Pastors Mark and Dona Owings
SENIOR PASTORS
Faith Victory Church was pioneered in 1990 by Senior Pastors, Dr. Mark and Dona Owings. As Pastors, fueled by the love of Christ, the Owings continuously demonstrate their faith and compassion for Columbus and the surrounding communities. Spirit-led, well-studied, straightforward, easy to understand, often humorous, unforgettable, and life-changing are common descriptors of Pastor Mark’s teaching. Pastor Dona’s practical life sermonettes are power-packed nuggets of God’s wisdom for everyday life. Along with pastoring the local body, the Owings serve as spiritual mentors for those under their care who are called to the ministry. As led by God, their educational training and professional experiences have prepared them to serve people from all walks of life. Pastor Mark earned an undergraduate degree in Christian Education from Olivet Nazarene University, and a Master of Divinity degree from Nazarene Theological Seminary. Afterwards, he received the infilling of the Holy Spirit and attended Rhema Bible Training Center in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, graduating in May of 1990. In October of the same year, Pastors Mark and Dona relocated to Columbus, Indiana and founded Faith Victory Church. Pastor Mark later completed a doctorate degree from the School of Bible Theology. Pastor Dona earned an undergraduate degree in Education from Mid America Nazarene University, and a Master of Science degree from Kansas State. Before embarking upon ministry, she taught in public schools in Texas and Kansas, and a private school in Indiana. Together, Pastors Mark and Dona are capable, insightful and devoted shepherds of Faith Victory Church. Through their leadership, God has transformed many lives. They are also the loving parents of two married children Joshua Owings (Sarah) and Whitney Austin (Andy).
Pastors Tyron and Joii Cooper
ASSOCIATE PASTORS
Associate Pastors Dr. Tyron and Joii Cooper’s great joy is to obey God by supporting the vision of Senior Pastors Mark and Dona Owings. As a result, the Coopers are service oriented as they share God’s Word, love and power through Bible teaching and worship. Their specific assignment from the Lord is to “creatively express the love of God in this world to increase His kingdom.” God has orchestrated their lives in dynamic ways, which has allowed them to experience success in various arenas for His glory. As a child, Pastor Tyron asked the Lord to teach him to play the guitar so he could serve his local church and his family’s gospel group, The Cooper Singers, which included his parents, himself and five siblings. The Lord answered his prayer beyond his wildest dreams, as he became accomplished on many instruments. Even more, God has called and empowered Pastor Tyron to teach the Gospel. He holds degrees in Music Education (B.A.) from Bethune-Cookman University, in Jazz Studies (Masters) and Ethnomusicology (Ph.D.), both from Indiana University. He is a 5-time Emmy award winning music composer for PBS and ESPN documentaries. He is also an Associate Professor at Indiana University, Bloomington, in the Department of Folklore and Ethnomusicology, and Director of the Archives of African American Music and Culture. Pastor Tyron is most grateful for how God uses him to reach people from various backgrounds for His glory. Pastor Joii comes from a family whose legacy is faith. Although he’s now in Heaven, her father, Rev. Daniel Byrd, imparted much into her life. As a child she saw many receive eternal life though Jesus Christ. She watched as people were healed and delivered. She even witnessed the dead being raised under her father’s ministry. Her love for the Lord’s plan steers every aspect of her life. Pastor Joii holds degrees in African American Studies (B.A) and Arts Administration (Masters), both from Indiana University. She is also a graduate of Rhema Bible Training Center.