The world has lost a true spiritual giant with the passing of Pastor Sonny Arguinzoni Sr., who went home to be with the Lord. A man of unwavering faith and vision, Pastor Sonny leaves behind a legacy that has transformed countless lives through Victory Outreach International, a ministry that was birthed in the heart of God and carried forth with passion and dedication by Sonny and his wife, Julie.
Victory Outreach International and Victory Outreach Bible College are partners of Life Pacific University. Many LPU alumni including Pastors Sonny Arguinzoni Jr., and Ryan Arguinzoni Kuklinski, and current LPU students including his beloved granddaughter Julie Zegers-Banuelos, Joey Alanis, Darrion Ross, Jessica Gonzales and many more are vibrant leaders within Victory Outreach. Our hearts go out to you and all our Victory Outreach students who are personally impacted by this great loss.
A Vision That Changed the World
Victory Outreach International was founded in 1967 in East Los Angeles by Pastor Sonny and Julie Arguinzoni. Their ministry began with a simple yet profound message: God loves the broken and has the power to change lives. Through their obedience to God’s call, they launched a movement that has now expanded to over 500 churches and ministries in more than 30 countries.
As Victory Outreach grew, Pastor Sonny’s church members felt an overwhelming sense of destiny. They stepped out in faith, planting churches across California and, eventually, throughout the United States. Victory Outreach quickly became a pioneering force in inner-city ministry, reaching those whom society had often overlooked—gang members, drug addicts, and the lost—offering them hope and restoration through Jesus Christ. Read more.
From Brooklyn to the Pulpit: A Life Transformed by Grace
Sonny Arguinzoni Sr. was born in Brooklyn, New York, and raised in a Christian home. However, as a teenager, he fell into the grip of heroin addiction, a struggle that lasted six years. His life took a dramatic turn in 1962 when he was reached by David Wilkerson and Nicky Cruz through the early days of Teen Challenge. Sonny became the first drug addict to be saved through Teen Challenge and was miraculously healed from his addiction.
Recognizing God’s call on his life, Sonny enrolled in L.A.B.I. Bible College in Southern California. It was there that he met and married Julie, his lifelong companion in ministry. Together, they dedicated their lives to reaching the lost and broken, founding a global movement that continues to thrive today. Their five children have also joined them in ministry, carrying on the family’s commitment to Kingdom work.
A Legacy of Leadership and Impact
Pastor Sonny Arguinzoni Sr. was not only a pastor but also an author, teacher, and mentor. He penned four influential books:
- Sonny, an account of his personal testimony
- Treasures Out of Darkness, chronicling the birth of Victory Outreach International
- Internalizing the Vision, imparting leadership principles
- Vision for the Outcast, highlighting the ministry’s mission and calling
His work did not go unnoticed. Pastor Sonny received numerous awards and recognitions from national and government agencies, including acknowledgments from U.S. Presidents Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama, as well as members of the U.S. Congress and Senate. Law enforcement agencies, community leaders, and theological institutions also honored him for his service.
Among his many accolades, he was awarded honorary doctorate degrees from the Assemblies of God Latin American Theological Seminary and Facultad de Teología International.
Carrying the Legacy Forward
Pastor Sonny Arguinzoni Sr. leaves behind an enduring legacy of faith, transformation, and commitment to the Great Commission. His impact will continue to be felt for generations through Victory Outreach International, Victory Outreach Bible College, and the thousands of lives changed by his ministry.
Life Pacific University and the partnership with Victory Outreach remains vibrant and will continue forward through the lives of students, graduates and alumni.
As we celebrate his life, we lift up the Arguinzoni family and the entire Victory Outreach community in prayer. His calling, passion, and love for the lost have left an indelible mark on the world, and we honor his faithfulness to God’s mission.
Though he is now in the presence of the Lord, the work he started will continue to bear fruit. Pastor Sonny, we honor you, we love you, and we thank God for your life and ministry. Victory Outreach International will remain a beacon of hope, carrying forward the vision you so faithfully championed.
“Well done, good and faithful servant.” – Matthew 25:23
