Church celebrates 11th anniversary of Apostle Tanaka Gates as its pastor
Victorious Life International Inc. celebrated the 11th anniversary of Apostle Tanaka Gates as pastor of the church.
Located at 1830 NE Second St., Victorious Life International was founded by Gates in 2011, and was previously known as Victory and Deliverance Life Changing Ministries Inc.
The vision of the ministry is to equip and teach the people of God how to embrace victorious living and advance the Lord's kingdom.
In March 2017, Gates was appointed and consecrated as an apostle.
“I appreciate all the love they showed me throughout the years,” Gates said Sunday during a service to end her anniversary celebration. “I’ve been dealing with the death of my sister, my husband, my grandmother and members of the church. 2021 has left a mark in my soul but I am here by the grace of God.”
The four-day celebration began on Thursday and ended on Sunday.
“God has held it all together,” Gates said. “I thank you all for your sacrifice. Keep me lifted up in prayer.”
The service began with an opening prayer from Shronda Allen.
“We pray that your presence reign in this place,” Allen said. “We command that everything that’s not like you to leave here.”
The opening prayer was followed by Bonita Robinson who welcomed parishioners to the celebration.
“We have an opportunity to come together in unity,” Robinson said. “We give praise to the woman (Gates) who has stood by the Lord and this church for 11 years.”
Keyunna Major proceeded to read Jeremiah 23 and the V-Life choir sang several hymns.
The Atmosphere Shifters performed two liturgical dance routines. The first performance was from three girls between the ages of four and seven years old. The second performance was three girls who painted half of their faces with white paint and were in their adolescence and teenage years.
“No matter what happens, I will always praise him,” said Evangelist Vanessa Hutchinson, who presided over the service.
The Rev. Dr. Marie Herring delivers sermon
Minister Reshone Flanders of DaySpring Baptist Church introduced the the Rev. Dr. Marie Herring, who was guest speaker during the service.
Herring read Luke 22:31-32: “And the Lord said, ‘Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.’”
“There are many of us who can confess that we came through hell and high water,” Herring said. “If it had not been for God guiding our steps, we would not be here.”
Herring said struggle can shape you to be a stronger person.
“Sometimes God picks us to be picked on,” Herring said. “When you are suffering, what God is doing is exposing you to another dimension of his grace. He challenges us to endure. To get the best out of you, you need to go through some challenges.”
Herring preached about how God is always on one’s side during hardships.
“While the devil is undermining, God is undergirding,” Herring said. “A good prayer beats a good plot any day. God cares about your faith. Without faith, it is impossible to please God.”
Herring said believers can overcome any struggle because they are connected to a survivor — Jesus Christ.
“He was crucified to show you how he suffered and how he got through,” Herring said. “You can survive the hell you’re going through. Turn it over to Jesus, he can work it out.”
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Church celebrates 11th anniversary of Apostle Tanaka Gates as pastor
