Pastoral Leadership

The Reverend Jeffrey W. Jones is the esteemed Pastor of World Victory Church & Life Center. Recently, Reverend Jones retired from his executive position at Bank of America after an impressive 44-year career in banking. A devoted member of World Victory for forty years, he participated in various ministry and leadership roles before responding to God’s call to the preaching ministry later in his life. He was licensed to preach in 2004 and ordained in 2008. That same year, he earned his Master of Divinity degree from the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University, where his peers elected him as Theologue President for three years. Prior to his role as Pastor, Pastor Jeff served as the Associate Pastor of World Victory for thirteen years before taking on the pastoral leadership in 2021. He is married to the lovely Sheila Diggs Jones, and together they exemplify a vital aspect of the life of the local church. There is a well-known wisdom in the Black church tradition stating that two key roles a healthy church should not have to seek outside for are a pastor and a music director. Often, God has already placed these individuals within the congregation—serving, growing, learning, and being prepared until their appointed time. This is a significant part of the Joneses’ journey, as Sheila Diggs Jones serves as the home-grown Music Director of World Victory, while Reverend Jeffrey W. Jones fulfills his role as the home-grown Pastor. Both were already present in the church community, undergoing preparation, and in God's perfect timing, both were called to serve the church that played a crucial role in their development.

Reverend Craig L. Burgess, the son of Mr. and Mrs. King R. Burgess, is the second oldest in a family of three siblings: Cynthia, Anissa, and Chenoa. A native of Lake City, South Carolina, Reverend Burgess graduated from Lake City High School in 1986. He chose to serve his country by enlisting in the United States National Guard from 1986 to 1987 and continued his duty in the United States Navy until 1997. Reverend Burgess married Susie McKenzie Burgess on March 11, 1991, and they now reside in Newport News, Virginia, with their three adult children. From 1988 to 1992, Reverend Burgess felt a profound calling. After a period of running from this calling, he submitted to God on February 22, 1992, accepting Jesus as his personal Lord and Savior. Over the years, his relationship with the Lord has deepened significantly, and his faith walk was further strengthened when he was licensed to preach at Holy Tabernacle Church of Deliverance in 2004. He became fully ordained on May 30, 2010, at World Victory Church and Life Center, where Reverend Jeffrey W. Jones serves as a key figure. Despite facing challenges in his journey as a Believer, Reverend Burgess views his experiences as nothing short of amazing. In October 2007, he opened the doors to Craig’s Barber Shop in Newport News, Virginia. He serves as an Associate Minister at World Victory Church and has been a dedicated member since January 2009. Reverend Burgess holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Saint Leo University and a Master's degree in Divinity from the School of Theology at Virginia Union University. His life is a testament to what God can accomplish and where He can lead us. Reverend Burgess believes that if God can perform miracles in his life, He can do the same for anyone. He considers it a privilege to be a child and servant of the True and Living God.

Father God, we come before you first, giving thanks for placing Reverend Jeffrey W. Jones and Reverend Craig L. Burgess at World Victory Church and Life Center as pastor and minister. They answered a call that is by no means easy, but you knew their hearts and their path. We witness daily their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and their love for the congregation of World Victory Church and beyond. So we ask that you continue to give them the spirit of wisdom and understanding so they may know you better. We pray that they will always have a passion to know you intimately and to spread that passion to others as preachers, teachers, mentors, counselors, role models, servants, and friends of God! Strengthen and protect them and their wives and families in their trials; fill them with joy and peace as they trust in you. Almighty God, equip them with everything good for doing your will, and bless them abundantly for the work they do in your name! And Father, let us as members of World Victory Church, and people of God, always remember to keep them in our prayers, support them, love them, and pray for their unfailing strength in our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ! Amen. Romans 1:11-12, James 1:5, 2 Timothy 1:14