Our History

Victory in Christ Kingdom Church (formerly Elim Christian Church) was birthed into the spirit of Pastor Eric Susberry in 1984 via a dream. During a course of eight years God began to speak to Pastor Eric about the ministry. He received two more dreams and a vision of God placing a mantel on his shoulders. The Lord gave Pastor Eric the name Elim Christian Church which means a place of refreshing (Exodus 15:23-27).

In 1992, a series of prayer meetings were held in the Pastor’s home with the people that God called out of other ministries to help launch this church. On July 1, 1992, We held our first Wednesday night bible study. The Word of the Lord came to Pastor Eric saying, “Tell your father you’re going to start a church”. 

In that same year, on August 13, Pastor Eric A. Susberry and Pastor Caren F. Susberry were ordained into the ministry by Pastor Al Smith of Faith Tabernacle Church. By September 6, 1992, the bible study had become a church of about fifty members. The church started Sunday Worship in October of 1992. Some of the original members include the Patterson Family, the Pamon Family, the Townsend Family, the Horne Family, the Fletcher Family, the Bowen Family, Willa Pamon, Sis Jannell Dennison, Ramona Susberry, Monica Scott, Adolph Brown, Yolanda Hill, Brenda Morris, Corrine Hand, Naomi Payne, Pat, Eric and Craig Thomas, Tara Collins and Tracy Mansfield. 

On April 25, 1993, the congregation moved its services to 1617 W. 99th Street. The church began to grow in numbers and the anointing. Ministries were birthed in our midst, such as: a children’s ministry, a youth ministry, a marriage ministry, intercessory prayer group, men’s bible study and a praise team.

In the fall of 1994, we began having services at 1917 W. 93rd Street. We were at this location for approximately four and half years and we were able to get established as a ministry. The congregation grew rapidly and steadily. Many souls were saved and many miracles happened. As the church increased, the ministries increased. Newly formed ministries included beautification, bookstore, dance, choir, sound system, puppet, nursery, men’s prayer meeting, tape ministry, women’s ministry, and kindness ministry. It was at this location that Pastor Eric and Pastor Caren performed their first wedding. In the year 1999, we became a part of the Macedonian Ministries under the leadership of Pastor John Cherry. However, this affiliation was terminated in December of 2001. In July 2000, Pastor Eric Susberry licensed his first minister, Martie Susberry.

In May 2001, we moved to Bethany Union at 1750 W. 103rd Street. The church continued to grow. God added to our membership steadily to over 200. Our staff grew to five and our ministry team grew with four additional ministers being licensed in August 2001; Ministers Janice Pamon, Wendy Patterson, Eddie Johnson and Jannell Dennison was licensed in 2004 bringing our total to five licensed ministers. We found a church for sale at 104th and Racine Avenue where we moved into temporarily with the hope of purchasing. We worshipped two Sunday at the Holiday Inn on 95th and Pulaski. Then February 2002, the Lord opened up rental space for us at the Barnard Elementary School located at 10354 Charles where we tabernacle until April 23, 2003 WHEN WE PURCHASED OUR PRESENT LOCATION, 2735 W. 79th Street, Chicago, IL 60652.

Since serving at our present location, We have grown to become a vital part of the community. Under the leadership of Pastor Eric Susberry, the church continues to enlarge its territory through community outreach programs like: Hallelujah Night (our alternative option to Halloween), Easter & Christmas Plays, Vacation Bible School, the Youth Rally, our New Year’s Eve Talent Show, and Thanksgiving food drives–as well as other outreach opportunities including a four-day live production of “Heaven’s Gates Hell’s Flames” . Pastor Susberry received a letter from the Ward’s Alderman acknowledging the church as a valued asset to the community. People from the neighborhood have embraced the church and many families have become members.

In 2017 Pastor Eric received a Word from the Lord to change the name of the church. So, in October 2017 Elim Christian Church officially became Victory in Christ Kingdom Church.