VICTOR KNOWLES is a 1968 graduate of Midwestern School of Evangelism. From 1967-1992 he and his wife Evelyn ministered to churches in the Midwest and Pacific Northwest. On Sept. 2,1992, they founded POEM (Peace on Earth Ministries) in Joplin, Missouri, where Victor serves as President. He has authored 28 books including Archie Word: Voice of Thunder, Heart of Tears; Heavenly Hosts: A Panoramic Study of Angels; BEHOLD! A Christian View of Things That Matter Most; SAVED! God's Wonderful Plan for Our Salvation; My All for His Call; Stand and Deliver; Stand with God; Stand for Truth; Together in Christ: More Than a Dream; Beyond the Stars: Our Home in Heaven; The Biblical Roots of Islam and his two-volume autobiography VICTOR: Since 1945. He is a contributing writer to The Encyclopedia of the Stone-Campbell Movement. Several hundred of his articles and essays have been published in more than 40 journals including Pulpit Helps, Moody, The Voice of Evangelism, The Restoration Herald, Christian Standard and The Lookout.
Since 1984 Victor has edited One Body, a quarterly magazine dedicated to Christian unity, founded by the late Don DeWelt (1919-1991). Before becoming editor of One Body, he edited Vanguard for 11 years. In 1992, Victor and Evelyn began publishing The Knowlesletter, a monthly newsletter reporting on the national and international work of POEM. In 2021, The Voice of Evangelism was added as an in-magazine resource to One Body.
Victor has spoken for the Pepperdine University Bible Lectures, Tulsa International Soul Winning Workshop, North American Christian Convention, International Conference on Missions, National Prayer Clinic, National Preaching Summit, and dozens of Bible conferences, college lectureships, Christian men's meetings, revivals, rallies and family camps. He has preached throughout the United States of America, Australia, Belarus, Canada, Cuba, England, Hungary, India, Mexico, North Ossetia, Northern Ireland, Poland (9X), Puerto Rico, Russia, Scotland, Ukraine, and Zimbabwe.
The unity of God's people is always on his heart. Historian and author Dr. Leroy Garrett said, “I appreciate you both for your passion for Christian unity and your compassion for suffering humanity.” POEM partners with fellow ministries in evangelistic and benevolent work in Canada, Cuba, India, Poland, and Ukraine.
Awards: In 2004, Howard Publishing Company presented Victor and Evelyn with their “Spiritual Development Award” at Pepperdine University for their “continual efforts to uphold the unity of believers as prayed for by Jesus.” Victor was added to the Restoration Forum "Honor Roll of Unity" in 2007, "The Fellowship of John 17:31 Certificate of Special Recognition" by The Union Christian Foundation in 2007, the" Distinguished Christian Service Award" from Pepperdine University in 2011, the "Lifetime Achievement Award" from Midwestern School of Evangelism in 2012, and, in 2022, the "God's Honored Servant" Award was presented to Victor and Evelyn by the Missouri Christian Convention for their 55 years of Christian ministry.
Victor and Evelyn were married in 1967 and have five daughters, one son,13 grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
