Pastor Billy Joe Daugherty passed away Sunday morning.

TULSA, OK -- Victory Christian Pastor Billy Joe Daugherty passed away Sunday morning. Church pastors announced at early morning services that Daugherty died at 4:40 a.m.

The founder of Victory Christian Church, Pastor Billy Joe Daugherty's battle with cancer took a turn for the worse on Friday as he fought an infection at Houston's M.D. Anderson Hospital.

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.

Daugherty was 57.

Victory Christian has 17,000 members, making it one of Green Country's largest churches. Daugherty also founded Victory Christian School and the Victory Bible Institute.

"We're going to give thanks. We're going to celebrate his life, and then as a church we're going to pick up the baton and run the race," Pastor Bruce Edwards told the congregation Sunday morning.

"I can tell you, his prayer is for us to move forward with the vision," Edwards said of Daugherty.

Services are planned for Monday, November 30 at the Mabee Center. More information will be announced.

The family is returning to Tulsa today, congregation members were told at Sunday's 11 a.m. service. They ask that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Victory Christian Church to help carry on Pastor Daugherty's work.