Pastor Leonard Sissons
Pastor Leonard Sissons is our founding pastor and the only pastor we have had since our start over 25 years ago in 1984.
He was born in Meeker, Oklahoma and was raised in the country with three brothers and four sisters in a small two bedroom home. Needless to say there was little room inside so they spent much of their time outdoors.
His father was known for growing fresh produce and had one time grown and entered a 125 pound watermelon in the county fair. It won first prize but they never had a chance to eat any of it because that night it was stolen. It wasn't funny then but its something they laugh about now.
Growing up his family lived off the land by farming, hunting, fishing, and selling pecans for extra money.
In his childhood his mother sent the kids to a local Baptist church but neither of the parents went regularly. It was not until much later in life that his father even accepted the Lord.
Leonard was saved when he was a teenager and realized then that God was calling him to be a pastor. He met his wife Lucinda in his early 20's and they were married in 1968. About this time he attended Bible College in Nebraska and joined Bro. Baker's Church who then became a close friend and mentor to the young couple.
In 1970 they had their first child and a second in 1973.
He then graduated and after a few years went to serve with Bro. Brown for six years in Grand Prairie Texas. During his stay he got involved with the Awana program and served as its Texas/Oklahoma Missionary. He also learned roofing as a trade and began his own roofing company.
In 1977 they had their third child. They were hoping for a Rebecca but got a Mark instead.
Leonard knew he was serving God but he also knew that he was not serving in the way God had called him. He was not in God's perfect will but God knew just how to get him to go in the direction that He wanted him to go. One day, when Leonard was going to measure a roof, he was climbing a ladder it gave way and landed him flat on his back. It was here that he said, "Okay God, I'm ready to do your will."
He was rushed to the hospital and was told that he had damaged his back and might never walk again. He told God, "If you want me in a wheel chair, I will serve you in a Wheel chair." The Doctors told him what signs to look for if he wouldn't be able to walk and just as they said the signs started coming early that evening. However, God had given a church member a heavy burden to pray for him and late that night the signs were gone and Pastor Sissons has been able to walk up to this day!
Bro. Sissons Pastored his first church in Spring Town, Texas for six months and then went on to his second church in Midland, Texas. These churches prepared him for the plan God had for him next.
About this time God Started to put a burden on his heart for Midwest City, Oklahoma because at this time there were no Fundamental Baptist Churches in the town. The Sissons moved to Midwest City in 1983 and rented a small Building off of SE 15th Street and had their first church service. From that first Sunday in October 1983 the church slowly grew and God continued to work and bless it. After a lot of hard work and dedication from the small family and the new members, God blessed the new church with a building and land to grow on Main Street, which was dedicated on February 5th 1984.
Today Pastor Sissons is still pastoring and serving God at Victory Baptist Temple. Under his leadership we are still growing and serving the community with the truths of God's Word.