Late Pastor L. Victor Lowery
Pastor Leonard Victor Lowery answered God's call to ministry after a distinguished career in service and community partnership. A graduate of the New York Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Technology (1970), he spent over two decades at New York Telephone and NYNEX, where he became known for building bridges between his company and the communities it served.
A Career of Service
In the mid-1970s, Victor transferred into Community Relations at New York Telephone with a mandate to strengthen the company's relationship with underserved neighborhoods. Through partnerships with block associations, senior centers, precinct community councils, health clinics, and local development corporations, he helped launch consumer forums, health fairs, mobile business offices, tutorial programs, and major community sponsorships — earning the company a reputation as a true "corporate neighbor."
He was honored as Kiwanis Distinguished Lieutenant Governor of the Metropolitan Division (1980–1981), was a finalist for New York Telephone's Black Achiever's Award, and later received the President's Award (1993) and recognition as a finalist for the NYNEX Chairman's Award.
A Higher Calling
Victor's faith journey deepened in 1981 when he became a member of Redeeming Love Christian Center. By 1990, he and Laura had been ordained into the ministry. In 1994, he retired from NYNEX to dedicate himself fully to pastoring Love Oasis Christian Center, faithfully shepherding the congregation for decades to come.
Late Pastor Laura Gonzalez Lowery
From an early age, it was clear that Laura Gonzalez Lowery was called by God to work with people. She studied at Columbia-Greene Community College in Greenport, New York, before earning her Bachelor of Arts from Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson, and later her Master of Social Work from New York University.
A Heart for People
Pastor Laura's first professional role was with the New York State Department of Mental Health, the beginning of a fifteen-year career in social work that equipped her with a wealth of experience for kingdom service. When God required her to leave that career, she described feeling like Abraham — called to follow Him into a place only He could lead.
Co-Pastor & Worldwide Voice
Several years later, she answered the divine call to ministry, serving alongside her husband as co-pastor of Love Oasis Christian Center. As a worldwide radio broadcaster, Pastor Laura's weekly program "The Oasis" was aired on four continents. She taught extensively throughout the United States, bringing the Word of God to those who hungered and thirsted for truth.
Beyond the pulpit, Pastor Laura spearheaded community service projects locally and internationally — breast cancer screenings, the collection and shipment of medical supplies to Haiti and the Bahamas, partnership with the 105th Precinct on National Night Out, food drives, clothing drives, holiday toy drives, hospital and nursing-home visits, intervention in domestic violence situations, and the creation of a program for teenage girls in crisis.
A Lifelong Partnership
From the day they were married in June 1986, Victor and Laura walked side by side — as husband and wife, and as co-laborers in the Gospel. Together they prayed, taught, served, and shepherded Love Oasis Christian Center through three decades of growth and outreach, leaving a legacy of faith, love, and devotion that continues to bless this congregation today.
Taking His Word, to His earth, through His love, and by His Spirit.— A motto given to the Late Pastor Laura by the Holy Spirit
These words — inspired by the Holy Spirit through the Late Pastor Laura — describe the heart of our ministry and remain the guiding motto of Love Oasis Christian Center to this day.