Moses was constantly in contact with God directly.  Interceding on behalf of the people, inquiring as to God's will and providing the vision and motivation to continue to move toward God's promises.  Yet, the people constantly challenged Moses.  While Moses was on the mountain in council with Almighty God, Aaron and the people were crafting a graven image of the golden calf.  In Numbers 16:1-40, Korah and 250 princes challenged Mose's leadership, authority and connection to God.  The earth opened up and swallowed the entire group.  Numbers 21:5 And the people Spake against God, and against Moses, wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness?  for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread.  Rather than being grateful for the provision they had, they challenged both God and Moses and "the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died".  Moses then had them fashion a fiery serpent of brass to be put on a pole and if one was bitten and beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.

Pastors and ministers, just like Moses, are people too.  They are connected to God in a very close fashion, greater than most, yet Romans 3:23 reminds us "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;".  Pastors see things the people don't see, just as Moses did.  Our vision went beyond the turquoise and pink worship space and county fair dance platform to neutral walls, ambient lighting, carpeted lower platforms and musical instruments to worship God.  Next the platform full of musicians and praise singers to usher in the presence of God.  Then carpet and altar space where we can come and weep and rejoice in the presence of a Holy God!  Later, a store house fully prepared to build a temple for God on land the church owns.  "Where there is no vision, the people perish".

Recently we outreached in the local community, and we gave out balloons with the church logo.  I know many people thought, that's a lame idea and who wants a balloon?  At the end of the evening, you could look across the square with over 1000 people and see hundreds of Victory Church balloons floating above the crowd.  We simply wanted to give something away that people could identify the church with this time it was balloons and as people looked, they began to see the vision, a glimpse of what could be.

Pastors and Pastor's wives, ministers are not perfect.  Moses wasn't perfect and stuttered and had killed a man.  We are all sinners and fall short.  But please know, in spite of it all, your Pastor and First Lady seek the will of God in all things and try to do that which is best for the congregation and the church to reach the mission field of Springfield, TN.  We pray, we fast, we seek the will of God in all things, and we present them to you in the best way we know how, sometimes it requires us to make unpopular decisions.  My ask is simply this, pray for us.  Know that we pray for you all each and every day and we pray for our city and our county.  Send forth the laborers that the harvest may be plentiful.  In parting, let me leave you with a scripture that rests on my heart almost every day.... Philippians 4:11

"Not that I speak in respect of want; for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content".  Let us not murmur over our own opinions but work together to grow the kingdom of God in one accord.  May the Lord of all creation bless you today and keep you safe in His loving arms, until we meet again.

The first lady was diagnosed with MS, the COVID 19 Pandemic hit, our contract fell through on a property and we moved Victory Church into our home for several years.  God has always told us that Robertson County was where He desired our work to be and we held onto that hope knowing that God always makes good on His promises.  So we labored, we prayed, we invited, we worshipped and we made the best of things to honor God.  God has finally provided and before I tell you what, let me tell you how.  He addressed all the physical needs, Vanderbilt Neurology took care of our first lady, Sis Tiffanie Pilcher; Our house was big enough for a few years; God brought people in as He saw fit and we grew to a point that we knew it was His timing to leave.  So, I posted on facebook in the Robertson County pages that we were looking for a new place to Worship.  

We were offered several places and some looked pretty good, others didn't respond and we were disheartened until we met Caleb.  Caleb and his wife were so kind and pleasant and had a place on the square, available and ready but the price was out of our reach with 20 people.  They even tried to meet us closer which was so kind, but we couldn't make the budget work.  So, we were invited to Front Line Conference for small church planters and even though we didn't feel like going, we went.  God provided such wonderful fellowship and a powerful Word that we knew we had to come back to Springfield and establish the work.  He said, "I have set before thee an open door.  You must enter and it will be confusing and you may not understand, yet go through the door I have set before you.  You have to go down to go up."  While at the conference two things happened, first I received a call about a property on the square from Joshua (remember who I meet, you will see how amazing God is) and we set up a meeting to look at the property.  Also, the District Superintendent offered a lot of pew chairs, 75 or more if I recall, to anyone who needed them (and at the time I didn't but I raised my hand and asked if no one else did, I would take them).  

