The Chief of Staff to the Governor of Abia State, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, has urged Christians to recognize the family as their first and most important ministry, stressing that the success of every other ministry and public responsibility begins with the quality of the home.
Pastor Ajagba stated this while speaking at the Living Faith Church, D-Line, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, during the 2026 Family Forum of the Hospitality Service Group, where he spoke on the theme, “The Ministry Called Family.” He said ministry should not be viewed only from the perspective of occupying a church position or standing behind a pulpit, but as a purposeful assignment to serve God and contribute to the wellbeing and development of others.
He explained that the family is a God-ordained institution established for love, responsibility, nurture, protection, discipleship and the transmission of values from one generation to another.
Drawing from biblical teachings, particularly Genesis 2:18 and 2:24, as well as 1 Timothy 3:4-5 and 1 Timothy 5:8, the Chief of Staff noted that anyone entrusted with leadership must first demonstrate responsibility and effective leadership within the family.
Pastor Ajagba, who shared personal experiences from his marriage and family journey, emphasized the importance of understanding marriage as a partnership built on shared responsibility rather than an avenue for transferring burdens from one spouse to another. He stressed that couples must walk together in agreement, noting that unity of purpose, patience, sacrifice, communication, tolerance and mutual support are essential ingredients for a successful marriage.
He identified four critical stages in the family ministry of marriage: the pre-marital or courtship stage, the wedding and honeymoon stage, the marriage and child-rearing stage, and the retirement or post-child-rearing stage. According to him, each stage comes with its peculiar responsibilities and challenges, requiring wisdom, discipline, commitment, sacrifice and faith in God for couples to successfully navigate them.
Reflecting on his own family experience, Pastor Ajagba disclosed that the early years of marriage were not without challenges, including decisions about accommodation, church, education of the children, career and finances. He said couples should not be discouraged by difficult seasons, but should learn to face challenges together, rather than allowing pressure to drive them apart. He urged spouses to avoid comparisons and instead focus on building their own homes according to God’s purpose.
The Chief of Staff to the Governor further admonished couples to respect one another, give each other adequate attention, avoid reopening past wounds, exercise restraint during disagreements and refrain from using hurtful words against their spouses. He also encouraged openness, forgiveness and acceptance of each other’s uniqueness, warning that neglect, persistent criticism, comparison and the abuse of information shared in confidence can gradually destroy intimacy and trust in marriage.
Pastor Ajagba further reminded the worshippers that the home should never be regarded as a distraction from Christian service, but as the first field of ministry.
“Your first congregation is actually the people sitting around your dining table. Your first converts and disciples are your children. Your first ministry partner is your spouse, and your first ministry field is your home,” he said.
He urged couples to love deeply, serve sacrificially, forgive freely, pray faithfully and raise their children intentionally, because, according to him, “family is not outside ministry; family is ministry.”
The 2026 Family forum was attended by the wife of the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Dcns. Arinola Ajagba, Pastor David Popoola, State Pastor of Living Faith Church Worldwide, Rivers State and Resident Pastor at DLine Church Headquarters in Port Harcourt, Pastor Joshua Popoola (Assistant Resident Pastor), Pastor (Prof) Dennis Allagoa, Pastor Mike Oamire, Pastor Tony Atako, Pastor Excellence Maduka and a host of other Pastors and church Leaders.
