June 1, 1991 was like any other day to many people, but to Apostle Prince-David Zilly Aggrey, it was a historic day in his relationship with God. The Apostle was at the Commonwealth Institute, London when God spoke to him at about 9pm to “‘go back to your Jerusalem’ (Nigeria) and ‘gather the outcasts of Israel … the disconnected, the distressed and those that are in debts …” God added further, “… and I will equip you with the Davidic anointing to turn them into a mighty army.” The full measure and definition of this great assignment can only be determined by God and he does not give this kind of assignment to weaklings. By this time of this commission, Prince David Zilly Aggrey has his apprenticeship as an Assistant Pastor under Bishop W. T. Iwo in Church of God Mission Int’l after a one-year record-breaking career in Christ for all Nations Bible Institute, Benin under the late Arch-Bishop Benson Idahosa in 1987. Prince David Zilly Aggrey started Royal House of Grace on 30th October, 1992 with 15 members in his living room at plot 4A Elitor Close, off Woji Road, Woji Town, Port Harcourt. The 15 Founders included Pastor (Mrs) Gladys Aggrey, Elder Mrs Abigail Osunhor, Ere Subi, Elder Mrs Elizabeth Nabena, Rev Thompson Wari, Helen Aggrey , Mrs Ebi Oladapo, Ayobidemi Ilori, Mrs Olga Ilari, Mrs Lucy Adukeh, Mrs Josephine Apre, Pastor Messiah Opusunju, Austin Ogionwo, Pastor Mercy Amanda now Rev. Dr. Mrs. Mercy Essien and Prince David Zilly Aggrey himself. It is not certain if these fifteen persons had a clear idea how far they wanted to go and how wise their decision was to found Royal House of Grace, but they sure had implicit confidence in the able leadership of the anointed servant of the Lord that had brought them together. They were also sure that God had ordained that meeting. Nineteen years later, there is every good reason to say their decision was right. No sooner had the Ministry started that it became a household name. By January, 1993 the Church moved into Hotel Olympia Banquet Hall where attendance rose to over 500 within the first six months.
By the last quarter of 1993, the Church moved to the former Centre for Women Affairs along the Eastern By-pass, Port Harcourt. The Church-growth experience of Royal House of Grace is phenomenal and, yet dramatic. The first anniversary of the Church in October, 1993 was celebrated in the in-door sports hall of the Alfred Diete-Spiff Civic Centre and that might have appeared ambitious to many observers for a one year old ministry to distribute handbills with helicopter. The hall was always full each day; and for those who know the calling of God on Prince David Zilly Aggrey, that was only a sign of greater things to come in the life of the ministry. It is also significant that the international thrust and vision of the ministry came into play in the first anniversary by the successful hosting of one of Africa’s choice preachers, Ghana Eric Kwapong. After the third anniversary of the Church in October, 1995, the unusual growth of the ministry made relocation to a permanent site but more accommodating location imperative. The exodus to the present sixteen-plot headquarters site took place December 3, 1995. Jesus Eagle Square or Graceland Headquarters, as the headquarter Church is popularly called, has become a centre of apostolic activities in the Body of Christ. Inside the intimidating three wings Temple of Grace, several national and international Christian meetings have been taken place.
The Vision: The Royal House of Grace International Church pursues 3-fold vision:
1. To establish a biblically functioning Christian Community that will ensure the emancipation of people from all forms of spiritual and mental bondage, by the gospel of Jesus Christ.
2. To provide evidence of the relevance of the Christian faith in the Christian Community by making functional social contributions; and,
3. To establish a Christian community that has qualitative socio-economic strength and empowering such a community through the gospel with all the leadership skills needed to impact the nations in such areas as political awareness, educational advancement, economic emancipation and social mobilization. This is because we believe that the principles of Jesus Christ are the only basis for building a sustainable society.
