Pastor Johnnie Lee Jr. B.B.S., M.A./CE Founder & Senior Pastor Victory in Jesus Evangelistic Center Church
Pastor Johnnie Lee Jr. is a native Houstonian who was raised in a Christian home and developed an early foundation of faith while attending New Zion Temple Church under the leadership of the late Bishop H. W. Falls. His personal commitment to Christ came in 1979 after attending two years at Lon Morris College in Jacksonville, Texas.
After returning to Houston and working as a Senior Computer Operator for Dresser Industries, Inc., Pastor Lee sensed God’s call upon his life. In 1980 he answered the call to ministry while attending Pentecostal Temple C.O.G.I.C. under the leadership of the late Pastor Lemuel Paul Tillman Sr. It was there that he was licensed and preached his first sermon in July 1981.
Five years later, Pastor Lee moved his membership and became a member of House of Deliverance Revival Center Church under the leadership of Pastor Eddie McKelvey Sr. During his time there, he faithfully served and continued growing in grace, knowledge, and spiritual maturity. While serving at HODRC in ministry, he received a second call from the Lord—this time to pastoral leadership.
In October 1989, stepping out in faith and obedience, Pastor Lee founded Victory in Jesus Evangelistic Center Church and was ordained. The ministry began humbly in the family room of his home, where a small group gathered to worship and study God’s Word. From those early beginnings, the church has grown into a thriving ministry committed to biblical teaching, community outreach, and spiritual development.
Understanding the importance of sound biblical training, Pastor Lee furthered his education at the College of Biblical Studies in Houston, Texas, where he earned a Bachelor of Biblical Studies degree. He graduated with highest honors and was selected as the student class speaker in 2002. Continuing his commitment to lifelong learning and leadership development, he later attended Dallas Theological Seminary, where he earned a Master of Arts in Christian Education (M.A./CE) in 2007, with a minor in Church Administration Leadership.
Today, Pastor Lee serves as the Senior Pastor and Bible Expositor at Victory in Jesus Evangelistic Center Church (VIJEC) and as Executive Director of Triumph Christian Academy. In addition to leading his congregation, he mentors pastors and leaders involved in church planting and ministry development throughout the Houston area. He also previously served for two years as a Regent on the Board of the College of Biblical Studies in Houston.
With a heart for community transformation, Pastor Lee has led the Victory church family in expanding its outreach to the surrounding neighborhoods of Southwest Houston. Under his leadership, the ministry successfully completed its first million-dollar community development project—the 11,110-square-foot Victory Community Center. This facility houses Triumph Christian Academy (TCA), an Early Childcare Development Center that provides infant care and early childhood education for toddlers and pre-kindergarten students. The center also offers banquet and meeting space, youth activities, and a welcoming environment where individuals and families can gather for fellowship, worship, and the teaching of God’s Word.
Pastor Lee is also an author. His first book, Designing, Implementing and Maintaining an Administrative Model for the Church, serves as a research workbook designed to help start-up churches establish effective administrative structures for ministry growth. In addition, he is the CEO and Founder of Empowerment Enterprises LLC, a leadership and consulting initiative that equips organizations and ministries with practical tools for development and impact.
Pastor Lee’s life and ministry are deeply rooted in his devotion to family. Over his 44 years in ministry, including 37 years in pastoral leadership, his greatest earthly blessing has been his home. He has been happily married to his beloved wife, Debra, for 43 years, and together they have raised three children who faithfully serve in ministry alongside the church: Chelsea, Director of Triumph Christian Academy and Worship Leader; Lante, Campus Facility Manager; and Gary.
Pastor Lee remains passionately committed to preaching and teaching the Word of God, equipping believers for spiritual growth, and serving the Houston community with faith, vision, and compassion. The identity and driving theme of the church flows from 1 Corinthians 15:57–58, inspiring the ministry motto: “WE WIN.”
Win at Life When You Let God Lead You!
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