So we returned to Springfield, refreshed and renewed and ready to continue the work of the Lord in His timing and His way.  We met Joshua, the property is down a stairway in a basement with over 2600 Square feet and we knew God had called us to this location.  Later, the District Superintendent called and said, "You can have the chairs, the sound equipment, the drum kit and anything else you want from storage, if you remove it by the end of the month".  Well, God doesn't give you 100 plus chairs and the means and a location without giving you the laborers to fill the church and ready to do the work of God.  So we set about preparing the lease, the sanctuary, transporting the equipment and on the first Sunday in March we held our first service at 600S Main Street, Springfield, TN 37172 right on the square.
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I told you earlier to remember the people I encountered along the way?!  I encountered Caleb and Joshua.  In the Old Testament, they were the two spies who came back with a "Good Report".  Joshua led God's people into the promised land and Caleb claimed his mountain there as well.  The rest perished in the wilderness until the next generation could cross over to the glorious plans God has for them.  Well, Victory Church has crossed over, God has provided and we would love to meet you in our community.  WE LOVE SPRINGFIELD, TN, ROBERSTON COUNTY, and WE LOVE GOD!! You were created in His image and we love you.  Won't you join us?

In January, 2018 the contract on the property did not close as expected.  The particulars aren't really important other than the fact that it was not considered by legal counsel as a very good contract for the church to engage in.  Rather than continue to rent we decided to move the church to Pastor's house and that is where we meet today.  We went through all the natural emotions, disappointment, brokenness, to the point of giving up yet God impressed upon us we were in the right place doing the right work for the Kingdom of God and we determined to persevere.  It was at this point we decided to truly dig in and dig out a work for the Lord.

Growth didn't happen right away, but slowly new people began to show up for service at our house.  First our neighbors walked over for service.  A week or two later another lady invited a couple one more time and they decided to visit.  A widow was invited and showed up in the next few weeks.  God was providing an increase and we actually had to set up another row of chairs in the house, what a great problem to have.  Numbers are still 15-20 but more first time guests have visited my home than ever visited an expensive rental property or store front.  As I sought God in prayer each day, God pressed upon me the fact that the disciples went from house to house, preaching the Gospel and breaking bread daily.  I can assure you, it is humbling to stay up late Saturday and get up early Sunday making sure the yard is cut, the kitchen is clean, the coffee is made, the seats are set up, the message and music is prepared, the Sunday school is set up, the floor is mopped and the bathrooms are clean.   Whenever I hear Saints and Pastors complain about the scuff on the wall or the trash left behind, I chuckle a little, as I put the chairs away and pick up the trash left in my living room.  The church is not about a building or a place, it is a group of people that meet to honor and worship the Lord and to seek Him for needs that cannot be met anywhere else.  Lord keep me humble that I may never forget the reason the church exists, for the broken and those in need, not for the "perfected saint that believes they have truth and have already arrived". But I digress.

My shoulder had quit working for some time and I was pretty limited in range of motion.  Finally, in agony one day, my wife forced me to go to the doctor.  A torn labrum and abraided rotator cuff would require surgery but with Church Camp meeting, family vacation and other events I put off surgery until July.  For over 2 years, my wife suffered from what we thought were migraines.  Sometimes her vision and dizziness was incapacitating and we continued with migraine treatments over the year without resolution except for about 2 months where she actually felt normal again.  I went ahead and had surgery, awoke to an immobilized arm for 4 weeks and a recovery battle with physical therapy of 8-12 months, something nobody in ortho prepared me for.  Not even out of the immobilized sling and still in a bit of pain, my wife had follow up testing as we sought God to find the cause of the headaches.  She had an MRI that showed brain lesions, a second with contrast showed they were active and growing and she was told to go to an ER immediately, that she was in an active MS (Multiple Sclerosis) attach and needed steroid treatment.  A third MRI showed spinal lesions both active and inactive which told us this had been going on for some time unknown to us.  In the Emergency Room, my wife testified with such sweet peace that she would have her healing, that God would heal her one day, and that she would come back to that ER doctor with an MRI that showed no lesions on the brain and my wife, the ER doctor and I prayed together.  It has been a struggle, at every turn, MS specialists haven't been available, insurance wouldn't cover things, doctors wouldn't help but at every point the devil has tried to interfere with the work of the church to no avail.  The gates of hell shall not prevail against the church of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  To prove His power, God provided more confirmation.  I preached "Send Me a Prophet" on Sunday about Elijah and the widow who had no meal or oil and whose son died but God provided and also resurrected her son through the prophet after she was obedient.  Later that day, a prophet arrived at our house in the form of an old minister burdened with a message for my wife since Tuesday of the week before, Hebrews 11:1-3.   Have faith that God will heal you, by it the elders received a good report.  Keep being faithful and God would heal you was the basis of the message.  We accepted and received that word from the Lord.

Monday night they had a fasting and prayer service for my wife in Mt Juliet.  A lot of people showed up and prayed and fasted and sought God.  The message was about Now Faith, stirring and activating Faith, and I received my confirmation again that God has all things under control but I began to feel burdened to deliver the message of faith and healing to someone else.

