By Foster Akpore
The General Overseer of Palace of Priests Assembly (PPA), Pastor (Dr) Otive Igbuzor, has urged Christians to embrace their identity as kings and priests through godly leadership, integrity, spiritual maturity and service to humanity.
Igbuzor gave the charge on Sunday, October 11, at the inauguration of the church’s Okpara Inland branch in Delta State, marking the conclusion of a three-day crusade themed “You Can Change Your Destiny.”
Preaching on “Reigning as Kings and Priests,” he said salvation through Jesus Christ conferred on believers a royal and priestly identity, with responsibilities that extended beyond personal spirituality to leadership and positive influence in society.
Drawing from Revelation 1:5-6, Revelation 5:9-10, 1 Peter 2:9 and Genesis 1:26-28, he explained that Christian dominion should be expressed through responsible leadership, productivity, self-discipline and godly character, rather than the oppression of others.
He identified five dimensions of dominion: spiritual, mental, economic, social and moral, urging believers to cultivate faith, wisdom, integrity and diligence while contributing to community development, promoting peace and supporting vulnerable people.
The cleric outlined six requirements for living out the royal and priestly calling, including accepting Christ, understanding God’s grace, developing a positive attitude, acquiring knowledge and wisdom, operating in the Spirit and taking practical steps towards fulfilling one’s purpose.
Earlier, Pastor (Mrs) Ejiro Otive-Igbuzor, in her address, said PPA’s ministry model included providing pastors with support for church buildings, land and accommodation to enable them establish congregations and fulfil their calling.
She disclosed that the General Overseer and pastors at the headquarters had served without salaries or allowances from church funds for the ministry’s 10 years, describing the arrangement as a tentmaking model. She clarified, however, that the ministry did not oppose paying pastors whose branches had become financially capable of doing so.
She urged the new branch to explore opportunities within its immediate community, suggesting computer training for pupils of nearby schools as one way of combining ministry with practical community service.
Emphasising the importance of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, she said spiritual discernment and divine guidance were essential to the Christian life. Citing the biblical account of Naaman in 2 Kings 5, she noted how an Israelite girl in captivity influenced the healing of the Syrian army commander through her knowledge of God’s power.
She also encouraged members to persevere in business and other endeavours, learning from past failures rather than abandoning their aspirations.
In his charge to the new congregation, Igbuzor urged church leaders to serve with humility and build people rather than personal empires. He challenged young people to develop their gifts and prepare for leadership, while calling on families to promote prayer, love, discipline and godly values.
He said the new assembly, under the shepherdship of Pastor Ogheneakpobo Isiorhovoja should become a centre of spiritual renewal, empowerment, compassion and community development, stressing that its mission was to serve humanity and advance the Christian faith.
Reflecting on the three-day crusade, the General Overseer said the messages had followed a progression: Friday’s “You Can Change Your Destiny,” Saturday’s “You Must Fulfil Your Destiny,” and Sunday’s “You Are Called to Reign as Kings and Priests.”
The service featured an altar call for salvation and renewed commitment to Christ before Igbuzor formally inaugurated the Okpara Inland assembly, dedicating it to worship, evangelism, discipleship and the empowerment of believers.
Founded in 2016, Palace of Priests Assembly has the vision of building a world where children of God reign as kings and priests, with a mission to empower believers to fulfil their spiritual and societal responsibilities. The Okpara Inland branch is located opposite Agbon College in Ethiope East Local Government Area, Delta State.