Bishop Victor S. Couzens, Sr. is a native of Dayton, OH. He is the first child of Victor Lee and Sherri Couzens.
He began his Preaching Ministry on May 12, 1991 at the age of 14 at the Mt. Moriah Baptist Church in Dayton, OH and his Pastoral Ministry in May 1996 at the age of 19, at the Greater Damascus Missionary Baptist Church in Dayton, OH.
He has been the recipient of the Ohio Humanitarian Award by former Governor George Voinovich, a member of the Governor’s Task Force on welfare reform, and a community liaison concerning non violence. Bishop has also served as a member of the Northern Kentucky University African American Advisory Board, Springfield Township Strategic Planning Committee, and National Heritage Advisory Board and has been featured guest on B.E.T and The Word Network’sRejoice in the Word. In October 2007 Bishop Couzens was named “Bishop of the Year” by his colleagues and local religious leaders.
Bishop Couzens ecclesiastical affiliations include: Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship International of which he is currently the Bishop of the College of Ordained Elders. E.M.A.C (Elijah’s Mantle Apostolic Covering). Bishop previously served as the third vice president of the National Baptist Convention USA, Inc. – Young Pastors and Ministers Division. He attended the historic American Baptist College in Nashville, TN and received his Bachelor of Science in Biblical Studies degree with a concentration in Leadership and Ministry from the Cincinnati Christian University. Bishop Couzens holds a Masters of Art Degree in ministry from the Indiana Wesleyan University and a DMin from United Theological Seminary. During his DMin studies he held the distinction of being the first seminary student to lecture at United Theological Seminary in recent history.
He is the proud Bishop and Senior Pastor of the Inspirational Baptist Church located in Cincinnati, OH since July 2000. In May of 2002 he led Inspirational in a $1.3 million dollar building project and relocation. The church as experienced explosive growth under Bishop Couzens anointed preaching and teaching. The church has grown from a 300 active membership to more than 5000 in the last ten years. Bishop Couzens has introduced Inspirational Baptist Church to the Purpose Driven Church Model, expanded the ministries administrative support staff, and introduced and implemented more than 45 new ministries. Bishop Couzens is leading the church to be a community focused church through our “Make A Difference” efforts which continue to result in hundreds of families being fed, hundreds of families receiving gasoline, and hundreds of families receiving rent and mortgage assistance. Inspirational Baptist Church is recognized as one of the fastest growing churches in the tri-state. The ministry of the church has been viewed weekly by thousands on local network television and by millions on the Word Network and Impact channel. Bishop Couzens continues to reach the masses through innovation and relevance.
The phenomenal growth of the ministry prompted Bishop Couzens to heed to the unction of the Holy Spirit and seek out additional space for the ministry to grow and expand. In August 2007 Inspirational Baptist Church purchased a 14 acre water park in Forest Park, OH formally known as Surf Cincinnati. On Easter Sunday, April 12, 2009 the church moved into their 12 Million dollar new multi phase facility which includes a 1600 seat worship center, youth ministry facility with a gymnasium, skating rink, volleyball capabilities, a children’s ministry facility, a sports-plex, miniature golf course, race car track, cafe, production studio and daycare. The building is affectionately known as The City of Destiny.
Bishop Couzens has been featured in newspapers, magazines and several other publications including Who’s Who in Black Cincinnati. This national publication highlights African American professionals who are considered exceptional.
Bishop Couzens was consecrated to the sacred office of Bishop in 2005 by Bishop Lawrence Kirby the Prelate and Founder of F.O.C.C.U.S (Fellowship of Christian Churches United in Service) headquartered in Racine, Wisconsin. Bishop Couzens is the “Spiritual Son” of Bishop Victor T. Curry, founder and Senior Pastor of the New Birth Baptist Church Cathedral of Faith International; Miami, Florida and E.M.A.C. (Elijah’s Mantel Apostolic Covering).