Mid week, in prayer I prayed for a 6 year old boy with an inoperable tumor and brain cancer who was undergoing radiation and chemotherapy.  I prayed over some prayer cloths for both the child and the parents feeling the empty pit in my stomach thinking of how I would feel if my 4 year old daughter were diagnosed with such a disease.  Wednesday I saw my doctor for my shoulder and I told him of my burden for him and his family and provided him with scripture, prayer cloths and a prophetic word that God is in control and faith will open the doors to his sons healing.  There is a small church praying for him and his family.  He broke down and cried and I joined in with him.  We are praying for his family every Sunday and I mention their names in prayer every day.

My wife is not healed yet, my shoulder has little range of motion right now, the outlook for my doctor's son is pretty bleak yet through this valley in the midst of it, Jesus is with us!!! He holds our hand and knows the number of hairs on our heads!  The Healer is in the house and I love walking with Him through the valley, it is such a comfort to know Jesus.  God has all things in His hands and all things work together for good.  People have been amazing, bringing food to the house, providing gift cards to restaurants, money to cover incidentals....truly many people have stepped out to be the hands and feet of Jesus.  Through this trial and tribulation, this trip through the fiery furnace, we are being forged and will come out what God wants us to be on the other side.  Brazen as of pure gold!

The church will prevail.  We will not be shaken.  We have been founded on the rock, Jesus Christ and nothing can stop His church!.  Get ready for revival and an outpouring of the Holy Ghost.  Growth like you've never seen and an experience that can only be described as out of this world!  This world is not my home, I am a visitor here until I get to see Jesus.

Praying this was a blessing to you.  Sorry it's so long but it has been so long since I've written and much has happened in a short period of time.

-Pastor Marshall Pilcher
Victory Church
Springfield, TN

Victory Church enjoyed a wonderful close to two years in the Coach House in Pleasant View, TN.  We prayed over the city and its leadership, the people, and the community.  God opened doors and brought people in and took others away during that time.  In Ecclesiastes we see, "To everything a season and purpose....".  A new chapter begins for the church as we move to Chappell Acres at 2628 Woods Road, Springfield, TN  37172, actually in Coopertown where we are currently renting and will be located between 3 population centers/demographics.  Coopertown, Springfield, and Pleasant View.  We pray that God will send laborers into the field for the harvest is ready.  Jesus is coming soon.  Join us in worship if you can and don't have a church home, we'd love to meet you.  If you have a church home, join us in prayer.   Look for more in depth blog postings to come.  Excited about what God is doing!!!
-Pastor Pilcher

Jesus is definitely coming soon for His bride, the Church.  We get busy and time slips by us.  Things change, events happen and yet, somehow we keep moving forward.  People come, people go.  Some get baptized, some receive the precious gift of the Holy Ghost yet depart from the church and return to the world.  With an election on the horizon with unsavory choices, it is simply another indicator that.... "the kingdom of heaven is at hand". 
Matthew 24:6 King James Version (KJV)

6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
James 4:14 King James Version (KJV)

14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, and today is a gift that is why they call it the present.  Use the present wisely.  Time on this earth is not promised and none of us know when our soul may be required of us.  Live for God, be a testimony to His mercy and grace, be the feet and hands of Jesus in a hurting and damaged world.  Love God with all your heart and soul and mind and love your neighbor as yourself.

I let my blog get away from me.  Revival fires are burning and the Holy Ghost convicted me to rekindle both the prayer life of the church and the blog to reach those who have a need or an interest in drawing closer to Him. So be on the lookout for more in depth posts in the future on a regular basis.

Blessings in Jesus name!
Pastor Pilcher

Ephesians 6:12 King James Version (KJV)
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
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We give the devil far too much credit when it comes to bad things happening in our life.  He is NOT omniscient, omnipresent, nor is he all seeing or knowing.  He does have access and audience with God (see Job), he is the prince of the power of the air, and he is the TEMPORARY ruler of this world (the carnal or fleshly world), thus the name temporal.  However, often things happen to us that are more the result of bad choices and decisions than the power of the devil.

Satan is "the father of lies", masquerading as an "angel of light", a devourer, a thief and murderer, a destroyer and he is a consumer.  He is never satisfied and will consume anything he can yet never is he satisfied.  Satan operates on a principle of scarcity while God operates on a principle of abundance.  The scripture advises us to be sober, be vigilant  for our adversary (our natural adversary) is seeking those whom he may devour.  While God, offers life and abundance and seeks you to desire a relationship with Him.  There is enough "light" or truth in Satan to make what he tells you sound good.  Oh, one drink won't hurt and then two, and then pretty soon you are an alcoholic and are drinking every waking our of the day or night...he is a destroyer and all consuming, never satisfied.

