Our Pastors
Pastors Doug & Jeri Bankson are the Founding Senior Pastors of Victory Church World Outreach Center. With a heart for souls and a deep desire to see the lost come to God, Pastors Doug and Jeri have served faithfully for over 15 years, reaching out to both our local community, as well as to the nations!
The Early Years
Born in Pasadena, California, Pastor Douglas Michael Bankson grew up traveling and singing with his father Roger Bankson, along with his mother and five siblings. Entering into adulthood, Pastor Doug moved to Sioux City, Iowa, becoming the youth pastor at Cornerstone World Outreach where he served faithfully for 10 years under Pastors Larry and Eileen Gordon. It was there in Sioux City where he met his lovely wife Jeri Lynn Pedersen, a Sioux City native, and in the spring of 1987 they were married.
Shortly thereafter, Pastors Doug and Jeri began a family together with the arrival of their firstborn son Benjamin Jonathan Bankson, followed by their second son Joseph David Bankson.
It was during these early years that the Lord began impressing on the hearts of both of our pastors that they were to begin a church. This leading was confirmed by many ministers of the Gospel and it was clear that God had a plan in mind. So in 1993, with two small children and one on the way, Pastors Doug and Jeri packed their belongings and moved to Apopka, FL.
After moving to Apopka, Pastor Doug and his family first began by traveling and singing with his twin Brothers Jeffrey Arthur Bankson and Joseph Allen Bankson, along with their families. In 1994, Pastor Doug and Jeri’s third child, Michael Jeffrey Joshua was born. In 1995 Pastor Jeri gave birth to their fourth and final child, Victoria Nicole Bankson.
It was during this time that the Lord began moving on their hearts that the time had come to start the church. So on September 10th, 1995 Victory Church, or rather, Life Outreach Center was born. Full church history coming soon…
Our Pastors Today
Along with his pastoral ministry, Pastor Doug is a pilot, certified scuba diver, and also an accomplished songwriter and musician having received an Addy Award for singing on the radio. Pastor Doug has ministered powerfully in 49 states and 11 foreign nations. Pastor Doug is also involved in our local community having served as the President of the Apopka Ministerial Alliance and the Chairman of the Apopka City Chamber of Commerce.
Pastor Jeri graduated from Rhema Bible Training Center in 1987. After graduating she immediately began serving with her husband in ministry at Cornerstone Faith Center in Sioux City, Iowa. During this time, Pastor Jeri owned and operated a successful hair salon, but in the fall of 1992 the Lord called her into a different “laying on of hands” ministry. Relocating to Central Florida, she traveled with her husband Doug across the U.S. and Canada ministering until 1995 when they co-founded Victory Church World Outreach Center where she serves as a co-pastor.