“ When we met with Churches by Daniels , we found that ' s actually one of their trademarks ,” he says . “ They work so hard to ensure they give you some money back .”
Going fast , going big Moving forward , Isaac looks forward to enjoying all these benefits again in Phases 2 , 3 , 4 and 5 — plus , the visual transformation . “ We ' re changing the entire look of the place after the first phase is completed ,” he says . “ It ’ s a masterpiece they ' ve worked on .” Phase 2 ( and possibly 3 ) will begin next year . As Daniels explains , he and his team are phasing as they secure permits . This will include an events center — which can be rented by the public — and a 27,000-square-foot children ’ s wing , as well as reskinning the exterior of the building . Then , Daniels says , it will likely be another year before permits are secured for Phases 4 and 5 , which will be constructed on a 2.5-acre adjacent parcel of land . These phases can only begin when all tenants are moved out . They will include construction of a full parking garage , baptismal room , and youth center ; a brand-new exterior façade that ties the entire facility together visually ; and a large fitness center . The latter will be instrumental in engaging the community , which is of utmost importance to Isaac and his team . “ We are very conscious of this in the design : How do we invite them in , and what facilities are available for them to use ?” he says . “ We feel that the church is supposed to be the light , so that ' s our focus . How do we get the light of the church to shine bright and get people from the community in ?” To this end , Isaac adds , the church is also considering building a school to serve the community in the future .
No slowing down In coming years ( and even right now ), the church ’ s sights in the U . S . are set well beyond Maryland . Since his introduction to Isaac , Daniels says he has begun working on a project for the church in Houston . It has taken 10 months to get a permit , and rezoning will be required . Daniels has also visited five other major cities on the church ’ s behalf to scope out buildings before the church buys them . Most recently , he was in New York to see another building Winners Chapel might want to renovate for its use . As Isaac explains , this is all in keeping with the church ’ s expansion plan : to have a church in every state of the United States , each housed in
a property it owns . It all began in May 1981 with Bishop David Oyedepo . “ He received a mandate to liberate the whole world from the oppressions of the devil through the preaching of the word of faith ,” Isaac says . Under his own leadership , and that of other pastors like him across the country — and with the guidance of a like-minded building partner — the church is well on its way .
QUICK FACTS ABOUT WINNERS CHAPEL INTERNATIONAL MARYLAND
Year established : 2009 Location of original campus : Lanham , MD Number of locations : 33 Number of staff : 41 Combined weekly attendance : 4,000
10 CHURCH EXECUTIVE | JULY / AUGUST 2021