By Fiki Masilela
Believers, leaders and professionals attending the recent EXCEL Conference 2026 were called to move beyond passive participation and to take up their role as active gatekeepers in business, governance, culture and society.
The theme of the conference from April 28 to May 3 hosted by Apostle Felix Okoh and Pastor Bulelwa Okoh of House of Treasures Ministry in Johannesburg was “The Joseph of Arimathea Mandate”.
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Drawing from the biblical account of Joseph of Arimathea, the mandate emphasises the importance of believers using their influence, resources, credibility and position to serve divine purpose at critical moments.
Across the conference sessions, speakers challenged delegates to understand influence not merely as personal success, but as a responsibility to shape systems, build institutions and preserve Kingdom purpose across generations.
Apostle Okoh framed the conference as a call to maturity, responsibility and structural relevance. He emphasised that believers are called not only to spiritual devotion, but also to meaningful participation in the economic, cultural and leadership structures that shape society.
A highlight of the conference was the ministry of Apostle Grace Lubega, who taught extensively on the concept of “threshold stewards”. His message positioned believers as strategic stewards between seasons — people who can discern timing, carry responsibility and use their credibility, resources and influence to serve divine purpose when it matters most.
In his teaching on “The Threshold Stewards of God’s Redemptive Cycles”, Lubega urged the Church to rise to higher levels of discernment, execution and structural leadership. He challenged attendees to think beyond moments of inspiration and begin building with the wisdom, clarity and discipline required to influence systems.
Pastor Bolaji Idowu also ministered during the conference, with sessions focused on expanding mental, leadership and operational capacity. His messages addressed the need for believers to develop the mindset, maturity and practical competence required to manage responsibility at higher levels.
Reverend Julian Kyula brought a strong focus on structural expansion, financial readiness and sustainable Kingdom partnerships. His sessions spoke directly to leaders and professionals preparing for greater levels of influence, scale and institutional impact.
A recurring emphasis throughout EXCEL Conference 2026 was that spiritual power must be supported by wisdom, administration and maturity. Speakers noted that while spiritual power may open doors, sustained impact requires the capacity to manage what has been entrusted, build responsibly and remain effective over time.
The conference also addressed the need to break stagnation, particularly among career builders, leaders and believers who may have lost momentum or fallen behind their intended timelines. The sessions provided prophetic direction and practical insight for regaining pace, strengthening execution and stepping into renewed strategic alignment.
Running alongside the main conference was the Kingdom Builders Business Forum, which served as a dedicated marketplace activation for entrepreneurs, executives, investors and business professionals. While EXCEL Conference focused on spiritual alignment and apostolic instruction, the Kingdom Builders platform gave practical expression to the Joseph of Arimathea Mandate through business-focused conversations on enterprise, wealth structures, capital readiness and institutional development.
Together, EXCEL Conference 2026 and the parallel Kingdom Builders Business Forum reinforced a clear message: believers are called to occupy strategic spaces, steward influence with wisdom and build structures that serve both kingdom purpose and societal transformation.
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