Bright Hope DHCOG, Inc.

          Pastor Victoria Peterkin is the daughter of the Late Master Sergeant Samuel L. Peterkin, Sr. and Bishop Verna L. Peterkin.  She is the youngest of four children – Samuel Peterkin, Jr., the late Gregory Peterkin, & the late Karen Peterkin.  

 

          She is a life-long member of Bright Hope Divine Holy Church of God, Inc.  She was born & raised in Raleigh, NC and is a graduate of The University of North Carolina at Greensboro with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Work.  She also completed her Master’s Degree in Theology at Michael’s Bible College – Landover Hills, MD.  

 

          Pastor Peterkin has served in her church as the Executive Administrator, Singles Ministry Advisor, VLP Mass Choir President / Director, Youth Pastor and Junior National Evangelist of The Divine Holy Church of God, Inc.  She was recently appointed and installed as Pastor of Bright Hope Divine Holy Church of God, Inc. (Headquarters).  She declares praises and glory to God with the phrase that HE put in her spirit….“Come on and give the Lord the Highest Praise”!  Hallelujah is the Highest Praise!  

          Bishop Verna L. Peterkin was born to the late Bishop Mary S. Batchelor and the late Brother Charlie Batchelor.  She married the late Master Sergeant Samuel L. Peterkin, Sr. and to this union was born four children:  Samuel, Jr. (Sylvia), Victoria, and the late Gregory and Karen Peterkin.  She is the grandmother of one – Jessica Peterkin. 

          Accepting the Lord as her personal Savior at the age of 15, she determined in her heart to do the complete will of God.  She accepted her call into the ministry in 1963 and studied under the tutelage of Bishop Hattie Harden (Durham, NC).  God saw fit to elevate her to Junior Pastor of Bright Hope DHCOG, Inc. in 1970 and later to Assistant Pastor in 1976.  During this time, she was honored to serve as the President of the Youth Department of the Holy Ministerial Alliance in Durham, NC under the leadership of Bishop W. A. Jones and Overseer Lizzie Brown. 

          The Lord was yet moving in her life to do a greater work.  Due to the retirement of our Former Pastor & Founder, the late Bishop Mary S. Batchelor, God called, anointed and appointed Assistant Pastor Peterkin to Pastor of Bright Hope DHCOG, Inc. in 1987.  Bishop Mary S. Batchelor, Bishop M. S. Nesbitt, Bishop Geraldine Bailey, Bishop Ernest Hinton, Bishop Levi Wright, and Bishop Eddie Bailey consecrated her to the office of Bishop in 1991. 

          A graduate of Ligon Senior High school, she continued her education at Shaw Divinity School (Raleigh, NC) and graduated with honors (Cum Laude) receiving a Bachelor of Theology Degree – class of 1986.  She received her Master of Theology Degree (Magna Cum Laude) – class of 2008 from Michael’s Bible College (Landover Hills, MD). 

          Since her Pastoralship began, God has seen fit to expand The Divine Holy Churches of God – adding several churches to the Headquarters Church and elevating her as Presiding Prelate of this great work.

          Truly her ministry has been a great blessing to so many and God continues to use her in a variety of capacities.  With the work of the Lord laid before her, she perseveres to do the will of God, knowing that “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him” (I Corinthians 2:9).