By Femi Mustapha and Gloria Uche in Kaduna
It was a day filled with praise, prayer, and purpose yesterday as House of Purpose Ministry in Ungwan Sunday, Chikun Local Government Area, Kaduna State, held its 2026 Children’s Convention.
The event, themed “Kingdom Kids for Rulership,” featured Bible memorization, praise and worship, drama, choreography, and debates performed by the children known as the Pearls of Purpose. The program was designed to instill godly values and leadership qualities in the next generation.
Delivering a short exhortation titled “Character Before Crown for Kingdom Rulership” with reference to 1 Samuel 16:7, Salvation Jerry, one of the Pearls of Purpose, told the congregation that character is “who we are and what we do when no one is watching us.” She stressed that for a child to become a kingdom ruler, good character must be deliberately built from childhood.
Salvation outlined key kingdom traits every child must possess. She said the first is truth, noting that God delights in honesty in words and actions as stated in Proverbs 12:22.
She also emphasized obedience, quoting Ephesians 6:1, and explained that children who obey parents and God’s instructions are positioning themselves for leadership and divine favor.
Another vital trait, she said, is keeping promises. Referencing Matthew 5:37, she taught that a kingdom ruler must be trustworthy, dependable, and consistent.
She added that a kingdom child does not cheat. Citing Proverbs 11:1, she noted that fairness and integrity, even in little things, reveal the heart of a future leader.
Salvation further stressed treating people with respect as non-negotiable. Quoting Philippians 2:3, she explained that humility and regard for others build character that earns trust and influence.
Finally, she charged the children to do what is right at all times. With backing from Proverbs 12:9 and Matthew 6:11, she said kingdom rulers are those who choose righteousness daily, even when it is inconvenient.
She noted that character is shaped by the small choices made every day. To support her point, she cited biblical examples of people of integrity: Joseph in Genesis 39:7-12; Daniel in Daniel 6:1; Esther; Ruth; and Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who remained faithful to God despite trials. “They were people of integrity whose character truly deserved a crown,” she said.
In his sermon titled “Resetting Kingdom Kids Mentality for Rulership,” the Senior Pastor of the ministry, Apostle Yakubu Yusuf, drew inspiration from Romans 12:2 and Proverbs 22:6.
He outlined three main goals for raising kingdom-minded children: replacing wrong mental programming with God’s truth, establishing kingdom identity in their hearts, and preparing them for purposeful leadership and dominion.
Apostle Yusuf explained that parents have a primary responsibility to reset a child’s mentality in line with Deuteronomy 6:6-7, which commands consistent teaching of God’s word at home. He urged parents to speak positively and prophetically over their children, citing Proverbs 18:21: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.”
He also advised parents to guard what influences their children by monitoring their friendships, television programs, and the content they consume, to ensure they are exposed to values that build faith.
“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it,” he quoted Proverbs 22:6, describing it as God’s blueprint for effective parenting.
The clergyman further urged parents to nurture faith in their children, referencing Hebrews 11:6, to develop an excellent spirit like Daniel in Daniel 6:3, to cultivate a serving heart like Ruth in Ruth 3:3, and to raise children with courage to stand for God in difficult times.
He recommended practical steps such as engaging children in Bible lessons, reading Christian storybooks, involving them in Bible projects, and allowing them to watch Christian animations that will strengthen them spiritually for kingdom service.
According to him, these intentional efforts will produce a generation of leaders marked by faith, character, and courage.
The convention concluded with prayers for the children and a call for parents to take responsibility for raising godly children who will positively impact society and advance God’s kingdom.