Ezekiel describes the devil in chapter 28.  He is covered in gold with beautiful stones including diamonds, emeralds, beryl, and topaz, jasper and sapphires.  He was created by God with wonderful tabrets and pipes and made wonderful music.  He was the cherub that covered and was in the garden of Eden.  Cherubim have 4 faces (ox, man, eagle and lion) and 6 wings flying in any direction.  However he lifted himself above God and was cast out to this world.  
How imposing he must appear, bright and shining, wonderful music, gold and precious stones, until he opens his mouth....then it begins....he uses enough truth to make the faithful doubt....you can't be used by God, you did this and that in the past, you are a sinner, you're worthless, you're not talented, you are a loser, nobody loves you certainly not God.  Satan is a liar and the father of it.  God did not give us a spirit of fear.  So how do you defeat the devil?!!!

Ephesians 6
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Put on the whole armor of God, claim the power of the name of Jesus Christ as a sanctified child of the King, because ALL Power rests in His name, and tell that devil......

Devil.....
In the name of Jesus Christ
You can't have my joy
You can't have my praise
You can't have my worship
You can't have my praise
You can't have my job
You can't have my livelihood
You can't have my friends
You can't have my salvation
You can't have my children
You can't have my family
You can't have my mind
You can't have my health
You can't have my body
Satan YOU CAN'T HAVE ANYTHING BECAUSE I AM A CHILD OF THE KING AND I BELONG TO JESUS!!!  Get thee behind me Satan, thou art an offence to me, get under my feet....you can't have anything I have!!!!  In Jesus name!!!

You know why?  Scripture says the demons believe and tremble also at the name!  At the mention of the name of Jesus the devil must flee.  So if you want that kind of power, God living in you, the Holy Ghost...you can claim it....just make sure you are PRAYED UP; CHURCHED UP; STUDIED THE WORD OF GOD; BAPTIZED OF THE WATER AND SPIRIT; LIVING A PEACEFUL AND HOLY LIFE; FAITHED UP...YOU CAN ENGAGE THE WHOLE ARMOUR OF GOD AND DEFEAT SATAN AND BE VICTORIOUS, AN OVERCOMER THROUGH CHRIST JESUS.

Just don't call on His name like the seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, who cast out demons in the name of Jesus, on whom Paul preached.  Not because the Jews believed in the power of Jesus but because Paul did...the demons came out and said, "I know Jesus, and I know Paul, but who are you?!" and they entered into the Sons of Sceva and they ran out of the house.

Be Blessed in Jesus name!!!!

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.

Psalm 19:14 KJV

Halloween is on it's way and like it or not, America celebrates this holiday.  Demons and ghouls, free candy and trick or treating have been an American tradition for years yet it makes you wonder about the origins.  It is certainly not steeped in Christian tradition nor is it Biblical in any form or fashion.  I saw a post on Facebook that said, "I am so glad Christian parents across the United States have dedicated at least one day out of the year for their children to worship Satan".  That is a sad statement.  Don't get me wrong, I am not judging anyone.  If you choose to dress your children up in costumes and go out into the neighborhoods asking for candy that is your choice.  I would ask you this, would you dress your children up in Sunday clothes and send them into the neighborhoods to hand out flyers inviting people to church?  Why is Halloween acceptable but Outreach not?  Why is proclaiming the Gospel so difficult for people but accepting traditions rooted in pagan ritual so easy? 

Football fans go to the game, paint their faces, wear their jerseys and scream and cheer for their team.  Oh that those who attended church would raise their hands and worship God in a loud and triumphant voice with the same fervor.  What has become of the Christian culture? We cannot and must not succumb to societal pressures and cultural encroachment that does not line up with the Bible, the definitive word of God.  We can't water down the scripture, make changes to the church, and change the doctrine to attract people..  The non-denominational church, in many cases (not all), draws people in with the ideas of God loves everybody, would never send anybody to hell, come as you are (leave unchanged).  These churches have become mega churches bringing people into the house to feel good on Sunday, worship and praise is contemporary and upbeat music, and yet the Word or doctrine is one that leaves people unchanged and uncommitted to God at the end of the day. 

The recent shooting in Oregon really brings it into focus.  If you knew that proclamation of your Christianity would lead to immediate and imminent persecution, how would you answer?  What would your response be?  Would you boldly proclaim your belief and obedience to God or would you simply not answer, or worse yet...deny?

Be careful what you celebrate each day.  Be committed to God, start each day in communion with Him and let Him lead and direct your steps each day.