Meet the Victory Life Church
Ministry Team

Pastor James Sunnock and his wife Aileen have been married for over 21 years and have three boys Caleb, Isaac, and David.

Pastor James is a graduate of Western Michigan University with a Bachelors in Business Administration. After running his own business for 10 years, Pastor James accepted a position as an account manager with W.W.Grainger and enjoyed a very successful sales career for 8 years.

In 1999, pursuing his dream to be in full time ministry, Pastor James left the corporate world and entered the pastoral internship program at Resurrection Life Church in Grandville, MI. He studied the ministry under the leadership of Pastor Duane Vander Klok and was responsible for creating a small group ministry.

In July of 2001, Pastor James accepted an invitation to come to Battle Creek. Serving with Pastor Mike Lutz, the two cast a new vision. In January, 2002 Pastor James became the Senior Pastor and the church became known as VICTORY LIFE CHURCH, an affiliate of Resurrection Life Church. In just 5 years the church has grown from 60 people to just under 700, with over 180 salvations last year!

Victory Life Church is committed to helping people connect with God and inspire them to grow in their relationship.

Pastor Trent and his wife Siobhan have been married for 4 years and have two boys Camden and Bennett.

Pastor Trent is a guitar driven Worship Leader originally from Hudsonville, Michigan.  He started leading worship in youth group when he was sixteen and after high school he graduated from Christ for the Nations Institute in Dallas, TX with his associates in Practical Theology. 

With a passion for the heart of God and a desire to teach true authentic worship, Pastor Trent comments online weekly about worship music culture at www.trentwalkermusic.com.

He has written and produced several songs and his latest recording, The Life That Never Ends can be purchased online by clicking www.trentwalkermusic.com.

Pastor Ralph Cates and his wife Dianne are true servants. they have been married for 17 years. Pastor Ralph is a retired Air Force Officer and was a Battle Creek city commissioner for four years. In the late 70’s, while running his own business, he was one of the founding leaders of the Battle Creek Area Christian Fellowship.

Now “Retired”, Pastor Ralph and Dianne, continue to serve Victory Life Church and the community. He has led several trips to the Philippines and established a missionary medical team made up of doctors, nurses and resources from the local hospital. In addition to volunteering his time as a pastor at Victory Life Church and overseeing missions, Pastor Ralph serves as a hospital chaplain for Battle Creek Health Care Systems.