Tuesday evenings, and Coffee Together starts Thursday at 5:30 AM. The From Loss2Life grief support group meets Saturday mornings online, and Newness Of Life hosts a Celebrate Recovery-style program as part of the church's recovery ministry.
The Six Departments
VIP organizes its ministries around six "M Departments," each led by a director:
Maturity, led by Elder Jayme Jordan, focuses on spiritual growth through Bible reading, study, prayer, fellowship, small groups, service, and stewardship. It oversees the Beyond The Veil Prayer Team, the Teaching Staff, the School of Prophets, and Small Group ministry.
Magnification, under Kevin Rious, exists to glorify God through worship, music, media, and the creative arts. Its teams include Anointed Hands Dance, the Worship Team, the VIP Ushers, and VIP Stockton Drama.
Ministry, directed by Nakia Breckenridge, helps members discover their gifts and step into roles that fit who they are. Its teams include Hospitality, Men of Valor, VIP Young Adults, Finance, Life In The Season, Newness Of Life, Greater Health Network, Living Single, and SWV.
Membership, led by Liugalua Mafi, guides newcomers through the membership process, sponsors small groups for fellowship, and coordinates baptisms and baby dedications.
Missions, under Elder Tara Hopkins, mobilizes the congregation outward. Its crews include Helping Hands, the Street Team, and VIP Social Justice.
Marketing, directed by Tenyiah Washington, shares the church's story online and offline through the Audio Visual Team, CAMEO, Pillars, and Teen Scene.
Reaching Stockton Outside the Walls
Outreach sits at the center of VIP's identity. A Food Pantry distributes food on the second and fourth Thursday of every month. Helping Hands serves the community on the third Sunday at 1:30 PM. The "Perhaps Today" Clothing & Assistance Programs and a Women's Shelter Support ministry meet practical needs, while From Loss2Life offers grief support and counseling. The Newness Of Life Celebrate Recovery program addresses addiction, and an Outreach and Services ministry walks alongside those experiencing homelessness.
Beyond Stockton, VIP supports missions through its membership in the VPE network, and the annual VPE Conference draws members to Kansas City for teaching and connection.
The Campus on East Harding Way
Today's 2029 East Harding Way campus was designed for ministry from the parking lot in. The Worship Center seats the main congregation; a community theater with a full green room hosts Wednesday Bible Study and other events; the Community Development Center houses a state-of-the-art kitchen, classrooms for adult and youth programs, a lactation room, two conference rooms, and a full-size gymnasium. Bishop's Brew Coffee House anchors the social life of the campus, and office space supports the directors and ministries.
What VIP Believes
VIP's vision is to be a place of praise, purpose, and prayer. The church affirms discipleship, outreach, and a community where everyone belongs, welcoming people regardless of past or struggles. Members are encouraged to come as they are. The mission is to transform lives in Stockton and beyond, and the strategy is to live out that mission through dynamic worship, biblical teaching, small group connection, ministry service, and outward missions.
Joining the VIP Family
Anyone curious about membership is invited to attend a Sunday service, meet with the Membership Intake Coordinator, and complete a four-part class series - Class 101 (Discovering Church Membership), Class 201 (Developing Spiritual Maturity), Class 301 (Discovering Your Ministry), and Class 401 (Discovering Your Mission). Classes meet in person on the first and third Sundays at 11:00 AM and online on the first and third Tuesdays at 6:00 PM, with a graduation celebration during a Sunday service.
Online visitors can text "Join #VipOnline" to (209) 518-0220, comment during the livestream, or fill out the Online Connection Form to begin the same journey from home.
What to Expect on a First Visit
The church's tagline is "Come as you are - we've saved a seat just for you," and that tone carries through every touchpoint. Children age 3 through 12 can be checked into Children's Church, and teens have their own space in the Teen Sanctuary. Parking is available on campus, and Bishop's Brew Coffee House is open before and after the service for a warm welcome. Those who want to prepare ahead can use the Plan Your Visit page on the church's online home.