Bishop Michael A. Strickland is the proud son of the late Reverend Dr. Hopie Strickland, Jr. and Mrs. Linda D. Strickland. He is married to the former Brenda E. Clark and they are the parents of Briana Michelle, Morgan Lynn and Audria Hope Celeste. Affectionately called “Pastor Mike” or “Bishop” by the members of the Victory Tabernacle Church International, he serves faithfully and diligently in leading this congregation to become the church that God is pleased with and smiles upon. The vision that God has given him for the ministry is to “Expose God; Explore God’s Word and Exemplify God’s character in the earth.”
Bishop Strickland received his undergraduate degree in Music Education from Valdosta State University in Valdosta, Georgia a Master’s Degree in Library Science from Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, Alabama, and a Master’s Degree in Biblical Studies from Beulah Heights University.
Bishop Strickland accepted his call to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ in December 1995 and preached his initial sermon on the 4th Sunday in January, 1996. In 2000, he was called as pastor of the Little Bethel Baptist Church in Mableton, Georgia and served there until 2004. After being led by the Lord to resign as pastor, Bishop Strickland was the “Joshua” who was assigned to serve as his father’s assistant at Victory until his father’s transition on July 12, 2007. On September 9, 2007, he became the pastor of the Victory Tabernacle Church.
He was elevated to the office of Bishop on July 12, 2009 by Bishop Ruth W. Smith, Presiding Prelate of the Light of the World International Interdenominational Association. He is proud of the fact that God has His hands in the plans for his life and submits himself completely to God’s authority. He has done International Ministry, preaching and ministering in London, England, as well as, Andobakedash and Chennai, India.
As a bi-vocational pastor, Bishop Strickland has been employed as a Music Specialist with the Atlanta Public Schools for more than 25 years. Two of his greatest honors are being twice named the “Teacher of the Year” and being highlighted in the Collegiate Edition of Outstanding Educators. As a gifted encourager, Bishop is known as the E3 guy: He will Empower, Encourage and Equip you to be the best you that you can be.
Bishop Strickland continues to grow in Christ, he enjoys worship, serving, preaching, singing, and empowering the people of God. All glory, honor, and praise belong to God as he continues to do what he loves doing and that is being who God would have him be.