TULSA, OK (ANS) -- The founding pastor of Victory Christian Center, in Tulsa, OK, who also started more than 500 Victory Bible Institutes in 85 countries around the world, has passed away.

Sharon and Billy Joe Daugherty (Photo via CRNewswire.com).

The Rev. Billy Joe Daugherty, 57, died early Sunday after a short battle with lymphoma. Church officials announced the pastor's death during church services Sunday morning.

According to www.crnewswire.com , Associate pastor Bruce Edwards told the congregation that Daugherty "graduated into Heaven" at 4:40 a.m. Daugherty was hospitalized in October with a viral infection in his throat when tests discovered the cancer.

The official statement from the church released Sunday said: "We are sad to lose the presence of our pastor, shepherd, father, and brother. We are thankful, however, for his life, love, and influence on the individuals and ministries he inspired for the last 30 years... The world will never be the same because of Billy Joe Daugherty."

CRNewswire.com says Pastor Daugherty's ministry extended beyond the walls of the church. He started over 500 Victory Bible Institutes in 85 countries around the world. The multi-media man of God also spread the word to 100 million households during his daily broadcasts via television, radio, and the Internet. Daugherty is also the founder of Victory Christian School, Victory Bible Institute and Victory World Missions Training Center.

Originally from Magnolia, AR, he attended Oral Roberts University, graduating with a bachelor's degree in Christian education.

He was a youth minister in the 1970s at Sheridan Christian Center, and became senior pastor there in 1976 when the pastor retired.

The CRNewswire.com story says that by 1980, attendance had grown to 2,000 from 300 and Daugherty sought to relocate the church. When church leaders decided not to move, he started what is now Victory Christian Center.

The story says that in 2007, the church moved into its state of the art, $32 million, 5,000-seat worship center, built without borrowing money. It was the first time the church had its own worship center.

It adds that in October 2007, Daugherty was named interim president of Oral Roberts University after ORU president Richard Roberts stepped down in the wake of allegations that he misused university funds.

Daugherty is survived by his wife, Sharon, and four children: John, Paul, Sarah, and Ruthie. His two son-in-laws are also active in the congregation.

A memorial service is being planned for Nov. 30.

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