FAQs (frequently asked questions)
Learn more about our church by reading some of the common questions we are asked. Click on a question and it will take you to the answer. If you have any further questions, visit contact us to submit your question.
What denomination is Victory Baptist Church affiliated?
Victory Baptist is an independent Baptist church and we are not affiliated with a denomination or convention but we do fellowship with other churches of like faith and order. We select and support our own missionaries, leaders, and institutions that believe as we believe. Victory Baptist Church answers only to the headship of Jesus Christ and God's Word. We are Baptist - believing and practicing the historic and Biblical distinctives of Baptists such as: The Bible is our final authority in faith and practice; salvation by faith through grace alone; baptism of believers by immersion; autonomy of the local church; priesthood of all believers; and separation of church and state.
What are your services like?
We come together to hear God’s Word, the Bible, being read and explained and to encourage each other in our faith. The most important thing at Victory Baptist Church is that we follow the Word of God. In relation to that we seek to provide plain Bible preaching and Christ honoring music. The music is always followed by a clear, helpful, and challenging Bible message. Our services last a little more than an hour. The pastor's message in all services is Bible-based and will give you practical ways to apply God's Word to your life. The ultimate aim of this teaching is to show how God can help in day to day living.
When are the services?
Sunday School for all ages is at 10:00 a.m. There's a class for every member of your family.
Sunday service is at 11:00 a.m. You will enjoy singing favorite hymns as well as a helpful message from Pastor Harness. Also in conjunction with the service is children's church for ages 4 through 10.
Sunday evening service begins at 5:00 p.m. Again, in this service you'll enjoy singing favorite hymns as well as a stimulating message from Pastor Harness (completely different from Sunday morning) and another opportunity for fellowship.
Wednesday evening at 7:00 p.m. for a mid-week Bible study and prayer time.
If you can't be our guest on Sunday morning, we hope you'll visit with us during another service. Go to top of page
Where are you located?
We are in Sherwood Park, just South of Wye Road on Range Road 231 (Cloverbar Road turns into Range Road 231 South of Wye Road). For a map, directions and further info on our location visit our location page.
What is available for my children at Victory Baptist Church?
Our church offers a safe, clean, and highly staffed nursery for infants and toddlers for all Sunday services (and most special events). Nursery attendants can easily contact you through an usher if there is a need.
On Sundays there is our Sunday School for all ages at 10:00 am. For children two years old through sixth grade there are fun, friendly, and Bible-centered classes. These classes are staffed with friendly and well-qualified teachers and helpers who will make church exciting and memorable for your child. Adults work with children providing a caring and nurturing influence through biblical and age appropriate teaching. Students seventh grade through college age attend the worship service with their parents.
There is an 11:00 a.m. worship service in the auditorium. We also have Children's church downstairs from age 4 to age 10, where the children learn God's word, as well as character development, memory verses, Christ honoring music and more.
There are additional activities for youth which include a sports and recreation time (when weather permits), teen get together, Vacation Bible School, and various camps.
How should I dress?
There is not a dress code at Victory Baptist Church for members or guests. Our ministry leaders and many of our church family dress in more traditional “Sunday” dress; however, our main goal is that you would feel welcome and comfortable on your visit here at Victory Baptist. We would rather you be here that not at all.
Am I expected to give a donation?
No. We don't invite you to Victory Baptist Church for your offering. We want our service to be a gift to you. We hope you will find in this place a warm family spirit, truth from God's Word, and a place where you can grow in God's grace. Please don't feel any obligation to give an offering as a guest. We do not take up an offering during any of our services. Go to top of page
Do you provide a bus or van service?
Not at this time. If someone requires transportation to any scheduled activity, there are volunteers that can pick you up and bring you to and from the activity.
What does your church believe?
We believe the Bible is God's Word. The Bible for us is a blueprint for Christian living. Additionally, the Bible reveals the God who loves us and with whom we share a vital and personal relationship. We also believe in the necessity of personal faith in Christ. Many people who belong to churches in Canada today were brought up in faith communities that taught that baptizing infants brought them into God’s family and therefore “we are all Christians”. As you read the Bible it becomes very clear that God never said that. All of us are born into this world on the wrong side. The Bible says we are rebels, cut off from God. All religions are man’s attempts to get onto the right side of God. But God has provided one way back to Himself. God became a man, born of the virgin Mary, Jesus Christ, the second Person of the Trinity who came down to this earth as a baby.
It is not are you religious that matters. What matters is whether or not you have made Jesus Christ the Lord and King of your life. In John 14:6, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” In Victory Baptist this would be the central message that we would wish to communicate. Is Jesus Christ your Saviour? Has He forgiven you for all your sins? Have you put your trust in what He did on the Cross, when He took the punishment for your sins? If a person has this experience of personal faith in Christ, we believe that the Scriptures teach that such a person should be baptized. So we practice what we call “Believers” baptism.
We recognize the Bible as our only source of authority. When you read the book of Acts in the New Testament you will discover several things about the Early Church. They met together to listen to the Scriptures being explained, for prayer, and to remember Christ’s death and resurrection (Acts 2:42). These people came voluntarily - not because they had to or out of a sense of duty or guilt, but because they wanted to. Something had happened in their lives that made them want to meet to worship the Risen Christ together. Churches therefore were gatherings of ordinary people who had come into a personal relationship with God. A community of believers.
We do not believe that a building is a church, neither do we believe that everyone who goes to a church necessarily has come to know Jesus Christ in a personal way. Some religion's are all about externals - who sees us in the pew on Sunday morning, what we wear, making sure we are seen to be doing what is right! The gospel or good news as taught by Jesus Christ, the Apostles and the early Church was that it is the internal that really matters! We need a change of heart! Therefore, the true church of Jesus Christ is made up of individuals who have trusted in Jesus Christ and who are following Him. It is impossible to mark these people out externally, but we believe that such people will want to meet with others who believe the same things and gather together to hear God’s Word being read and explained, to pray and to sing God’s praise.
We remember our Saviour’s death on the Cross. We believe that Jesus died “once for all” when He died upon the Cross. We also believe (Acts 1:11) that Jesus will come back to take us to heaven to be with Himself. The Bible clearly states there is a huge crowd in heaven which no one can number (Hebrews 12:1). Not all people in heaven will be Baptist (and not all who call themselves Baptists will be there either). All who are there will be individuals who, while alive on this earth, came to God’s saving grace through Jesus Christ.
For a more detailed examination of our beliefs visit Constitution and Statement of Faith.
How can I become a member of Victory Baptist Church?
Acts 2:41 says to become a member of a New Testament Church like Victory Baptist you must be saved by receiving Christ as Saviour, and baptized by immersion as a public profession of faith in Christ. You should get to know us before becoming a member, by attending our services and participating in various church sponsored activities. If you have already been saved and baptized in a church of like-faith and practice, and would like to join Victory Baptist, please schedule an appointment with Pastor Harness.
What is baptism?
One of the main things that distinguishes Baptists from other churches is that we do not baptize babies. We only baptize individuals who by their own choice have entered into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and have come to know Him as their Lord and Saviour.
People in the New Testament were baptized to demonstrate that they had become followers of Jesus. Baptisms usually took place in a river, in the sea or a large pool! Today, some Baptist churches have indoor pools or tanks. There is nothing holy or magical about the water, nothing happens to the person getting baptized. It is simply an outward way of demonstrating what has happened on the inside.
Can anyone have a wedding at the church building?
The church building is available for weddings to any member who has demonstrated a commitment to the family of God and an intention to maintain a Godly marriage through Jesus.
Frequently Asked Questions about VBC
