About Pastor James Spence Jr.

James Spence, Jr. is a native of Park Hall, Maryland. He is a graduate of Great Mills High School in Great Mills, Maryland.  He received an A.A. Degree from Emmanuel College in 1981 and a B.A. Degree from Emmanuel College School for Christian Ministries in 1983.  Both schools are located in Franklin Springs, GA.  Also, he has completed the required course of study with the Evangelical Teacher Training Association (ETTA) to receive an Evangelical Teacher Training Diploma, awarded in 1983.

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He was called to the ministry at the age of 16.  His initial sermon was preached on June 25, 1978 at the former House of God-Gates of Heaven in Park Hall, Md. under the leadership of the late Bishop John Clifton.

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Several years after graduating from college and serving under the leadership of Bishop Clifton, James received the call of God to begin Praise and Deliverance Fellowship, now Oasis of Victory Christian Church International.  He was challenged by God to reach those men and women that were being overlooked by others.  He was also challenged by God to preach and teach the uncompromise Word of God that will tear down the walls of religion and tradition.

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Under the leadership of Pastor Spence, the Oasis has collaborated with numerous non-profit organizations locally and beyond to feed the hungry, fight homelessness, empower children and families, respond to the needs of people in crisis, rescue victims of injustice, and lead a generation into a greater life of generosity and service. 

Pastor Spence’s ministry reaches even into the community. For more than a decade, he was the host of the weekly broadcast of “Empowering Your World” which could be seen and heard locally on cable television. This broadcast had a purpose of getting individuals to realize the power they have within themselves, in their God, together as a community and the power that can be obtained through upright living.

He has served on the Board of Directors of Community Development Corporation, the advisory board of the Family Self-Sufficiency, and a member of the Community Service Committee and other groups that deal with the disadvantaged. As pastor of the Oasis, he has participated on the Lexington Park Business and Community Association.

In November 2012, Pastor Spence was awarded St. Mary’s County Citizen of the Year by the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc Tau Lambda Lambda Chapter.  This award is given to a citizen of the Maryland Tri-County region for extraordinary leadership and service to the community on the local, state, and regional levels which served to enrich and improve the quality of life for others. 

He currently resides in Lexington Park, Maryland and is the proud father of a daughter, Courtney. In spite of all of his accomplishments, he believes that “if it ain’t about building the Kingdom of God, it doesn’t mean a thing.”