Dr. Ernest Leonard

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On September 18th, 1958, Dr. Ernest Leonard was called into ministry and placed into the pastorate of a Baptist church on South 11th St. in Newark, NJ. In 1965, at 27 years of age, Dr. Ernest Leonard founded Victory Temple National Holiness Church in Newark, NJ with a few members. While pastoring, Dr. Leonard graduated from Alma White Bible Seminary in Zarephath, NJ. He later earned his Master’s Degrees in Theology and Business Administration, and Doctorate Degrees in Ministry and Religious Education, from the American Bible College in Pineland, FL.? As a result of his leadership and dedication, in 1977 Dr. Leonard was duly elevated into the office of Bishop in Fitchburg, MA. The Lord used Dr. Leonard in evangelistic crusades throughout the Tri-State area to proclaim the Gospel of the Kingdom of God, causing thousands to come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Dr. Leonard recognized the need for outreach, and used media as evangelistic tools to draw people to Christ who would never set foot within church walls. During this time he began the Believer’s Wake Up Hour, a Radio Ministry that pervaded the NY-NJ-CT and PA Region, awakening a people to the revealed knowledge of their authority in Jesus Christ and their dominion over Satan and his kingdom. In the early 80’s, Dr. Leonard received instruction from God to begin a television broadcast. As one of the first African-American ministers to grace a television audience, Dr. Leonard exhibited great faith and resoluteness by launching The Hour of Jubilee broadcast (later named The Hour of Restoration). This dynamic program was transmitted through 2 major television markets; Black Entertainment Television (BET), and later on The Word Network. The response he and his ministry received was? overwhelming. A true demand was being placed on his anointing, which compelled him to extend his 1 hour program to 2 hours. Since then, the television broadcast had become global – exposing the supernatural teaching ministry