About Us - VGY

Victory Gap Year (VGY) is an 11-month structured discipleship journey for young adults (19–25) who want to pursue God wholeheartedly, grow in maturity, and live with purpose.

Based on campus at Victory Church in Jeffreys Bay, VGY is built around three core pillars:
Encounter – Experience the transforming presence of Jesus through intentional times of worship, prayer, and community life.
Equip – Gain strong biblical foundations, leadership skills, and practical tools for life and ministry.
Send – Step confidently into your calling, whether in ministry, missions, or the marketplace.

Founded in 2000 by Ps Louis & Edna Els with just six students in “Spindle House,” VGY was birthed from a vision to see young people encounter God and be released into Kingdom purpose. Today, thousands of alumni are influencing communities and nations across the globe.

At VGY, you’ll live alongside other students, learn to lead yourself and others, and discover how your unique gifts can advance God’s Kingdom in any sphere of society. This is more than a gap year — it’s a launching pad for a lifetime of impact.

In the seaside town of Jeffreys Bay, South Africa, students have come from around the world to experience the transformative power of God. Victory Gap Year is a unique experience; providing a healthy environment for you to learn about life and leadership within the Kingdom of God. This is the year for you to establish your identity in Christ and build a solid, Biblical foundation into your life, while developing your leadership and character. Set yourself up for a life of purpose, destiny, and significance, and make an impact on any sphere of society you are called to.

Victory Gap Year is a ministry within Victory Church Jeffreys Bay, a church making a significant impact in the town, the Kouga area, and around the world.

Our senior pastors, Louis & Edna Els, have always had the vision to see young men and women equipped with an understanding of the Kingdom of God. From humble beginnings in the year 2000, with just 10 students, we have grown into multiple schools with diverse disciplines.

Victory Church is part of a greater family of churches called Church of the Nations.

Rooted in Victory Church. Connected to the Nations.

Founded as an expression of Victory Church’s vision, VGY belongs to the Church of the Nations family, a worldwide apostolic movement committed to discipling nations and raising leaders